Bluebell’s time out

Bluebell has had a peaceful summer, chilling out by herself although within sight of the rest of the herd. It’s richly deserved too. From what I have been able to find out, she spent many years being worked very hard in a riding school before being purchased by Paula, her previous owner, when the riding school closed down. She had an easier life with Paula who rode her in between having her own children. Once she was ready to ride again more seriously, Paula put Bluebell in foal and after Katie was born, put her back in foal and sold them to me. With the proceeds, Paula bought a lovely riding horse.

Since being with me, Bluebell has been kept busy taking care of Katie and then Annie, who was born here with us. Last summer, free of maternal duties, she kept Chelsea company for much of the time she was in recovering from her tendon injury. Bluebell volunteered for this. I found her standing outside Chelsea’s barn several days in a row and so started to give her some hay and thus the routine began. She wintered out as usual and then kept Chelsea company once more when she was first turned out in the spring. When we put all the mares together in the smaller summer pasture, we noticed that Bluebell was being pushed around by the others, the last thing she deserved,  and so we decided to give her her own little paddock.

She has loved that. At first she was happy just to graze. I tried to spend a little while with her each day but she wasn’t really interested so I just let her be. Now she is delighted to have any amount of attention and we are gradually bringing her back into work. She will just be my steady hacking pony. In fact, she is the sweet little pony I always wanted as a little girl so I am sure we will find some suitably “little girl” things to do too!

It’s such a joy to see her looking so much brighter and enjoying attention once again. I don’t even mind that she can be quite mischievous these days. Hopefully she can now enjoy the rest of her life here, with days of hard work firmly behind her.