The Pony Diaries: A long weekend!

We've had Scarpa visiting all weekend and the poor sod had to experience Juniblest's increasingly hard life.. My barefoot trimmer Lucy Priory told me that to get Juniblest's body to use the sugar he's getting through the grass rather than storing it he needs to get his pulse up above 80bpm for 30 mins at least 5 days every week! I'm not exactly sure when this happens but I've taken his heart rate once after some 'power trot' and it was just above 80 - which means he should canter or trot very fast for at least 30 mins at least 5 days every week. 30 mins of canter equals 5miles ish - I've hacked out with the GPS again you see ;)

So poor Scarpa had to run for about 6 miles Friday, 3 miles ish Saturday and 6 miles + again on Sunday. He didn't seem to mind too much except when he got a lesson from one of the forest ponies he tried to encourage to play with him. He hurt his pride quite a lot and left the ponies alone for the rest of his holiday/boot camp..

But hey! This is Juniblest's diary!

Not much to say, though, apart from him being a star with the dog. I'm working on teaching Scarpa to jump up with his front legs to make it easier for me to clip the lead on and off from horseback and Juniblest doesn't even look to see what's going on. I honestly believe that pony is genuinly fond of dogs and when I'm getting my own in the future it's partly because I know it would make a dream come true for him as well.. =)

And clipping him again payed off as he can now work harder for longer without getting too hot. I did mess up his face, but he'll need a clip again in about two weeks anyway so I can get it right then. Maybe I'll try some 'clip art'? Like stars and hearts and stuff..

This is why he needs a clip quite often - this is one month of growth!

Scarpa is doing all he can to get Juniblest to move, but Juniblest is having lunch - thank you very much!

Harmony...

...but only until Juniblest wants to take a look at the furry fella and Scarpa lives up to his name.

'Oh sh*t! Scarpa!'

New haircut! And a tired Juniblest - babysitting is hard work for ponies..

Juniblest is taking his new job seriously. I can leave them like this with the stable door open while I go and get bridle, helmet, boots etc =)

Training him to stand has made my life so much easier! We have a gate even I won't ride through and getting him to wait for me as I close it saves me some hassle ;)