Barney's Bath Day

After having time off for my foot to not to be so broken Barney is back in training. Rump roped and ready to go! Ended up giving him a bit of a bath. Next time will get the shampoo out on him. Finally getting him used to having his back legs handled so will be able to sort out his mud fever. Vicious circle of sore legs so not letting me touch them and because I can't touch them (and treat them) they are more sore!

Anyway dead proud of my big boy! He copes with new things so well!

The Show

Two weeks ago I took my little brumby to The Canterbury A & P Show. "The Show" as it's known is a big agricultural and pastoral event every year in Christchurch (though every area has small ones, this is the biggie. It's a three day event where the country comes to town. This year was the 150th anniversary of the show. Clydesdales were to play a big part in the show as they would have been a big feature 150 years ago. 

I had three days off work (the Friday of the week is a provincial holiday) to prepare and attend. Tuesday was spent rushing about cleaning my little Kristin. Thank goodness I did so much as it obviously paid off. We placed 6th in the line up for presentation. Rather amazing and I have to thank three lovely ladies for helping me with her tail, without them I would not have placed. They helped me put in traditional tail spikes (I can't remember their name though!) The judge said that I would have placed higher if her mane was braided (which they do in Australia for 2 year olds) but I said she would be next year.

We also placed coming 3rd in the 2 year olds class and came 7th (so missed a ribbon) in the walking class. The judge commented that I walk faster than her but that will be easier when she gets bigger :)

 

Unfortunately my show was cut short by short by an accident with Barney when I came home to feed him. Leaving me in hospital with a broken toe and my friend looking after Kristin at the show. I don't want to talk about that now though... It's still in cast!

  

I am very proud of Kristin and look forward to doing it all again next year!

Introducing Barney...

So I now have two lovely Clydesdales in the paddock... Meet Barney. He is a lovely gentle 4 year old gelding with a big white face. Though he is older than little Kristin he still has a lot to learn. He's been well handled but not had many lesson so he still gets scared by simple things like being tied up. He wasn't too good at getting his feet picked up but now he is a lot more comfortable with it (though currently not his hind offside which he has taken a chunk out of while playing with Kristin and it's a bit sore...)

He's now confident having a cover put on but needs a lot more handling round his mouth as he does not like hands being held on his muzzle, though he is getting much better. This may take a bit of a back step when the dentist comes to visit!!!