Another Pet Project

Nothing crafty about this one.  Project TLC for Tress.

This is my big girl Tress.  She's a honey, lamb like even with kind eyes and a gentle soul.  However she's a typical TB in a lot of ways.  She spooks easily, and when she loses concentration she forgets that you are there which can be dangerous.  Her feet are soft and easily damaged and they crack all over the place and over winter she just loses and loses condition.  At 21 she's pretty much a retired paddock mate to my boy Aslan.  The complete opposite of Tress his feet are rock solid, he's not scared of anything and he could live in our driveway for a month and still be fat!

But just because Tress is retired doesn't mean she can't look her best and she AIN'T looking her best.  My Pet Project is to bring her back to her former glory looking pretty as a picture.  Her feet are in good hands with my trimmer Peta working on them slowly but surely so what she is in for is lots of extra hard feed, daily grooming and attention to the ailments she's been afflicted by. 

She's lost a lot of her coat to rain scald (a result of not taking her cover off in the nicer weather we've been having) but it is growing back.  Her mane is dreadlocked where the neck cover has been rubbing it and she's so sensitive to mane pulling that I've just been attacking it little by little.  These are day one photos and she's coming on very well with her twice daily feeds and grooming sessions.  I have to say that Peta is a wonder as her feet have never looked better.  If you're looking at this, are in the Auckland area (South right through to Wellsford) and have horses and like the idea of barefoot trimming then Peta at 4 Hooves 021 246 6837 is the lady to talk to - she's fantastic.  She's also "almost" qualified (I think she graduates very soon) in Equine Sports Massage - Tress is going to get one next week, just to make her feel better (she has girth pain syndrome and although she's not being ridden hopefully she'll feel great after this).

Will keep you updated as Tress improves.  Oh and that's her fat buddy in the background - Zoe had her first "ride" on him the other day and has been bugging me every day for another!  I think we might need a pony sooner than expected!!