Eli the Nanny Horse?

What's a Nanny Horse? We were wondering what Eli would be like with foals or yearlings. Seems he's pretty good. He does chase them around periodically, but now seeing that he also takes naps with them, I'm pretty sure he's just playing. Can't wait for him to meet Ella's foal.

May 11, 2013

Jesse went for his second ride on Eli outside. All went well until I lost my footing trying to put the bridle on Ella (just to keep the familiarity) and she took off. She had the halter around her neck and lead line (I didn't have the bridle on, or the reins around her neck)

I tried to hang on, but having list my balance I was only rushing towards host as if I had the intention to attack - therefore she tried to get some distance between us and when I realized this (as I was stumbling) I thought it best to let her go, that and the fact ages incredibly strong and wasn't helping me recover my footing.

When I let go she half trotted, half cantered away which caught Eli's attention. Head up, ears forward he changes leads from a walk to a trott then to a canter. Jesse maintained composure, he stayed in the saddle and when Eli was close enough he came to a stop. At which point Ella came 'directly to me' - so I'd like to think, but I'm pretty sure she came over to Eli, I was thankful - saved me trying to catch her in the pasture. So I slipped her halter back on and Jesse continued riding.

Few things we have to work on,Jesse's got some ground work to do with Eli to correct his lack of responding, when he pulled back and said woah, he should have came to a halt. Secondly, him and I both have to practice our trot and build confidence, it was in this gait Jesse thought he was going to fall of - I can see that as I usually feel the same way, except when I get a good Rhythym in a post.

Goofy Eli

After taking Eli out to graze with Ella we put them back in their paddocks for the night and fed them their Beet Pulp mash. Eli gets really excited and tosses his head around like someone head banging at a concert, haha. Silly guy!

Enjoying the spring grass..

Went to the barn the other day, brought both Eli and Ella out of their paddocks to grave on the grass along the drive way. They did good, Eli got a bit excited to see Ella, but when I brought her over to say Hi she pinned her ears and made him walk away ~ after that he didn't bother.

Was quite enjoyable and relaxing, we are really looking forward to some nice spring weather and Ella should be due soon.

Check out the shadow her belly casts in the picture below:

Update: Ella April 14, 2013

Sunday we were out at the Stable, did our routine chores, brought Eli in for a good brushing and some lunging and turn-out in the arena. After we brought Ella in, brushed and brushed and brushed her, I think she quite enjoyed it. Hoof picked her feet, hung out with her in the barn for a bit, then brought her in the arena for turn-out. I re-braided her tail and will wrap the top tonight or tomorrow when we are back out.

She doesn't seem to look much bigger to me, her muscles near her tail are soft and jiggly and her stomach was gurgling a making sloshing sounds quite a bit - BUT I'm no expert that's for sure.

I just found out one of the four mares foaled over the weekend. If I'm not mistaken there was Ella, two others and a fourth mare that were all bred around the same time. The other two haven't foaled yet, so Ella seems to be on scheduled.

Here are some pictures I took Sunday:

Seven tips for helping your horses weather a brutal winter

Horse Sense & Cents Blog

Farrier Appointment ~ April 7, 2013

They did really well considering there were so many people in the barn and they came in separately.

The forge was broken so unfortunately Eli didn't get his front hooves shod. Probably for the best as the ground was still frozen and muddy. I'm second questing whether he should have them on out at pasture