Prodney’s Blog: Two of our favourite things: summer fields and scratches
The Stables is closed for August, but does that leave us kicking our hooves? While the humans are dreaming of beaches and worrying about the weather, we head off to the field in Surrey and enjoy being together as a herd. That means lots of mischief and bickering while the humans’ backs are turned.
This year the rain means that the grass is lush and there are some lovely mud-holes for when we want a cooling mud-pack to treat our skin. You might imagine that with food and water available we’ll be left to our own devices, but that’s not so.
The humans visit at least once a day and as Chief Equine Officer it falls to me to give my daily report. Some of the ponies (even the ones who are frankly old enough to know better) can get a bit over-excited and gallop recklessly around, always with the possibility of doing themselves a mischief. So we all get a quick health-check every day.
We need to make sure that no poisonous plants are popping up, and that there’s no litter or inappropriate food being thrown in to the field. Sadly both do happen, and although we may be strong, our stomachs are delicate and we can be in real danger if we ingest something toxic. Have I mentioned that horses can’t be sick, as you can? Frankly, it would be a real bonus if we could, but for some mysterious reason evolution had other ideas.
I get to spend some quality time smooching with the magnificent Bella, it’s more whickering than bickering in our case. I’m so lucky to have met her at my time of life, don’t you think?
Before I get back to my important duty of taking it easy, I’d like to introduce new pony Charlie. He’s enjoying another of our other favourite things – a really good scratch in just the right place.
Can’t you just hear him saying: ‘Up a bit, left a bit, ooh that’s perfect JUST there!’
Prodney is Chief Equine Officer (CEO) at Park Lane Stables, and achieved celebrity status following the TV coverage in 2021. And yes, he really is a bit of a star on YouTube and TikTok. Just search for Park Lane Stables and do follow us!