Vet visit

Today was vet visit day. Not for anything serious, but for both horses to have their flu & tetnus jabs, and for Amber to have her teeth checked.

Thought we might have fun catching them, but took the bucket of treats as it makes a good rattley noise. Despite the fact they were halfway across the field, they soon came cantering over. Managed to catch both of them fine and took them round by the dairy. Amber went into the stable and Blossom was tied up outside. Each had a haynet to keep them occupied, but both were quite happy looking at their surroundings. While waiting for the vet, I took Amber's rug off and and we gave them a quick groom.

Sheila decided to ride Solo, and typically needed to use the stable (despite the fact I had asked if I could use it), so Simon helped her with Solo, while I dealt with Blossom having her jab. She flinched a bit, but was fairly well behaved.

Next Amber had her sedation. I was not sure how she would react to having her teeth done, so thought it would be easier and less stressful for us and her to have her sedated. While she was nodding off, we had to get a bucket of water, to clean the rasps, Amber had her jab (didn't even flinch) and the vet filled out the paperwork for their jabs in their passports.

Once Amber was sleepy, she had a gag put in her mouth- this keeps her mouth open so the vet doesn't lose any fingers, and the vet had a feel of her teeth. There were a few sharp edges, so out came the rasps. Amber was very good. Even though they are sedated, they can still fight if they want too- I had this before with Sceptre (she slammed me into a brick wall while objecting to having her teeth done- despite being as heavily sedated as they can be and still stand up). She did make the vet laugh when she was starting to wake up as she put her head down, rather than throwing it up!

When she was all done, I moved her out of the stable (slowly and a little wobbly) so Shelia could finish getting Solo's bridle on, then put her back in to finish waking up. We put Blossom back into the 'normal' paddock, as opposed to the nice big one they have been in. This is because we have the farrier tomorrow and also because Blossom has, erm, 'filled out' somewhat. So it's diet and excercise time!

By the time we had put Blossom out, had a chat with one of the other owners, put our grooming bits away etc, Amber was awake enough to go out. We put a lighter rug on her- despite the warm days, it still gets pretty chilly overnight, and being the delicate flower that she is, she loses weight when it's cold and/or wet.

We kept an eye on them for a little while, then Simon wanted to check the caravan, so I decided to go and have a look at the litter of cocker spaniels currently residing at the farm. I even got to go in and have cuddles, and have the laces on my boots chewed...and my hoody chewed...and my trousers...and me! Well, I saw chewed, their little teeth are like needles so it was like having actupuncture on my hands!