Pumpkin Carving!

A homage to Treacle the mule!

Halloween...

There will be no trick and treating for the foals this year as their dressing up box went to Mark's gran for a party last night.  Hope I'm this cool when I'm 92!  

Chamfron Yolanda - 17 Months Old

Morello having a fuss!

Rugs On!

Started to rug up the main herd, a full month later than last year and it was probably still too warm for them today but the forecast for the weekend is heavy rain and then cold and clear next week.  Stela was helping and teaching the yearlings to do the same, leading to a complete sense of humour failure when I got thumped around the head by an escaping Erica.  Two more rugs ordered as Mable's backside is hanging out of hers and poor Bridget didn't fit in any and is in a lightweight which I don't think is a great plan at this time of year.  

Bellini Weaned

We've had some torrential rain over the last few days so all the mares and foals are now in and Arrayan is making use of their field.  The lovely Bellini has been weaned ready to head way down South next month.  We decided to put down our elderly welsh driving mare Bubbles as she had struggled this summer despite the glorious dry weather.

Chamfron Ojo de Tigre leaves home.

First 2013 foal to leave home!  Tigger was  safely delivered to his new home with Lindsay Purves in Musselburgh this morning, he will be aimed at Le Trec in the future, possibly with a bit of showing in the meanwhile.  A very easy happy little horse, we'll miss him.

Perdita Weaned

We weaned Perdita last night and as you can see she isn't too worried, she is trying to camouflage the pink halter I put on her though!  

Tigger has been out for a leading lesson, getting all geared up to leave us on the weekend.

Tilley then leaves us on Monday so I had a wee sit on her today to check she was happy being ridden by someone other than Mark.  Lucky to have yet another lovely autumn day to keep getting jobs done.

Another Glorious Day!

It can't last...!!!

Another glorious evening, Marks been out harrowing the summer fields which is not something we normally get a chance to do in October.  

What a difference a year makes!

Fat and Furry...

That title should pick up some interesting Google searches...!  The main herd is enjoying this cold but dry weather, getting the benefit of the grass and growing good winter coats.  They are all looking well and some serious baby bellies are already very much in evidence.

Onwards and Upwards!

The main herd moved into the house field today, as they get older they are certainly getting less subtle.  You can tell a field move is in the offing about ten days before...  Treacle the mule will start to lean over the fence, if she catches you watching she will hop around a little next to it.  Then about a week later when you check the horses they will all look at the dividing gate pointedly, perhaps sigh a little, pick at a piece of mud or a twig while you are looking.  Finally this morning, they took one look at me and stormed to the gate...  "we will not be moved" so we opened it and let them through.

Checking the horses is now simple, Silks and I bounce over the garden fence, Wif runs round the garden at speed and Sheila just bulldozes a hole in the bottom of the fence like a wombat!

Kayreen's filly worked well and had her first canter (or lope as she's going to be a western horse!)

Started Weaning!

Tigger and Morello first!

Scottish Appaloosa Breed Show

I hadn't got a good photo of Betty (Chamfron Britannia) at the breed show so these ones of her and her sister Chamfron Snow Goose were taken by Adrian at Sinclair Photography.

Autumnal Red Squirrels.

Marks gran has seen lots of photos of the squirrels but not met them in the flesh so we went down to the reserve to see them this morning.  The young squirrels were very active, happily gathering peanuts and rushing off to bury them.