Stephen Gowling

Bishop Auckland, United Kingdom

Englishman trying to ride western!

09 May 14:26

So glad you have enjoyed it, a fantastic country with some great culture, reckon next year I will have to get you over here for a few days!

Richard Boatwright Bonjour Richard, she’s doing brilliant thanks, back in season and annoying the geldings!

Had her in the round pen doing a bit of light work and loving it, she’s new to the code but sharp as a knife on it.

Going to do some more work on the softness and see which saddle fits her and give her a ride out soon. 

Thank you for asking

Thank you Lynn, much appreciated 

Thank you so much, a rough few days but I’m so glad the mare is OK and I worked her today for the first time and she loved it and looks very happy so that does make it all much easier to deal with. 

Well Richard Boatwright I think we have a very resilient mare on our hands here, she has just slotted back into top dog role immediately, a real spring in her step, she looks and is acting so relaxed and happy that we are astounded to be honest, milk is drying up and she has tucked back up nicely. 

No stressing or anxiety that we can detect, so much so that I will work the code with her tomorrow (she escaped it so far as she was with foal!!) 

A bath and a clip coming up and a bit of pampering is called for.

Thank you mate, yes we have lived every moment of it, all that time and then bang taken away, I’m not an emotional guy generally but today got to me, I was so looking forward to our first foal that I could mould from the start and not inherit other people’s mistakes and mishandling and produce the best horse I could. 

Reply

Thanks Richard, she has been out for some grass and passed the placenta so we’re relieved about that, lots of rest coming up for her over the next few days in the paddock back with the herd reestablishing her place at the top of pecking order I suspect, may keep her mind occupied, just need to refocus ours! 

Posted

02 May 05:02

😔 Unfortunately our much anticipated first foal arrived in the early hours of the morning today and we arrived shortly after (cameras) to find it unresponsive as the sack had not broken and it suffocated, absolutely heartbroken to say the least, she was a big filly and colour exactly as we wanted, the wish list was ticked in all aspects.

As sad as it is my thoughts now turn to Angel the mum, can I draw on collective experience of how to proceed in terms of occupying her, bringing her back into work, conditioning her etc

She was ridden lightly before been in foal by myself 

thoughts would be appreciated as this was our first and only foal we have bred and have no knowledge. 

Richard Boatwright really appreciate your input on this also please 

12

I changed my ropes to a 6mm polypropylene rope (cheap from a builders merchant) and it’s far better and releases pressure very quickly but enough to give them clear instructions/bump 

Richard Boatwright Fantastic Sir, enjoying the weather, working the kids and I suppose doing my real job 🤣🤣

hope all is good at HQ and your getting sorted for France!Â