MY HORSES

SCOTTY

Name: Flying Scotsman aka Scotty.
Height: 13.2hh
Age: 31yrs
Colour: Blue Roan
Breed: Welsh cob x Dales
Sex: Gelding

I had Scotty bought for me in oct 1989, by my brother Jason. When I got him home he was underweight and did not trust anyone, as the person I purchased him off had neglected him, he had been tied in a barn on 6 inches of rope for 3 days with no food or water. So once I had him home I spent many months feeding him up and just giving him lots of tender loving care, in time he began to trust me. Which is why we now have a brilliant relationship together.

Sadly in 1994 he was diagnosed as having COPD -(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Basically a lung disease. He was given a year to live, but the fighter that he is proved vets wrong, as he is stronger and fitter than ever now (for his age), and just recently after 2 years out of the showring, I entered him into the local veteran class, and I am proud to say that he came in 1st place beating many good horses. He has a wonderful character and basically is "one in a million."

Scotty at times gets a little protective of me, I remember one time me and my dad were playing about and my dad pretended to hit me, well Scotty was having none of it, he literally pushed himself between me and my dad, going for my dad in the process.

Thats what kind of relationship I have with him, usually in the early mornings Scotty will be lying down, so I sometimes join him, he just loves a cuddle.

As much as Scotty is talented he is also very "cheeky," causing mayhem up the stables many a time. He is an escape artist, the times I have gone to get him from his field, only to find him demolishing the apple/pear trees in the adjoining orchard..! One time he even went a few miles down the road, luckily a friend found him browsing through someones garden, and brought him home.

Another of his little antics, is to drop a shoulder when you are riding him resulting in being dumped on the floor, of all the people who have rode him, not one person has managed to stay on his back....lol

One time he bolted off with me (nothing unusual) taking me under a tree branch, problem was it was only high enough for Scotty to get underneath so I just went smack into it. Many a time Scotty has done something of that nature, but it is all good fun, and I forgive him, as he is very loyal and loving. He is my best friend!