Paige's Page

11/09/2026

How lucky are we that we get to have our ponies at home 💖

Fair those of you who don't know, Jesse and I keep our horses on a track system with ad-lib steamed hay. This is for several reasons.

Overgrazed and drought-stressed grass can lead to very high sugar content, which in turn is a contributing factor to laminitis. This is why ours have no grass.

Having a continuous track with shelter and water at one end, and hay at the other, with various other enrichment areas (water buffet, logs, licks, toys etc.) means they do more steps than traditional pasture - kept horses, which not only helps to maintain fitness levels, but it also improves insulin sensitivity.

They are all living together, they are a herd and they can enjoy friends, forage and freedom. None of them are shod. The corners are angled and wide so horses don't get cornered, and we have an open field shelter for the same reason. They are never stabled. The track is poo-picked daily.

Our horses are good doers, and we only have 2 acres of grazing so for us, a track system made sense. I'm not saying that it's the option for everyone, because not everyone has the luxury. However, a few people have asked why we keep them like this, so I thought I'd do a post!

We are about to embark on a mammoth mission of laying 200 Jelka Mats to stop any slipping in the winter. Luckily for us, it doesn't tend to get too muddy as the water drains away!

06/09/2026

Have you ever wondered what’s involved in submitting a planning application for an equestrian arena? 🐴

I’ve made a video taking you through the process, and this is just the beginning! I’ll be documenting our entire arena build journey, from planning permission right through to the finished arena.

Give the channel a follow to come along for the journey! ✨

Join me as I talk through the process of submitting the planning ap...

01/09/2026

I can't believe it's taken me TWO WEEKS to post this! But the tiny ponies took a trip to Poltimore Park X-Country which we are very lucky to have just down the road from us!

They are only yearlings, and won't be doing any serious work until they are much older, but it was nice to take them both for a little play!

Scroll to the end to see my lovely bruise where I forgot to jump the jump 😂

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31/08/2026

It's another unboxing (or in this case unwrapping). This time, featuring 's beautiful new feed bins, now available in BLACK!

I love these, not only are they extremely durable but they are SO smart!

26/08/2026

IT'S HAPPENING! Those of you close to us know how long we've been planning, and that we've been dreaming even longer, for our very own arena at home!

Well, this week work started on digging out the cut and fill - CJ Arenas has been absolutely fantastic!

We have so many others to thank, but first and foremost, Angharad Tucker from AWP Planning has just been an absolute god send. She has held our hand throughout the entire process. From getting the necessary surveys, to the application and ecology and everything in between. Thank you so much for making this process bearable.

Jesse Poyntz-Wright , for being my best friend and partner ❤️

Very very exciting things ahead!!

18/08/2026

9 years ago, this photo kindly provided by Nicki McGuire of little Blakey at 3 months old ❤️

17/08/2026

I suppose it's my fault 🤦‍♀️

I was only just the other day saying how I haven't had a fall since April 2024 (when Debbie D**e had to take me to A&E). Next thing I know, I'm on the floor!

The most embarrassing thing is that I wasn't even riding the horse when it happened! I was leading little Toffee over some diddy XC jumps and I forgot to pick up my own feet! 🤦‍♀️

The worst thing is, I didn't even get it on camera!!!! 😭

15/08/2026

Have you ever made pony ice cubes?

With the extreme heat that the UK is experiencing at the moment, we are trying to find new ways of keeping the ponies cool. Cue pony ice cubes!

13/08/2026

Why would you teach your ponies how to rear?!

A valid question, and whilst I don't feel the need to explain myself, I think there's a learning opportunity here.

Toffee and Popcorn are officially yearlings, and have entered a stage in their lives where they are full of energy and are testing boundaries. One such boundary is bath time.

Previously, when they've not wanted to be bathed, or not understood what is being asked of them, they have both tried to rear as an evasion and an attempt to escape the situation. Nothing ever remotely dangerous.

I have discouraged this behaviour by ignoring it when it happened and positively reinforcing standing still with treats (with treat manners). However, I thought it would be good to still let them have space to release their energy, so I've added a cue which tells them they are allowed to rear.

**This isn't me teaching them to rear because I think rearing is a desirable behaviour. It's actually the opposite.**

The result? I now have two ponies who happily stand still at bath time. Not once have they reared outside of me asking them to since.

The idea is to put the behaviour on cue, rather than allowing them to decide when rearing is an appropriate way to communicate that they're uncomfortable, excited or frustrated.

If they want to have a little moment, they have a specific cue for it. When that cue isn't given, the expectation remains that all four feet stay firmly on the floor.

It's also a great opportunity to teach them that listening to me and responding to a cue is what gets them what they want — rather than escalating their behaviour until they get a reaction. Do I do it often? No. Is the cue something they could get confused about and rear when being asked to lead etc. no.

Of course, there are risks involved with deliberately putting any potentially dangerous behaviour on cue, particularly with horses, and this isn't something I'd recommend blindly copying. It has to be appropriate for the individual animal, their temperament, handling and the environment. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions etc. this is my approach.

For me, the most important part isn't actually the rearing. It's teaching them that they can express themselves, but there are appropriate ways and appropriate times to do it.

Plus it looks cool AF 😎🤟

09/08/2026

Little Blakey ❤️

It's very important to look after both your horses, and your horse professionals in this heat! Your podiatrist will thank you for it!