Story of Flo - Part 1

Just a bit of her history first, to give you some understanding of this lovely 16 year old mare.

Her original owner John had had her for quite some time and she had lived happily on approx 50 acres of his quiet and peaceful farmland. She gave him 3 lovely foals and then he decided that he was prepared to sell her to a good home - this was where things went slightly awry.

He sold her to someone who said they would care for her lovingly and in the way she was used to, but he had other ideas once he had purchased her. He had moved her to South London in stables under the railway arches!!!! John found out that he had beaten her in order to get her in her stable.

Once John discovered this, he immediately went there and took her away from the man and paid him back his money. John took Flo back home and turned her out to try and calm her back down. At that point John had said he would never sell her again and he put her in foal again to see if that too would help her. About 8 months after her foaling, my friends (who were also good friends of John) convince him that I was a potential good owner for her. After having been up to see her, she chose me...... she put her nose under my armpit and just nuzzled into me - how could I resist!!!!!

Althouth she has been the most spooky horse I've ever known, plus was certainly not the convidence-giver I was looking for, she has been an absolute star to own. She is so loving and such a character, she brightens the darkest of days and is so easy to keep.

I've owned her now for 5 years and 18 months ago I tried to have her put in foal with the aim of keeping them both. Unfortunately she lost the foal very earlier due to a bad infection of endometritis. This took about 6 weeks to clear up and I decided if things weren't going to happen naturally then I would leave it for the time being.

Flo has recovered well and has been enjoying a casual life ever since. She is ridden occassionally, groomed constantly, loved all the time, treated well and shows you all the affection you could wish for. On the 29th of August 2006, she will be going to a yard in Scotland that some relatives own, where we are going to try putting her in foal again. Hopefully it will take this year but if not, she will stay up there and try again early next year. She will also be ridden regularly by some competent riders, which I'm sure she will love.

Watch this space and I'll let you know how thing go.