Solstice

This three year old mare by Chocolate is a real character.
She is fascinated by cars and people, and immediately she spots either walks boldy up to investigate. now my method of stopping the horses eating my car is to use the windscreen washers, but she couldn't care less, in fat she pokes her nose in the spray!
She will be leaving us next Spring and I will miss her terribly, she's one of those horses who makes a big impression on you, and I envy the owner the future she will have, I bet she will be the most fantastic competition horse. (oh and I wish I hadn't sold her!!!!)

Solstice and Izzie.

I'll have to get the topper out!

The thistles have gone mad this year, but the horses like nibbling the tops off them so we don't remove them completely.
In this pic, Galaxy (2 year old) Solstice (3 year old) and Isabella, also three , all by Harpers Bornival.

two newbies

This pair have come for a few months' holiday whilst their owner recovers from an operation. They are slowly mixing in but as you can see, also keeping their distance.

Fighting to be boss

The herd heirarchy has changed with the death of two of the top ones, so there is some argy bargying going on. I think this pic demonstrates really well how some are submissive and others argue their way to the top.. The coloured mare used to be very low down the herd, now she's virtually the top after some years.

Echo from the past...

Honyton Michael ap Braint. Taken one day after a schooling session.

Why is he dressed up like that?

because we are about to lead the local carnival procession yet again! It takes place in narrow streets with balloon waving kids, this year three marching bands and two groups on trailers playing live, and numerous floats including a dancing cake...Even worse was a steam lorry which hissed and spat at you..
Chocx got a bit agitated half way through, not because of the crowds, but because he has to walk so slowly stopping every few yards whilst the walkers catch up.
It says something about his temperament that he copes with this doesn't it...

A lone stallion facing the crowds..

Closely followed by the Scots Pipers...

WI float

This was so funny, 8 middle aged to slightly older ladies from the local WI carrying the slices of cake, the cook dressed as Mrs Beeton blew her whistle and they all came together as a proper cake, sang Happy Birthday then danced off again. I helped lift all of them off when they stopped for a rest, how they carried them for almost an hour and a half I can't imagine..

Close encounters with a boat!

Horse frightener!

Harper's Bornival (Chocolate)

This was Chocx third from last fence and loving every minute of it! He ended up second despite a 19.5 dressage score. (winner was on 19.1 Grrrrr! )

HB (Chocolate) Nutwell Court

Harper's Bornival

Leo, looking better!

The restricted movement seems to have worked though I feel ashamed of the mare, she has lost so much weight... the vet is still asking me not to feed her up so she will just have to manage, but she's going to have to have supplementary feed once he's weaned.
Haven't his legs improved?

Leo

Leo

Leo

Leo August 2008