Bertie’s 2011 – a good, relaxing year

[amandaxx1]

Me and Bertie have had a good year over all. Bertie was 12 this year, and was diagnosed with arthritis 18 months ago. All is really well for the moment. We had a rough time in March/ April/ May with a long stretch of essentially undiagnosed lameness, but things were good after that.

I wont go mad with the pictures (well I’ll try!!!)

So the year started with snow, but we’ll skim past that quickly….



He got a good haircut



Which quickly grew out, snow melted and we did lots of this for a few months









Schooling was going really well





A visit from Catg



And then the problems began in March… he went slightly lame to completely hopping lame in 5 days. The vet was brilliant and Bertie was equally brilliant doing a 2 month stretch of box rest, followed by a lot of solitary paddock rest that took us up to May. He had numerous vet visits, x-rays, ultrasounds, even a trip to the equine unit for more tests. We treated him as if he had an abscess but this was never really a dead cert. He eventually came right on his own.

Box rest




His shaved bad leg which had been poked and prodded to within an inch of its life, and his other hacked away leg!!



So he did get better, and we started riding again after being rested in his paddock for a while.

It was warm by now so he got a good hair cut!!!





Along came the grass podge!!!



And then we did some dressage!!!

Just one pic from the day – it was a hideously hot day and we got a good score, and joint 7th out of 19 people!!!

My sleepy, warm boy chilling after his test




And so we spent the rest of our summer hacking and schooling. We had a wonderful time. Just a few pics of chilling etc



Hiding from me armed with his saddle







New gear








And even more new gear after all our tack was stolen in October, that my wonderful EW friends sent me.







And so now we are into winter, and are still doing plenty of riding.

Bertie has taken up a new hobby which involves a bit of this…



And a bit of this



And just generally looking like this most days



And these were from the end of December, happy, beautiful Bertie who I love so much.





Thanks for looking, I think 2011 was a good year over all xx

[CautionToTheWind]

Aw he's such a handsome man!
I think you've done great with him and not been too disheartened by his arthritis, all the best for 2012!

[eeek]

He's such a sweet horse, you are so lucky (but of course you know that). Bertie looks like a real character. Here's to a great 2012!

[Loz]

He's so gorgeous! I have such a huge soft spot for Bertie.
Here's to a very happy 2012 for you both xxx

[Catg]

Fab picture post and update babe! I still can't get over his muddy nose, that picture cracks me up xx

[lil_legs]

I love love love that last photo of him. He is such a character and is lovely to see your year in pictures.

[gem]

Happy new year Bertie! He's so adorable I love his big lovely head and his telegraph pole legs Perfect pony!

[micki]

He is gorgeous. It sounds like you have had a good year with him, despite the srthritis and the box rest. I love the photos of his very wet muddy nose.