A Very Exciting Day!

A decree came from high up that Heather should go and live out. I knew this would come at some time, but was hoping for a couple more weeks in, or a more gradual change. As it is, she's gone from 24hr box rest to 24hrs living out! The idea behind it all is that the extra movement from being out will benefit her recovery. I have no arguement against this and she does seem to move better after a while. Unfortunately keeping her condition is going to be difficult. It's not quite Spring yet and she will lose weight. Not to mention keeping her feet in one piece!
At least I managed to negotiate her a place in the "graveyard" field, behind the church. This field has some grass and is well sheltered. So this morning wrapped her up and took a very excited horse to her new home. She launched herself full speed into the field, squeeling and bucking with delight. No thoughts of her injury!! Ran straight across to meet the others, two ponies, Ouzo the smaller and Cookie. Three of them in a lovely big field. Within a short while Heather had her first of many rolls and soon settled into munching mode. All good so far...
I returned tonight to bring her, her tea. Hardly out of the car when people were telling me how she'd escaped, taking the ponies with her. Someone was taking Ouzo out, when H apparently galloped from the other side of the field and barged straight past..with Cookie following and Ouzo trying to keep up. Fortunately at the road, they went left and headed for the yard, instead of right which would have taken them into Ashton village! They thundered through the yard and ran straight to the bottom field...where she now is. Many people remarked at how fast Heather was moving!!
I went to find her. I've been let down by my camera battery! The yards hay store is an old lorry parked in this field. Heather had opened the doors and pulled out two or three bales and was sharing them with the ponies...who are too small to reach up there. I wouldn't put it past them to have planned this. Anyway she had her tea, with extra oil and I left her by the gate with it open. She walked straight back into the field...no hesitation. It will be cold tonight and the silly mare is now in a field with no shelter and little grass. After all the days excietment her knee looks a little swollen and she is limping. Hopefully she'll calm down soon.