Re-training the Blog!

It’s a long while since this blog posted anything. Life, work, family, and, of course, ex-racehorses, so often take up more time than you expect, and the pure fun-stuff, like blogging, slips off the to-do list for another day…. Suddenly years have gone by! Some people said not to resurrect ‘Ex-racehorse Life’, just start a whole new blog. But why? The subject would be the same. And new readers might be interested in some of the earlier posts here, old though they are. So – here we go again.

For older readers, here’s an update on some old friends. Most of the horses, over time, went out into the big wide world to do other, non-racing jobs, just as planned. And, thankfully, I’ve been able to keep in touch with all of them and they have all been successful. As the saying goes, ‘Horses leave hoofprints on your heart’ – and sometimes they even come back to retrace their steps!

Beautiful Miraed went to a new home to do showjumping and hunting, as well as showing. Now aged fourteen, and still full of beans, she has recently found a new, less busy ‘happy hacking’ home, and is cosily settled in a livery yard just round the corner! Small world.

Dara finally got his back issues sorted – apparently it all stemmed from an old injury no-one had known about. He is now enjoying life with his new ‘Mum’ winning showing classes and doing Le Trec.

Magic went to a horse-ology college, to help train students. Four days after arrival he threw a wobbly and dislodged the instructor riding him, who broke a wrist. Magic got expelled, as ‘unsafe for students’ – which is ironic because he was always the kindest, gentlest horse who just loved people. (Except for that instructor, obviously!) Magic is now teaching novices to ride and doing wonderful RDA work with youngsters who have various disabilities. The kids all adore him, and he loves all the fuss they give him. Just goes to show…

Count finally got the hang of circles, and grasped the concept of self-carriage. ( Well, almost, some of the time.) He has successfully taken part in several lengthy Charity and Fun Rides, and is now also doing well showing at local shows. Although, at one show last year he threw an almighty buck and deposited his rider  onto the deck. The class, incidentally, was called ‘Ideal Partners’ – LOL!  Which all proves that retraining racehorses is more of an art than a science, and in some cases - eg Count! – is always a Work In Progress.

Big H is sixteen now, and doesn’t do much at all except keep an eye on young horses that come to the farm. He takes his Herd Leader duties very seriously, and gives each newcomer to the field a pep-talk on the house rules before allowing them to graze and, eventually, to try a bit of respectful mutual grooming. H is also very protective of people. If any of the youngsters start getting too boisterous or bargie, H will place himself between them and the humans – and the young four-leggeds know to keep their distance! Ex-racehorses can be re-trained for many things, and most of them can happily do more than one new job -  but becoming a Knight In Shining Armour  surely takes a VERY special ex-racer indeed!