Fair

Some enforced idleness since the beginning of the week.

Both Dads have been quite busy off the yard for several days and have only had time for their essential daily tasks - our stables, haynets, water, feeds, grooming, turning-out, bringing-in, medication and plying with minties and apples on demand - usual sort of thing - rather than any schooling.

Richard, the farrier shod Dibby and me on Wednesday and Dad administered some Sedalin from the vets to Dibbs. When Dibbs had relaxed sufficiently, Dad cleansed his troublesome undercarriage. As ever, he took a while to go under, but did so eventually. He also took an age to come round, but rested quietly in his stable until he was fully awake and eventually could rejoin me in the field.

To complete a perfect day, we were wormed that evening. I demonstrated my personal dislike of Equest by spitting some of it back at Dad together with three extra strong mints. Everyone is entitled to a point of view.

With the swelling caused by what appeared to be some insect bites and this periodic maintenance, Dibbs has had an uncomfortable week. He has also seemed more sore in his joints and Dad has increased his Danilon, pending a further examination by the vets shortly.

Dad has also had to continue bathing my sheath daily since I am still kicking myself. All in all, it's not really surprising that there hardly seems enough time to ride sometimes with all these chores.

Today we grazed and came in at four just before the rain which is predicted for the Bank Holiday weekend. Dad hopes we may be able to fit in a session in the school between the showers and forecast cold northerlies. I hope so too; it only seems fair. Cobs "do" " fair."

Tuesday morning school

Spring Sunday lesson with Fran

Spring Saturday school

Rather high maintenance

As planned, we schooled this morning. We spent forty minutes or so working large in walk and trot with lots of transitions. I was pretty stiff to begin but eventually loosened and put in some better work. Afterwards I joined Dibby in the field. The rubble was being removed from next door but we concentrated on the grass. When we came in Dibby's sheath was a little swollen. Dad bathed it as he had mine this morning and thought it might have been the result of an insect bite. Dibbs didn't seem to be in undue discomfort and Both Dads will decide in the morning if further action is needed. Cobs and their sheaths seem rather high maintenance just now.

Coping

A restful day. Other Dad had business in Solihull, so Dad came and attended to us alone this morning. This involved bathing me and syringing Dibby's mouth as well as the usual grooming. We went out to graze whilst Dad got on with our stables and had plenty of time for the Spring grass and mutual grooming. Dad had hoped to be able to ride this evening but it didn't work out and schooling is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I coped with the disappointment - as a cob should.

Shetland nap

Pleased

Another sunny day out in the field without rugs. After the demolition work on Thursday, Friday and Saturday the digger moved rubble around and wood was burned on Sunday. There was no work today and it was quiet.

When we came in at four Dad took me in the school for the first time since our lesson. We worked in walk and trot large and in circles practising softening and rounding and upwards and downwards and halt transitions. Dad worked on his position, breathing and riding without a crop. We worked for half an hour or so and came in for grooming and tea. We hope we can get in some more schooling to make up for lost time before our next lesson on Sunday. Other Dad said I looked pleased to be back in work with my ears forward and tracking well. Cobs don't have a monopoly on being right.

Over the fence

One thing at a time

An interesting week. The demolition of the white house next to our field was fixed for Tuesday, but was deferred until Thursday.

Sundry JCBs arrived and work in earnest started on Thursday. I was fairly sanguine about the demolition, but this coincided with another large piece of plant hauling a heavy roller around the yard. This was the roller I had initially taken against so markedly when parked next to the school in my lesson with Fran last Sunday. Yesterday, it also had a revolving brush attached to the front to sweep up at considerable speed, noise and dustiness in preparation for the clinic today. Although Dibbs and Cricket more or less ignored it, this resulted in my becoming anxious, snorting and leaping about and being a tad difficult to bring in. Dad found this challenging with the yard gates open for the construction traffic. Fortunately, I was eventually persuaded to come in without actually visiting Lapworth and was put straight into my stable to calm and then have my tea.

Today I grazed all day with Dibby and Cricket and watched the partial demolition including the chimney coming down and only ran away once. I came in very calmly, which shows that it was really only the sweeping machine that worried me unduly yesterday.

After the clinic today, Dad hopes we may be able to school tomorrow. Cobs usually try to be stoical about new experiences, but realistically perhaps can only really be expected to be brave about one thing at a time.

Spring sun and JCBs