MANNOG MOONSHADOW  June 1996 - January 2020.  APHC USA 551839  APHC UK A.21

APHC UK stallion licence no. 2 (Mighty Strawman GB - Mannog April Blues)

It is with overwhelming sadness and a lot of tears that we lost our most amazing, beautiful , gentle stallion on 29th January 2020 from colic.  When we drew the bedroom curtains he was not at his usual place by the fencing looking up to see when we got up so he could have breakfast.  When we got to him it was clearly obvious by the state of him, his rug and the field that he had had a terrible night so by the time we found him there was nothing that could be done.  

He was happy, healthy, sound and certainly did not look like a 24 year old. He had a great life living out 24/7 except in the worst of weathers. His paddock was adjacent to Moonriver's paddock so they were always "together".  He covered naturally in hand so actually got to say hello to his mares.  Never sick - only had the vet once as a two year old when he got kicked.  It was not his time to go but there was nothing else we could do. We were both with him at the end.

Extremely successful within the APHC UK/USA  showing world - APHC UK Champion Stallion, Reserve Supreme, APHC USA Grand Champion stallion and sire of champions as well.  International Year End Top Ten Finalist in Aged Stallions with APHC USA. Register of Merit Halter with APHC UK.  Shadow had it all : superb conformation, tremendous movement, beautiful head, great muscling and colour.  However his success was ended when he  tested positive for PSSM (n/P1) in 2011. Vilified by some within the APHC UK his images and name immediately removed from APHC UK web site. Banned from ever showing again within APHC UK classes despite being APHC USA registered. The show ring's loss. 

Somewhere in  time's own space. There must be some sweet pastured place. Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow. Some paradise where horses go. For by the love that guides my pen. I know great horses live again. ( Stanley Harrison)

Goodbye Shadow. Thank you for everything. Your brother Mannog Moonriver misses you loads.

Well, like many others at the present worrying time, we are self isolating.  What to do?   Well thanks to Storm Ciara we lost two well established trees on the same night.  One was a lovely Welsh Oak probably around one hundred years old . The second was an established Ash which when uprooted also tore the water pipe connection to the water tap in that corner so we had gushing water  to deal with as well .  So we have plenty to do - just the two of us, a chain saw and a wheelbarrow. Wood anyone ?
Keep well. Keep safe.

  The Ash tree with disconnected blue water pipe.

The Oak tree with me well wrapped up. It was cold! Start of a log pile we but have LOADS of wood and no idea how to move the main trunk.

  After four days . Winning the battle but still loads to do and then the ash tree.