Well as most of you know I finished the project at the University of Leeds at Christmas and started work full time in my physical therapy business KB Equine Therapy . Well after some nifty business planning I hope to be very busy towards the end of the year. What to do with Darcie? Now you see Darcie loves to work but I work evenings and weekends so what am I to do? Should I just try to fit her in as best I can whilst feeling guilty.. Hang on.. always wanted to try breeding.. now there's an opportunity so the idea began to form..
Now you need to understand that whilst I have a great deal of knowledge on horse care, lameness and back conditions, mud fever, nutrition, horse and rider biomechanics, etc , etc breeding is something I know nothing about. Where to start?? I roped in two of my good friends Kate Fallaize (who has done it but by AI (artificial insemination for those of you that didn't know) and Amanda Donkin (who has gone down the natural route). Amanda immediately sent me home armed with a pile of books. Well there you go thats the support network set up!!!
Next talk to the Vet.. Now my vet Richard Sutcliffe from Bishopton vets, Ripon has known team Darcie since the beginning. He has even picked said rider up when team Darc decided to behave like an idiot at the Bogs Hall Stables adult Gymkhana. Much to the amusement of Becky (equine receptionist) I booked a cup of tea appointment to pick his brains and to see if he thought I was a total idiot.
"What are your reasons?" he asked over his tea
"Well I just want to have a go and its this year or never as Darcie has just gone 14. If it doesn't happen its fine, or if something goes wrong then it was not meant to be. If we get a horse thats got no potential once its weaned it will have a home with me.If we get a horse with potential we all know I am not the rider to bring it on to its full potential so we will find said rider, maybe at that point we might need to sell for the best for the horse. Who know's? The foal (if we get that far) will be what it will be."
"Well you're doing it for the right reasons" said he "The only thing I worry about is her temperament" Well there he is right. She has been known to flip her lid and eject her rider and if you don't keep a watchful eye on her when she is in a particular bit of her cycle you can have a great look at her teeth usually leaving their mark on your buttocks! Not funny if you are on the receiving end! "Well" said I if I were to analyse her personality then she only (No really) does have a 5% quirk. Lets swab her then..
Darcie was an absolute angel and never bothered. She then stood between us licking my hand whilst we discussed stallions.. Never had I been so glad that my mare showed her 95% loving and affectionate side of her personality.
Richard suggested Arcie (Away with the Faeries), NES Sports Horses and that we get her covered in March/April so that the foal would be born at a better warmer time of the year and Darcie could go up and be covered and then come home again less stress for her.. and so the wait began...
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