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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 21, 2010 22:18:04 GMT 1
My attempts at photography do not do Holly justice, Jutta... Attachments:
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 21, 2010 22:26:53 GMT 1
And she is only very little... This is her with her rescuer, Sue, who told me today that she was once broken to ride and carry a lead rein child, but goodness knows how long ago. Watched her moving today, and she is very straight in her action. A real little sweetheart, and once she loses her winter woolies, and gets a glossy, summer coat, she will be a picture. She was born in 1989, btw. Sound, fit, healthy etc., now and very hardy little one. Very friendly and sweet natured, despite having been used as a breeding machine for years. The owner is desperate that she will never go back to that. Attachments:
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Post by petdesigns on Mar 25, 2010 7:59:07 GMT 1
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 25, 2010 11:49:38 GMT 1
At the moment, she has two other little mares as companions, Jutta - Bronnie, in the picture below, and Ethan's pony, Daisy, but she often seems to choose to be on her own. Bronnie appears to be the one in the field who shares her time/pushes her attention between the other two. Bron is very pushy and will share haynets or bucket feeds with either, and give them no choice in the matter, so Holly is usually taken out of the field for her rations, as she likes to take her time eating. (Bron's just like a vacuum cleaner with hers, despite getting extra chaff to slow her down.) Holly and Daisy (the grumpy one) are rarely together. I don't think Holly would mind her own company too much if she was receiving plenty of exclusive human attention, and have other animal/bird species around for interest and company. She often goes off on her own to do her own thing. What she wouldn't want, in my opinion, is too much rich grass. She might even need restricted grazing in spring to avoid her piling on too much weight or risking laminitis. She's gained a fair bit of weight and condition over this last winter, and since her last foal was weaned last autumn. BTW, she's already been in season this year, so isn't in foal again, as we wondered about at one point because of her shape/weight gain. She's been posing in front of Bronnie in the way a mare does to a stallion! I guess Bronnie's bossy behaviour and chunky build may have fooled Holly into thinking she can 'help' her? Attachments:
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 26, 2010 2:10:08 GMT 1
Needed to test the photo attachments, so here's one of Merlyn looking out at Holly from his stable. If you visit, Jutta, you can ride him if your back will allow. Attachments:
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 26, 2010 2:15:18 GMT 1
Still testing photo download problem. I couldn't see the photo, and when I clicked on the .jpg link, I got an advert for coffee! Can someone please tell me what they can see, thanks. Attachments:
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Post by petdesigns on Mar 26, 2010 20:00:57 GMT 1
You mean riding Merlyn, the one who occasionally plays tricks with his rider?? Are you mad? Stupid question - of course you are, you still ride him every now and then...
*** the little coward runs off and hides *****
Martin says NO to lovely Holly snif. But I'll look around here if I can find a good home for her!!! She is just soooo gorgeous! (Of course if peeps would want to sponsor her I could keep her at a very nice yard opposite our field... (*cheeky grin*))
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 26, 2010 20:26:54 GMT 1
Merlyn just likes to try it on a bit to keep his riders awake or ensure they ride properly. With a novice who doesn't use their seat... he stands still and/or eats grass/trees. With a more experienced rider, he waits until their guard is down or they are not paying full attention and keeping a contact, and then spots a nasty monster in the bushes and shies. Sometimes he sets off like a worn out old trekking pony, and dragging his toes, then the moment he turns towards home, he gets on his toes, starts jogging, and becomes like a different horse! The trick is to humour him, not allow him to get away with his tricks and he soon gives up trying them on. He's a right old character.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 26, 2010 21:46:53 GMT 1
the problem now seems to be sorted out at last. Jutta, just look at that picture of Merlyn, and what a kind face he has... How could you run away from the old chap? Actually, he is really good in the stable these days. Even does his dung in the same place before kicking it around rolling. Think he's realised he can't put the walls or door frames out in this new stable, so has given up trying and just covers the corners in hair when rubbing his winter coat out on them.
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Post by RuthE on Mar 26, 2010 21:52:18 GMT 1
I just did a double take when I saw that photo. When did Merlyn's face go so dark? That pic reminds me so much of Storm.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 26, 2010 22:09:32 GMT 1
He goes through a brief stage of that colour every year, Ruth, and as his winter coat is coming out. He's that same dark dun shade as Storm was on his shoulders and neck now, too. If you have a comparable photo of his dad, please post it on here. Thanks.
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Post by RuthE on Mar 26, 2010 22:14:48 GMT 1
I don't have any on the computer, but will see if I can scan some in when Ed is home and I can use his computer.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 26, 2010 22:19:28 GMT 1
See the difference a few months can make in his winter colour, and when he's losing that coat. He'll be different again in a few weeks, and once the summer coat's through properly. Attachments:
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Post by RuthE on Mar 27, 2010 18:39:23 GMT 1
I've had a look for my old photos and can't find many of them. A shame as I know I had a headshot of Storm which looked so similar to that one of Merlyn. I have a suspicion I must have a box of photos in the loft somewhere. However I have found a few which I will scan in for you, not just of Storm either.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 27, 2010 20:04:13 GMT 1
Thanks, Ruth.
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Post by petdesigns on Mar 29, 2010 20:56:29 GMT 1
How can I visit you without 'stuffing' Holly in my car and risking a divorce??
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 29, 2010 23:16:38 GMT 1
Hypnosis, perhaps, Jutta? ;D She's not much bigger than a Gt. Dane, you know, so perhaps Martin could be hypnotised into thinking her one? Or maybe a lawnmower? ... Ah! What about calling her an organic fertilizer producer?
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 29, 2010 23:23:31 GMT 1
Need to test something on this machine, so hoping you'll be able to see this photo Ruth took of Merlyn's sire, Rathenny Storm below, and if it works and doesn't crash my system again... Attachments:
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Mar 29, 2010 23:36:07 GMT 1
This is one of Ruth's showing her riding the old stallion and back in the late 80s / early 1990s (?) - how time flies! He was born in 1970, and I had him in 1973. Merlyn is older now than his father was when that photo was taken! Attachments:
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Post by RuthE on Mar 30, 2010 8:02:03 GMT 1
The prancing pony himself - do you suppose he wanted to get a move on there instead of posing for a photo? It would have been 1991/1992
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