The new arrival

Axel Von Fluffy pants left Kentucky on Tuesday and arrived with me Wednesday morning. He was due in at 9:30am, so after the school run I hot tailed it straight to the barn, checked his stall, faffed around and tried not to worry about the butterflies in my belly! I have no cell reception at the barn and wasn't sure if the shipper would so I went and sat out in my car where I had a clear view of the road. The driveway into our barn isn't suitable for the semi to drive down, so I had a rather snowy and slightly icy path to walk him down after arrival. I was so nervous and excited to meet him and my lovely friend Jess stepped in as wingman and photographer which was totally invaluable! We both started squealing when the semi pulled up and rushed down the driveway, they began unloading his hay and feed and I pretty much was bouncing with excitement (well the British version of, so basically just standing and waiting haha). He unloaded so well and there was no silly business at all which I thought was quite amazing after such a long journey. There is a video of his arrival here. We spent the day together just chilling in the roundpen, eating hay (him) drinking coffee (me) and sharing some information and hugs. He spent the night in his lovely new stall and I believe settled pretty well.

I just have to say, the shipping company were absolutely amazing! I used Brookledge Transport and from beginning to end they were superb. The communication was very good, which is so important when they have such precious cargo. They asked when it suited me to have him arrive and he had a whole box stall to move around, lay down and generally chill out in.

Today he spent some time chilling in the roundpen turnout again and then I brought him into the barn to groom and get him ready for some in hand work. He strolled around the arena looking at every single thing, the window into the tack room, the mirrors, the window into the lounge, the jumps and so forth... Not at all in a spooky way, but just so inquisitive! I swear he flicked his luscious locks each time he walked past the mirrors haha! After a while of walking he started to get bored and more relaxed and we began a little lunging, he behaved very well although I think he is going to need a little more work with it as has some bit of lunging that he doesn't seem to quite know. He was such a dude, there was quite a few other horses in the arena today too and he coped so well with all the crazy!

Afterwards I took some wither tracings etc to help us with the saddle hunt, then he got his mane conditioned, brushed very gently and then plaited so that it doesn't keep twisting and knotting during turnout. I think it is going to be the best way to keep it looking good. Can't have Von Fluffy Pants looking like a scruff now can we!

I chilled in his pen again afterwards, just standing with him, chatting and just enjoying getting to know him. I am very excited for what is to come!

The Horse Truck!





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