Hairy Henry

Skye was delighted to have company at yesterday's outing. Atlas is officially her away from home boy friend now 💞 and what a friendly, gentle chap he is!

Skye in relaxation mode just before our dressage test today.
I couldn't help but feel a bit of pressure I put myself under....That's the downside of achieving high, as we did last weekend, we want a repeat of that of course, forever if possible, but that is not realistic, as ground conditions differ, and judges spot different things, and horse and rider are in different forms on different days....
So only a dressage score of 33.5 today, but I think I know where we didn't manage to quite do our best, and it will be interesting to read the judge's notes for my own education.
Skye couldn't have been better behaved , and she did try, but she still depends on me bringing out the best in her.
We'll tell you about the rest of the event later, when we've ironed out the bruises ❤️‍🩹

Turnip testing the hay cart jump for its comfiness as a look out at the South West Riding Club One Day Event at Skevanish Equestrian Centre today.
Would you look at that blue sky 💙

No better way (🤔) to start the first morning of our holidays, plaiting Skye's mane for a competition at 6am 😅

Well done Hans - first day at work in Kinsale Community Hospital all without the support of his mum, but with Turnip, Trudi, Peanut and Foxy holding his back, he did just great. And got to mow the hospital lawn as well.
Hans is only at the beginning of what hopefully will be a long and rewarding career as therapy animal, it looks like he has a good skills set and personality for this complex job. Not all animals are suited for this kind of work - a common misconception is that rescue animals should make good therapy animals. Which in some exceptional cases can be true - but usually rescue animals struggle with their own trauma of abandonment, neglect, abuse, hurt or loss and aren't in a place generous and content enough to serve others.
All our therapy animals are either homebred or carefully selected, to ensure their welfare isn't impacted by the work we ask them to do, and that they are suitable for the work, safe around vulnerable people, and that they enjoy working in a team for the benefit of humans.
Hans had a carefree pampered upbringing so far which is a good starting point, and his personality lends itself well to the calm, slow, patient, giving nature of the work, so we are optimistic that he will pass his probation period with flying colours and join our team permanently!

The best day today to finish off our summer camps, well done everyone. I had a brilliant time, and judging by the bright faces, everyone else did, too.
That's our summer camps done and dusted, two more days of sessions and then we'll close for a little break....

Another busy camp day!!! Last camp week already 🥲 and we had so much fun!!! Great bunch of kind, gentle, funny, keen, lively and lovely children and teens. Can't wait for another day tomorrow 😆

A man and his dogs. Unfortunately you won't be able to see the smile due to GDPR but I assure you it was broad and deep.
Not being able to spend as much time as possible with his own Airedale Terrier Teddy at his home place, having Trudi and Turnip visit this resident in Fermoy Community Hospital means so much to him, and they know it, too.
And today, we found out that Turnip and Teddy actually come from the same Airedale breeder, so they are most likely brothers 🥰