A very sad day

Today was a very, very sad day at the CEEC. The instructors were very upset. It was sad because Charlie Mouse had to be put to sleep. Nicky was told that this would happen a few weeks ago but she decided that he deserved some more time when all he did was eat and be in the paddock. He had a condition called Laminitis which he has had all his life. The CEEC have managed him very well and ensured that his weight was just right as being at all overweight can cause attacks of Laminitis. In the end, Mouse was in so much pain that he could not walk properly and so the vet said that it was time for him to go.

No-one was sure how old Mouse was. We think that he was about 30. He has had a very long and happy life and I know that he loved all the children at the CEEC. He will be deeply missed by all of us and will be impossible to replace.

I do not think that I can tell you much more about today so I will come back tomorrow. We all need to think of Charlie Mouse galloping around, pain free in horse heaven – I am guessing that this is miles of fields and acres of carrots. Everyone needs to think happy thoughts about Mouse.

Must be short of horses

So the madness is truly back – as is the pollution.

The CEEC is now back is full swing and the instructors and horses are now working flat out again. There are lots of new staff around – they all look the same to me so I don’t really notice but I heard the office talking about it. Arlene is in the office (she strokes me so I like her). Christian and Ali are new to the yard – they both have whiskers growing on top of their mouth so I am not sure which is which – it’s very odd that humans want to grow whiskers like us felines………….

I think the human Lyndsey went a big bonkers this afternoon. Instead of giving the kids in her lesson a pony each, she made them both ride the same one. Here is a picture to prove it. I bet the parents demand their money back which means I will only get dry food ……………..not quite true but makes it sound dramatic. They even had to stand up on poor Maggie who pretended she was enjoying herself.

I am thrilled that I have a HUGE playground to hang out in now that the government have finally listened to me and closed the CEEC drop off car park – don’t tell them it was me or I will be in sssssssssooooooo much trouble. The bad news is that they are desperately trying to get it re-opened as we are causing more traffic on the road and being super un-environmentally aware. I feel a bit guilty as the whole office seem to be a little touchy on the subject ….. oops.

So, tell your friends about me and let me know if you would like to write on this blog any day – it’s always nice to have time off when you work as hard as me. I am flat out for 4 hours I am awake every day and no-one appreciates it……..except you lot of course.

Poor old Goliath was todays Horseball victim!

Need to have a nap now as exhausted after writing all this.

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goliath plays ball

horseball and other things

Ooohhhhh it is so nice to have you all back. I have really missed you all. Did you bring any presents?????

Things have been busy now that everyone is coming back from their Summer holidays.

Yesterday, there was great excitement as two men came from China. They are Horseball players . It is a very interesting game and Antonio and Comanche were pretty impressive – they did the demonstration and they have never, ever played. Victoria fell off trying which is always entertaining. Nothing you kids love more than an instructor on the floor. Actually, I have to be a feline gentleman and say she was pretty awesome. It is not the easiest game when you are a human with huge paws and no claws but somehow they managed……………..if what I heard is true, you are all going to learn to play and there is a huge match in November.

This is going to be hours of entertainment…………..

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horseball 007

some great pictures

What a huge week. Farewells, hellos, tears, smiles…..I’m exhausted.

First off – take a look at Finn Paisley who obviously needs a few more lessons to understand that this is not a horse – I’m not sure what it is but I do know that those things would make an awesome scratch pole….

There is also a fantastic picture of Jacqueline in the USA and Islay in the UK. Both look pretty cool.

We said a really sad farewell to Shirley Lee – shown below with Flick who she had a very special relationship with – I think that Flick is quite sad.

I hope you enjoy these pictures. If you have any of yourself on horses (or other creatures) – do send to me and I will pop on my blog.

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shirley

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islay

Blog by Caileigh and Francesca

Hi this is Francesca and Caileigh reporting to you today, Jimmy had us fill in today because it really was too hot and he is having a lazy moment! Today was super busy at the CEEC stables, along with normal lessons there was a show jumping camp. The show jumping camp improved your technique and style for show jumping and had many participants.

Unfortunately there also was a few injured horses, William was turned out and got kicked by another horse and has got a big cut on his right hind leg. Also Spike has been infected with cellulitis which is a type of major infection that makes his leg swell to double size. We hope they get better soon!

However despite the horses who were poorly the other horses really enjoyed being turned out and spent most of the morning galloping about, especially Survey King who was turned out with Tubby. We saw many cheerful but very hot and red faces when the lessons had finished after thoroughly enjoying their lessons.

In our lesson with Sarah we did grid work and this consisted of three bounce jumps and then one stride to an upright, the bounce jumps had a huge effect on our horses because it made them really pick up their feet. Grid work also improves their jumping shape and puts them back on their hind legs ready for the last upright. In our lesson Tom showed huge enthusiasm towards the jumps and really looked like he was enjoying himself. Percy was a completely different horse when the jumps went up and absolutely loved it. In the beginning Maggie was a little bit slow but by the end of the lesson she was zooming around the big paddock. Blaizer was really lifting up his feet and didn’t even touch any of the poles despite the heat it did not tire him out. What a great lesson, thanks Sarah!

Here are a few fun photos from today’s show jumping camp, Spikes swollen legs and a few other happy horses!

Jimmy said that if you ever want to help him put and write a blog, let Nicky know and she’ll arrange it.

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poor spike

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Great photos

It poured with rain yesterday and those crazy horses thought it was great ………….. very odd but I have to admit it was fun watching them (from the safety of a very dry office!). Here are some pretty cool pictures of Tubby and Spike. First of they are splashing so much Spike’s boot comes off – look how guilty they look. Then Spike starts to show off trying to look handsome while playing with the water and then Tubby pushes him out of the way and has a fantastic roll in the puddle. Tubby wins!

oops my boot

my splash

tubby swimming

Okay I’m bored now

I really want everyone to come home now. Most of the instructors are on holiday so there is no major gossip here ………Lyndsey and Rachelle have had their Mums here so they have been all happy which is nice – I would like them if they didn’t have those horrid dogs.

Something funny happened today. Oscar is quite naughty sometimes and he always gives the grooms a really hard time when they go to catch him if he has been turned out in the paddock. They are supposed to leave his head-collar on and they always forget and so Louise or Nicky have to go and catch him. Today, he was super rude when Nicky went to catch him so she told everyone to leave him in the paddock with no hay and wait until he asked to come in. Every so often she would try to catch him again and if he was rude and put his ears back, she put the head-collar down and left him. He got a bit fed up with this and after about an hour and a half, he decided he wanted to come in. On the 4th or 5th try, he was sweet as you like – ears forward and in he came. It was interesting. Being an intelligent animal myself, I could see that Oscar worked it out and decided if he were to win over this irritating human, he had to pretend to be nice. I’ve been doing it for years – as a result, I am very well fed because all the humans think I’m gorgeous (obviously I am!!!!!!).

Can you guys send me some pictures of your holidays. Here’s one of good Oscar!

See you soon