1st May 2012
A far better start to the day, a bit drizzly but turned out really nice. Fed the herd, slightly less wind but still plenty of mud!! Fed the bottom and top yards, Valley and Frodo are back to wandering around the top and around the house. William is sound and could go out but seeing as it is so wet and slippery under foot I have decided to keep him in for a bit longer I think he is liking the pampering!! Down to poo pick the school, over three and half barrow loads out, I reckon they save it all up especially for me!! Phone didn't stop ringing for at least an hour. I was talking on the phone looking out of the bedroom window, there were 4 baby rabbits playing with 2 incredibly fat wood pidgeons looking on. Spent the rest of the day on the saddlechariot that is being collected in the morning, for something so simple it takes an awful long time to get together. Its funny how you can listen to people, understand what they are saying but come away wondering what they really mean! Chrissie came up and did Crasher and fed the 3 on the bottom yard. Chris's back is still bad so she spent another day resting. After finishing the chariot, fed the herd a bit late but there was no wind at all and they were all civilised considering they had to wait a bit. I then went up to the top mucked out William and fed them. Went into the lecture room to pack the harness for the chariot, a hen pheasant was in there on the work top, saw me, flapped about knocking the cups everywhere so I opened the window to let her out, she went out at such a speed and panic she set most of the herd into flight! apart from Love who carried on eating! Back to the office and low and behold the phone started again and finally got dinner at 9pm.

2nd May 2012
Overcast this morning but warm, continued good all day until this evening when the heavens opened! Moved hay first thing this morning for the early feed. Horses are all pretty chilled although Mel looked a bit off colour, she did brighten up by lunch time. I fed and watered the bottom yard and they are all fine. Up to the top yard and fed and watered them. Back down to the lecture to get the chariot onto the pallet ready for collection then I poo picked the school. Off to town to pay a few bills. Worked Flo and Dougal in the school, long lining and introducing some different noises. The swallow population is growing and the warmer weather sure bought out the flies which I'm sure pleased the swallows. One swift went by, they never stop here I think we are too high. The cowslips have all popped into bloom its amazing what a bit of warmth can do. Chris tells me her back is slowly getting better. Mandy came up, mucked out William and gave him a groom and a bit of a fuss. Time for a cuppa. Time for the evening feeding. Horses are still pretty chilled out. Put Crasher's ointment on. Top yard was a bit easier as William had already been mucked out and bedded down.  

3rd and 4th May 2012
Weather still pretty gloomy and wet but not so windy. Both days have been very similar, morning feed and water. Poo picked and watered school with the help of Mary on Friday. Chris's back is still playing her up so still resting. The middle of both days consisted of working on saddlechariots, I have placed our first order from The pure Feed Company, next week we will have stock of the full range to add to our list of products and services. On Friday I decided that William should go back onto the bottom yard with Chuck, Flint and Crasher as he is now sound. Chrissie came up on Friday, fed the bottom yard and put Crasher's ointment on. I bought Love in as she really looks as if she is in foal but going through last years records we can't find any positive time that our stallion could have got to her, just a very vague possibility when he broke out but he was still a field away from her unless he jumped the gate and then jumped back again!! This time last year we had 4 stallions on the yard, thank goodness we now only have 1. Watch this space to find out whether its phantom or real, it looks pretty real at the moment!!  William and Abbie turned up just as I had finished the evening feeding, much to Abbies disappointment.
5th May 2012
It was a far better start to the day today, dry with a bit of breeze but at least no rain!! The ground will now start to dry hopefully. Fed the herd and the bottom yard, up to the top yard to give Valley, Frodo and Love their buckets and Kevin and Ollie their hay. When Love had finished her bucket Abbie and I put her out onto the lane while we mucked out her stable, we then walked her down and put her back into the herd for the day then we got on with poo picking the school. Time for Abbie's breakfast and my cuppa. Up to Kevin and Ollie to muck them out, as they are in and out there is no need to muck them out daily but as Abbie was here and she loves to use her new barrow we decided to muck them out. Gave them both a groom, Ollie the stallion and Kevin looked very smart, not for long!!! After a totally hectic week I spent the rest of the day doing very little just being worn out by the hustle and bustle of my 2 grandchildren!! Soon time for the evening feed, Chrissie came up and fed the bottom yard and applied Crasher's ointment, William is mixing with the other 3 pretty well except when it comes to the hay so he is being given a seperate pile. Abbie and I got Love out of the herd then gave the others their hay while Love munched on the loose bits on the lane, we then took her up to the stable washed her legs, bedded her down and gave her her bucket, she still has her evening ball full of grass nuts, she loves knocking it about, it keeps her amused!! She can see the boys over her door and Valley and Frodo are never too far away. Fed the boys, Valley and Frodo whilst Abbie brushed the tack room!!!!!!!!!!

6th May 2012
This is more like it, sun shining and dry. The ground has dried up really well....How long for!! I fear by the forecast not long. Abs and I fed the herd and the bottom yard then up to the top to feed and do Love. Once Love had finished her feed we let her out and mucked out her stable. We bought Love down and put her in the herd. Poo picked the school then time for breakfast. Dan, Kelly and Amber-Leigh turned up so had a cuppa and a chat whilst watching the 3 grandchildren play. When they left Abs and I went to bring in Flo and low and behold she was as far away as possible!! We plodded and slipped our way through the field which covered Abs with mud it is times like this that she could do with longer legs!! We bought Flo back and gave her a bucket Abs then rode her up to the stable to wash her legs another lesson for her as she had never had her legs washed before but soon got used to it. Bought her back down to the school and gave her a good groom, William and Abs led her around the school a few times, I long lined her then put on her bitless bridle ready for Abs to ride, for whatever reason they were both not talking the same language or Flo was just not taking any notice, she didn't do anything silly just not what she was asked, I put a line of barrels down the school to give them both something to focus on but that didn't work either so Abs got off and I rode her around for a while we talked the same language and she was foot perfect, we put her back with the herd as Nicola and Andrew turned up and it was dinner time. By the time we had finished dinner it was time for the evening feed, Abs and I took Love out from the herd and fed the rest, Chrissie fed the bottom yard and put Crasher's ointment on. Carol came up and took Love up to the stable and washed her legs, gave her a good groom and lots of fuss whilst Abs and I fed the other 4. William and Abbies weekend sleepover is now over and the place is quiet once more!! 
7th May 2012
A far better day than forecast although the heavens did open up just when it was time for the evening feeding. The mud had started to slowly disappear but has now quickly returned!! The morning went as usual. Mary came up and helped to poo pick the school and Chris got on with the flyer for The Wholehorse Weekend. Whilst on the phone looking out at our new bird feeding station that has now got a big selection of visiting birds that include Magpies and Collar Doves, Pheasants pick up the feed off the floor that has been dropped by the others and then in broad daylight as bold as can be out popped a rat!! he was lucky Mo our terrier was no where to be seen!! Next Time!! Its like living on a nature reserve. Off to the work shop to put Flo's harness together now that I have finished adapting it, bought Flo in, gave her a bucket, more as a treat than anything else then into the school to fit the harness. She was a bit wary as we walked around and weaved the barrels but after 3 laps she totally accepted it all. Chrissie turned up and watched for a while then had a go herself. Flo is now working really well on voice commands only even from a reasonable distance. The next thing was to put her in the iBex to start pulling it but it didn't seem the right time so hopefully tomorrow. Moved 2 bales of hay down to the herd, time to order some more!! Frodo and Valley spotted the 2 new bales and decided to help themselves, Valley is such an odd horse, very happy to pinch hay but any that you give her she kicks about and burys in the mud!! I'm not going to give her her own from now on she can just help herself!! I never cease to be amazed how well tuned horses senses are, Mattie was by the school with no sign of any other horse nearby so thought I would give him a good handful of grass nuts and before he got to his 3rd mouthful Roh had turned up from nowhere, whether she can hear him eating or just sense it I don't know but she always manages to turn up!! Evening jobs went to plan, really easy to wash Loves legs as she was out of the field before the downpour. A friend of Chrissie's came up to have a look at Crasher, we were quite late leaving the school. I got in just in time to get the dinner ready for Pam as she was working late. 
8th May 2012
Yesterday was a super day, sunny and warm. Feeding went well. I have worked out how to get Valley to eat the hay I want her to have....I put it behind the barrier and she thinks she is nicking it!!!! This way I can tell how much she is getting. The herd spent most of the day in the field that is as far away as possible!! Mary came up and watered the school while I got on with a few things in town. Spent most of the morning sorting out PayPal and other aggravating things. When I went to get Flo I had a long walk!! The geese are still sitting on their eggs. If there wasn't so much water on the ground it would have been a really good growing day. A lot of the horses were fast asleep in the field absorbing the sun. Flo thought I was coming back up so she followed me which saved me the job of going into the field to get her and  we then went into the school, I shut the gate to the school in case the others came up to see what I was doing with Flo. I gave her a bit of food in her bucket then tacked her up in her harness, long lined her around the school and down the lane. She has forgotten about the scary spot where Flint touched the electric fence and went straight by in both directions. Took her back into the school and played with her and the iBex without her actually in it, just to get her used to the noises and anything else that might concern her. After a while she totally ignored it all so I walked her in and out of the shafts touching her sides and her back, I then connected it to her and walked a few straight paces I felt it was enough at this point as it had all been positive. Took it off her and did some very simple ground work, offered it to her again without any problem, that was enough for both of us I was knackered and she was tired and just wanted to eat some grass or hay. Sally and Chrissie turned up, Sally took Roh and Winnie up to the stables to give them some fuss. It was now time to give them their evening feed, Chrissie did the bottom yard whilst I got Love out and fed the herd. Love has learnt now that at this time of day she walks back to her stable but she doesn't remember that she has to stand on the rubber mat to have her legs washed!! Fed Kevin, Ollie, Valley, Frodo and Love and bedded them down for the night.
9th May 2012
What a totally different day, incredibly wet but still reasonably warm. Fed all the horses and poo picked the school, the rest of the day was pretty boring. The herd spent a big part of the day sheltering in the school. I took delivery of horse food from The pure feed Company, we have now got stock. Then big sheets of plastic turned up for the saddlechariot and iBex. Gas cylinders turned up, what a busy delivery day today!! In between times I was in the office doing e-mails and fliers for The Wholehorse Weekend with Chris whose back is getting better but not quite right yet. I spoke to a few clients on the phone, then went and picked up yet more harness. Chrissie turned up ready for evening feed time. She fed the bottom yard and I fed the herd. We both then went up to the stables and I showed her what to do, she is going to do it for me tomorrow evening as I will be in Cardiff
10th May 2012
Bit of a drizzly start. Fed the herd and the bottom yard then up to the stables to a pleasant surprise!! Love had foaled to a little fella, checked the foal all over, afterbirth etc watched him suckle and saw him poo, he is fine, Love has got plenty of milk and is a really good mum. Fed them all adding more straw to Love's bed as I don't believe you should over muck out immediately after foaling, just remove the necessary. Watched Love and the foal for a while then off to poo pick the school. Spent the rest of the day in Cardiff with Pam, the girls and Patrick. Jo had made a special appointment for her to have a scan and for all of us to be present, it was amazing to see an actual scan of our unborn grandchild, not just a photograph. Bought a couple of umbrellas and a windmill for Horse Agility. Chrissie did the evening routine for me and gave me a quick text saying all was well and when I got home a very accurate e-mail reporting everything that had happened, which was very much appreciated. On arriving home I went straight up to see Love and the foal who were both fine as were the rest of the horses, although it was very difficult to see those that were out at 11.30pm!! 

11th May 2012
A bit damp and cold to start but soon turned out nice. Fed all the horses, Love and foal are fine, mucked them out a little and topped up their bed with nice fresh straw. Poo picked the school and the balance of my pure Feed arrived just as I was ready to go out, unloaded it then off to deliver some plastic to the water jet cutters for the saddlechariot and iBex then off to do some horses feet on a customers yard. I really think we should train these little shetlands to stand on a 3' high box, it would definitely help my back!!! On the way back I called in to see the engineer to place an order for saddlechariot parts. When I returned to the yard the majority of the steel work from Exeter had arrived ready for the next 3 chariots that are going out. The farrier had been to shoe Crasher as he is leaving us tomorrow. Chris had checked on Love and gave her her midday feed and Chrissie had just finished the evening routine. She said the foal needed to be looked at. Crasher spent the night in the school with the back and side doors open with the gates across as I don't like shodded horses running with the rest of them, he had his net of hay, a big bucket of water and he could see the rest of the herd but he wasn't over the moon at not being allowed to join them. I then went up to check the foal whose heart rate was a bit high and so was his respiratory rate but his temperature was fine, I think he was having a bit of a problem pooing so I walked him up and down the alley quite a few times on his incredibly long wobbly legs and then put him back with his mum to rest. When I checked him again at 11pm he was quite content and his rates had dropped a bit, he was only suckling on one side so the other side was very tight, I milked some out and then left them for the rest of the night. Just got in to have some dinner when the hay arrived!!

12th May 2012
Absolutely brilliant, sunshine and warmth that continued throughout the day. Whilst feeding the herd Chrissie turned up to check and say goodbye to Crasher, not that he is going far, he is just on loan to a riding school a few miles away, he will be truly missed on the yard as he is a real character and very willing to please. Fed the bottom yard that are now down to 3, they will soon be joining the herd. Up to the stables to feed and water, the little fella had had the biggest poo in the world!!! All his rates are now back to normal. Took Valleys rug off and gave her a lovely groom, I could have made another horse out of all her hair!!! A bit of that very welcome sunshine on her back will do her the world of good and the rest of the horses too. Once Crasher had been picked up we bought Love and the foal out to have a good wander around, having the freedom of the lane and access to the school but Love chose to keep him in the school most of the time. He was running around and bucking like only foals do!! which is all good for his muscles, internal organs etc it helps make them work properly. Carol turned up with a couple of big bales of straw as we will be going through a fair bit with Love and the foal in, when the weather permits they will be out as much as possible and hopefully will soon be back in the herd, when the ground hardens up a bit. Fiddled about a bit then time for the evening feeding. None of the horses were over anxious for their hay tonight its amazing what a bit of sunshine can do to the grass!! Took Love and the foal up to bed. Put Valley's rug back on as the evening had gone a bit chilly, she is the only horse on the yard with a rug but the old girl does need it!! The rat paid another visit to the bird station today and just narrowly missed getting caught!!
13th May 2012
A dry and warm day but not as good as yesterday. Bought Mel out of the herd ready for Horse Agility then fed the rest. Fed the bottom and top yards. Love and the little fella are doing really well, took Valley's rug off again as the sunshine is doing her good. Time to get the Agility course ready. Chris is a bit more mobile now and gave me a hand, Mary, Sally and Pam turned up and we soon had the course finished. Sally bought Roh and Winnie in and I bought Flo, Chrissie turned up to watch, lots of fun and a great time was had by all even if sometimes Winnie would much rather have been outside eating the big bale of hay!!! When everybody had gone I bought Love and the little fella out to have a wander around the yard and have a look at the Agility course, none of which seemed to bother the little fella. Up to the top to muck out her stable and get it ready for the night. Back to the office to work on the flyers. Fed the herd and bottom yard letting Love and the little fella wander around to have a munch on the grass and herbs that are in the hedgerow. Up to the top to feed Kevin, Ollie, Valley and Frodo after feeding them I went down to collect Love and the little fella, bought them up and put Love into her stable and let the little fella have a walk in the alley, he rushes up to talk to the others which seems to aggravate his mum, I think he does this on purpose!! The geese have now got their goslings not sure how many as I didn't want to go too close.

14th May 2012
A wet start to the morning but it soon dried up and the sun came out. The herd were all waiting for their breakfast, very patiently, it's Ash's turn not to come in with the herd at the moment, she waits for them to settle before she decides to join them, Enya is now one of the first to come, the order changes constantly, except for the dominant ones who are always first. Off to feed the bottom yard where Flint has decided he wants to eat his hay seperate from the other two!! Up to the top stables fed and watered them and let the little fella have a run down the alley whilst his mum got on with her breakfast. Down to the office to order more components for the saddlechariots. In to town to the printers to sort out the flyers for The Wholehorse Weekend and Events happening on the yard. On the way down the lane I spotted a bra hanging in the hedge.....You would have thought somebody would have missed it!!!!! Mary came up. We went up to the stables to give Love her lunch then let them have a wander to pick at the verges. Chris is a lot better, moving around far easier, it won't be long before she will be back into the full swing of it. Mary made a cuppa while I got on with finishing the up grade to a saddlechariot which was due to be collected a little later on. Not long after I had finished it the owner arrived to pick it up. I bought Flo in to show the owner how the harness fitted, Flo behaved herself very well considering it was nearly feed time. Once the lady had gone I gave Flo a small bucket of feed as a thankyou for being a good girl. Time to feed the herd and the bottom yard. I let Love further down the lane to have a munch while I went up to the stables to feed them and to get her stable ready for the night. Valley and Frodo were up in the top paddock, Chris let them down much to their delight, Valley had a light rug on her today as the temperature was a bit low and there was damp in the air, I don't want to undo all the work that we have done getting her into a reasonable condition. Bought Love up and gave her her bucket whilst the little fella played in the alley but soon went into the stable and fell fast asleep. He is certainly getting the strength into his back legs now, which were a bit wobbly at first but they are improving daily. Off to the office to ring some clients before putting the dinner on as Pam was working late. I understand that Crasher has settled in reasonably well at his new home. 
15th May 2012
We managed to have every type of weather you can think of today, rain, sleet, hail and then sunshine and pleasantly warm then it would turn incredibly cold. Herd were all waiting for their breakfast, the bottom yard were in their shelter. On the top yard all the horses had come in waiting for their breakfast. The little fella is a right little menace, into everything, smelling everything and testing it with his lips, he came up to me this morning sniffed and rubbed his nose up my arm. Left them both in for the morning whilst I got on with saddlechariot and iBex things, when I'd finished the bit I was doing I bought them down and put them in the Agility field, his first experience of rain and hail!! The sun came out, dried him off and warmed him up. Love is really clever and knows where to take him for the best shelter. He is now growing into his legs and getting stronger by the day. We had a huge heap of hardcore delivered today ready to start making hard standing behind the school ready for next winter, thats the thing about this game we haven't quite got over this winter yet but have to think about the next one!! Have got a digger coming on Thurs so I can sort out the drains and put some new gate posts in, moved all the equipment from around where the new posts are going, now once the digger is here I can get straight on with it. Chris and Mary put all the Agility equipment away in the school which has now been opened up for the herd to shelter in. A blackbird has started to build her nest behind some pipes just outside our living room window, its amazing watching the way they work for the benefit of the survival of their species, having everything they need around them, there are many humans who could learn a lot from nature and I didn't see them stop once for a cuppa!! We seem to have quite a lot of ducks and a pair of geese on the pond but I only saw 2 goslings, there were 2 buzzards sitting on fence posts close by, I'm not sure if they take live goslings as I'm sure she would have had more than 2. The herd were all wound up during the evening feed for what reason I don;t know by the time I got to the bottom yard and looked back they had settled down. Thank goodness the bottom yard were calm.....there is only 3 of them!! I let Love and little fella out into the lane while I went up to the top yard and got her stable ready, Kevin, Ollie and Frodo were waiting for their feed but Valley was nowhere to be seen, gave her a shout and she came running down the hill like a 2 year old!! Chris went to get Love who had wandered round to the school and was munching on the big bale of hay, Chris said the little fella was rubbing his nose all over her. When they came up I fed them all and bedded Love down for the night. Nice to get back inside to get warm. 

16th May 2012
Super day, quite warm and pleasant. Fed the herd, bottom yard and top, put Love and little fella into the Agility field. Off to pick up some floors for the saddlechariot and talk to people about finishing the shaft tips. Back and into the office,quick cuppa, check for e-mails then off to get my truck looked at as it is making a funny noise, found nothing positive. Off to pick up Pam to go and sort out a new washing machine!! Back to the yard to find Chris and her mum feeding the herd as there had been some rumpuss, a couple of them getting stressed with each other, Chris decided the best way to settle them down was to give them their hay, which worked. Swallowed a quick cuppa then down to the bottom yard to feed but Chris had beaten me to it. Two people turned up to see me so Chris went off to get Love and the little fella. Had a quick chat but had to get on with the horses so had a chat with them when I'd finished. I fed Love, Valley and Frodo while Chris gave hay to Kevin and Ollie.Chrissie came up earlier and poo picked the top yard this has made a vast improvement then she  mucked out Love for me, which was much appreciated. There are so many jobs around the place that are on the list of must do's but by the time I have done the gotta do's there isn't much time left in the day!! Lou and Dylan came up to see Love and the little fella. Around the Agility field he is a total maniac, he thinks the tunnel is especially for him to play in and around, running from one end of the field to the other when Love catches him up he has a quick drink and off he goes again. It won't be long before she lets him get on with his antics while she carries on grazing, in my observations this is normally around 7-10 days. He will be a week old tomorrow and has changed considerably since birth. The blackbird has now plastered her nest with specially selected mud and I guess when it is dry she will line it with dry moss and move in!!  

 17th May 2012
A really lovely day. All the horses fed and watered. In the mornings and the evenings when I say all 'fed and watered' there is a bit more to it than that, they are all visually checked over for any physical problems and closely looked at to see if there are any behavioural changes that may indicate a problem. I suddenly realise, now that I am writing a daily diary for the web (not the detailed one that we keep) that some of the readers do not know that with a lot of horses being kept in big herds good stock manship is paramount, it's only with lots of experience that you can identify those subtle differences. Down to the nitty gritty of clearing drains!!! Many people think that I've got one of the best guardian angels ever as one day we are desperate for something and then by magic just in time something turns up, but, I am sorry to say when it comes to unblocking this blinking drain that has been blocked for quite a while, my guardian angel has not sorted it!!! It's down to digging ditches, cutting pipes, rodding them out, lots of flushing with water, moving what can only be described as a steady lava flow!!! Today is Pam's day off.........No such luck!! Got them free and running by dark, have to continue tomorrow to put new joints in and backfill. Was hoping to get the drains done by lunchtime, What a silly billy I am!!! Chris did the evening feeding and watering with her mums help when it came to mucking out Love, she still finds pushing the barrow up the muck heap uncomfortable. For those that are following the blackbird she has now lined her nest with moss, the odd bit of horse hair so hopefully soon she will start to sit.This is one of many birds nesting on the yard but she is the one right outside my window.

18th May 2012
Cool, very windy but at least dry until early evening. Chris did the morning feeding and watering while I got on with the wretched drains. As the tank is in the field where the main herd are and Love is in the agility field by lunchtime I had seen all the horses. Put a couple of new rodding eyes in so if this blockage happens again sorting it out should be simpler!! Finished the drains then off to town to pick up the printing. When I got back I levelled some muddy areas on the top yard then decided to put the new post on the gate beside the school, a posh metal one so hopefully it will last longer, it is probably the most used gate on the yard and a real pain when its not working properly. Just got the hole dug when the heavens opened, at least I didn't have to add water to the concrete!! Time to clean the digger as it is being picked up in the morning. I did manage to get a few jobs done whilst on hire, it makes me feel better about the cost. Chris did the bottom yard, took Love in and fed the top yard, by the time she came back down I was ready to let the herd into the field where we fed them. No change on the blackbird's nest, I hope she hasn't gone all shy and decided to build somewhere else.

19th May 2012
Overcast but warm. Fed and watered all the horses. Sorted out some paper work, cleaned the windows then off to my youngest grandaughter, Amber-Leigh's birthday party, 1 already!! Chris mucked out Love and did the evening feeding. Reported that everything was ok. They all looked good when I checked them. Blackbird in and out of her nest but no eggs yet.

 20th May 2012
Up bright and early as we went off to London to pick up my dad and Freda who are staying for a week. The weather was pretty good this morning and definitely improved through the day. Chris did the horses and reported everything was ok. Carol came up and gave Love a good groom, Sally groomed Roh and Winnie and Mandy groomed William. Went I got home everything was fine, the ground has dried out considerably, looks like the beginning of the week I will be driving around the fields harrowing!!

21st May 2012
A beautiful day, has summer arrived!! Chris fed and watered this morning while I finished hanging the gate and raking up all the hay from the fence line and gave it to the horses. Chris put Love and the little fella out, we then got the herd in to worm, we wormed 17 of them, they have all now been wormed. Nounnat has got a huge issue with worming syringes which is strange really considering how good she is. As they were wormed we put them back into the field, leaving just Honey, Mavis and Sky in the school, all of a sudden world war three broke out between Honey and Sky, I have never seen two mares go for one another like they did!! Honey is Sky's grandmother and have lived together all Sky's life, I decided to take Honey and Mavis up to the stables and worm them up there then came back down and wormed Sky. We moved Chuck, William and Flint into the herd and returned Honey and Mavis. They have all been moved to new fields now. We then moved Kevin and Ollie to the bottom yard. We have now got Frodo and Valley in the field above the stables. Kevin and Ollie on the bottom yard. Love and the little fella in the permanent Agility field. In the herd we have Ash, Flint, Alice, Basil, Roh, Mattie, Mavis, Honey, Chuck, William, Dougal, Flo, Enya, Brian, Spot, Sweetpea, Winnie, Blue, Sky, Toby, Roy, Mel and Nounnat. We will continue to give them hay, about 1 large bale every third day. Time for lunch and a chat to dad and Freda. Back out to do some tractor maintenance, repair the trailer hitch and top up the oil levels. I scraped the muck from the gateway at the back of the school while it's still moist enough to move. Mandy came up and bought William in, gave him a groom and did some work with him in the school. I went off to start harrowing the fields. Down to the workshop to make some saddlechariot/iBex parts for collection tomorrow. Chris took Love and the little fella in, bedded them down, then fed them, Valley and Frodo. All the others are much too busy eating their new grass. Another thirteen and a half hour day over!!! 

22nd May 2012
Continues to be hot and sunny. Chris did Love and the little fella, fed Frodo and Valley whilst I got on with the harrowing, which took the whole of the day, it is all finished now ready for rolling tomorrow. Chrissie popped in for a chat and Mary turned up, she is going to distribute some flyers for us around the town. As I drove around harrowing the fields I checked the rest of the horses, they are all happy and content in their new pasture.

 23rd May 2012
Another beautiful day, must have known my dad was here for a week!! Chris let Love and the little fella into the Agility field after giving Love her breakfast. I rolled the fields after harrowing them yesterday, they're looking very smart!!! Mo decided that she would go on an adventure this morning with Lou's (next door neighbour) dog and eventually came home early evening, had a great time rabbit chasing I've no doubt!! Chris had some sad news today so was busy doing family things. Jo and Patrick arrived and they told their grandpa that she is going to be a mum in October. Nicola, Will and Abbie arrived so madness descended on our normally quiet house!! We had a lovely dinner, they all then went for a walk leaving Pam and Freda to clear up the mayhem!! Abbie and I went and checked the rest of the horses. Time then for a quick cuppa before they all had to leave, silence reigned once more. They will be descending on us again on Saturday with Dan, Kelly and Amber-Leigh joining us too, the whole family together. Chris took Love and the little fella back to their stable for their supper. A very busy day today!!

24th May 2012
Weather continues to be glorious, it's nice to be able to go out in the morning in just jeans and T shirt, still got the odd pockets of mud but the majority of it is good. Finished the rolling first thing this morning whilst Chris did Love, Valley and Frodo. Chrissie popped up to see Chris and had a chat to Pam as I was busy in the far field. Mary came up after distributing some flyers and watered the school. I haven't used a heavy roller on my fields for many years as I feel the horses normally compact it enough!! With the funny winter, spring and summer alternating quite rapidly I felt it could do with it this year. I'm sure I will airate the fields before winter returns. Our biggest fields look really good at the moment, although we have got a couple of fields looking the worse for wear!! With the strange weather we have had this year you know you are going to wreck one of them, I just try to minimise it, still allowing the herd to have access to the maximum amount. When I'd finished rolling the field I unrolled a big bale of hay down the field to ensure they had enough fibre although the grass is growing quite quickly at the moment. Sally came up and took Roh out for a short ride. Spent a couple of hours with Pam answering e-mails and doing other boring computery things. I moved a big bale feeder for Valley and Frodo so they could have access to hay to supplement their grass and bucket feed. Once the grass starts to grow quicker I will move them back into the herd, owing to their age and lack of teeth they need a couple of buckets a day. Spent some time talking to my dad then Dan, Kelly and Amber-Leigh came up for dinner, they told their grandpa that their 2nd baby is due in November, that will take the total number of grandchildren/great grandchildren to 5!!  Chris took Love and the little fella up to their stable and gave them their evening feed whilst I gave Valley and Frodo theirs.

25th May 2012
A very pleasant start to the morning with a breeze all day making it comfortable to work in. Chris did Love, the little fella, Valley and Frodo whilst I put a bale of hay in the feeder for Valley and Frodo. I brought Basil in as it was definitely time for a clipping!! Last week the nights were far too cold but this week he is dripping, it took 4hrs to clip him as he was still continuing to sweat, by the time I got to his right hand side he had decided he was ticklish!! he tried to cow kick the clippers he must have thought they were a big fly!! I tried a pair of scissors but they were not going to work so had to clean the clippers about every 10 mins, finally got the majority of it off, not the prettiest sight I have ever seen but he is definitely a lot cooler, he has got this super double coat which is great in the winter when its really cold but not so good when we get weather like we do!! Sally came up and did a bit with Winnie. Rung round a got a few prices on fertiliser as I think we will probably need a bit this year......by jove its expensive!! The herd are enjoying their new field, they pop over to have a munch on the hay and a drink but then soon vanish to eat the grass. Pottered about a bit with my dad then it was time to take Love and the little fella back up to the stable, gave them their feed and bedded them down for the night. 

 26th May 2012
Another beautiful day which was really lovely as we had a big family gathering before we take my dad back to London in the morning. Chris took Love and the little fella down to their field while I checked the others. Took Chris to her mums. Came home and mucked out Love just before all the family arrived and an old family friend that we hadn't seen for many many years, it was a surprise to Jeanette who was my nurse when I was a baby and a surprise to my dad. We had 17 for lunch which was really nice. Abbie came with me to check the horses before they went home. A very busy family day!!   

27th May 2012
Incredibly hot and sunny. Checked all the horses before taking Dad back to London. Chris kept an eye on the yard. Mandy came up had a chat to Chris then went home. Trip to London there and back went very smoothly spotted a few odd things on the M4 whilst Pam was driving....... A fox in a field ready to pounce, someone moving a whole shed on a trailer with the flimsiest strap ever holding it on and a person standing on the wings of a bi-plane by Membury Services. In the Sanders' usual fashion very little serious discussions all week until Pam and I were about to leave London for our return journey, 3hrs later we finally set off!!! Arriving home just after midnight, making it a very long day.

28th May 2012
Blue sky, clear and warm but turned a little chilly this evening. I went round and checked all the horses whilst Chris fed Love, Valley and Frodo. Spent some of the day helping Chris. I got the spinner ready, gave it a good clean and greased it ready for spreading the fertiliser. Mary popped up and had a chat with Pam. I picked up 1200kg of fertiliser to spread once we have a bit of moisture not too much just a bit!! Mended a few leaks that I have been meaning to do for ages, cleared out the lorry body and sealed around all the edges as I want to use it as a feed store. Dan, Kelly and Amber-Leigh came up and picked up their car. Fed Love, Valley and Frodo and gave the boys on the bottom yard some hay. The herd have nearly finished their big bale, they will need a new one either tomorrow or Wednesday.

29th May 2012
A cool start but soon warmed up. Chris fed Love, the little fella, Valley and Frodo while I went and checked the others. Mary came up and helped me move the feed from the lecture room to its new store. Took Chris and her mum to town and while there I got on with a few things I had to do. Gave the herd a big bale of hay and opened up the small paddocks so they could have a munch on some new grass. I walked around the farm to check the boundary fences which totally wore me out so definitely time for a refreshing cuppa!! My truck is still making some funny noises so Simon the mechanic came up to have a look, he took it out for nearly an hour and it didn't start making a noise til he bought it back to the farm, at least its not me hearing things!! It was coming from the back wheels somewhere, he took the wheels and hubs off, push, pulled, twisted and turned and could find nothing wrong, back to the drawing board!!! another one of lifes little mysteries!! The blackbird outside the window went through all the trouble of building her nest and for whatever reason has abandoned it without using it. The wretched squirrel has learnt how to pull the peg out of the peanut holder to release all the nuts, pretty damn clever as the pin only comes out in one direction!! The majority of the horses are looking absolutely fantastic, even Basil with his rustic clip!! It's amazing what a few sunny, warm, dry days will do. Fed the horses, time for dinner. My truck is a Ford Ranger if anyone has any ideas of what it might be please let me know, it will be much appreciated, as 3 mechanics and myself are baffled!!

30th May 2012
A little cloudy but still warm and turned incredibly muggy but freshened up this afternoon. Chris fed Love, little fella, Valley and Frodo. I bought Dougal out of the herd to trim his feet, they weren't too bad but my I was hot and sweaty by the time I had finished!! Was waiting for the mechanic to sort the oil out in my truck, he was later than I expected so gave Chrissie a ring to give me a lift into town, by the time we got back he was here. Time for a cuppa and lunch. I went around the paddocks trimming the growth from underneath the electric fence to stop it from shorting out, ready for Love and the little fella to re-join the herd. Whilst I went round and tested the fence Chris fed Valley and Frodo, we put some hay and Love's feed on the truck, fed them then it was time for me to give Chris a lift to her mums. Now I have written it down it doesn't sound a lot but it took me all day and has totally worn me out!!! 

31st May 2012
Warm but overcast. Chris fed the horses while I checked the herd. We opened the gate to the Agility field to let Love and the little fella into the field next to the herd, once they have got used to each other again across the fence they will re-join the herd, I find this way there is less stress and they will settle down quickly. I got on with fertilising the fields, just as I'd finished it started to drizzle and is still drizzling now, that's one thing I got spot on!! Off to sort out tips for the saddlechariot and iBex which took the whole of the afternoon. By the time I got back Chris had fed Valley and Frodo and given Kevin and Ollie some hay, it just left giving Love her bucket. Chrissie came up this morning to see Chris and I mentioned we were looking for rubber matting for the bridge and horse box in the Agility field and in a very short time Chrissie had got a number of someone she knew for me to ring. The end of another busy day!!

1st June 2012
Overcast but dry. Chris fed and watered again this morning while I checked the herd. Love had chosen to return to the Agility field so has not joined the herd today. A long time was spent on the phone today talking to Simon. Chrissie came up for a short while as did Mandy and Sally. We had our septic tank emptied sure glad thats something we don't have to do very often!! Gave the herd another big bale of hay, with this warm damp weather we must be getting near the end of them wanting hay. Took hay down to Kevin and Ollie while Chris fed and watered the others. It was then time to get the saddlechariot and all the other bits loaded onto the truck ready for tomorrows demo at The Cheltenham Horsemanship Club.  

2nd June 2012
An early start today, it was cloudy but reasonably warm. Chris fed and watered Valley, Frodo, Kevin, Ollie and Gave Love and the little fella their bucket of feed while I checked the herd and finished loading the truck ready for our demo in Cheltenham. Off to the Cheltenham Horsemanship Club following a RAC route planner which took me past Cheltenam Racecourse 4 times!! After passing it for the 4th time I rang the organiser, Sheila for some sensible directions, the planner had taken us to the wrong side of Cheltenham but a little later than planned we arrived. There was a really good turnout despite it being a bit drizzly and damp but as we finished the sun came out.....Typical!!. We borrowed a friends pony called Angus who was a real star and very obliging. Everybody present had an enjoyable day with a go on the Saddlechariot and the iBex. We made our way home when we got back we fed, watered and checked the herd. Time for a sit down...totally shattered but was a really good day, meeting lots of nice people. 

3rd June 2012
Really wet and yuk, it's surprising how cold it feels with a 10 degree drop. Chris fed and watered while I checked the herd. Time to get on with some plumbing, replacing the shower in the lecture room, mending a burst pipe and sorting out the gas supply to the boiler, a bee had decided to store nectar in the open end of the pipe so had to disconnect the inside and blow it back through, of all the round holes on the yard I wonder why it chose this one!! Carol came up to see Love and we discussed the ownership of the little fella, he is now mine and will be known as Rowanoak Tower..Tower to his friends, Pam named him due to how tall he is!! I think if genetisists want to do something really useful they could put the growth gene from dock leaves into grass, in the last couple of days the docks have grown at least 10" higher and the grass is still trying!! Only joking as I really think we should not muck about that much with nature as I personally feel we will come to regret it, but I would like my grass to grow quicker. Chris bedded Love stable down as we decided we would bring Love and Tower in tonight as the weather is due to get even more yuk. I checked the herd who are going to need another bale of hay tomorrow and took hay down to Kevin and Ollie while Chris got Love and Tower out of the field, I followed them up, we fed Valley, Frodo and gave Love her bucket, it won't be long before we will have to increase her feed as Tower is taking more of it, although our aim is to leave them out on just grass, herbs and other foliage once there is sufficient. Quite a lot of puddles building up in different places, hard to believe this time last week it was more like a desert!! Had some lovely comments about yesterdays demo, it makes it all worth while.

4th June 2012
A far better start to the day, it was a lot warmer but did get chilly in the evening. Chris fed, watered and put Love and Tower into the Agility field while I checked the herd. I gave the herd another big bale of hay, then decided to start machining the shaft tips for the saddlechariot myself which took all day!! I took regular breaks as a robin has hatched her eggs and is very busy feeding them. Mary came up, had a chat and made tea. Chris did the horses this evening whilst I carried on machining, we decided to leave Love and Tower out as it was a lot drier and warmer. Before I knew it, it was 9pm and time for dinner.

5th June 2012
A cold, damp day and not brightening up at all. Chris and I did the mornings work and then I got on with doing more work for the Saddlechariots. Got products ready for collection tomorrow then spent some time talking to clients on the phone. Mary came up and she helped Chris clean out and wash my truck. Dan, Kelly and Amber-Leigh visited which was nice, Amber-Leigh is a proper little character. Chris bought Love and Tower in as it was forecast to be a rough night. Elspeth and Bruce came up to see Frodo, she has known him for 18 years and used to ride him at a trekking centre. By the time everybody had gone it was time for dinner.  

6th June 2012
The day began a bit cool and wet but ended up reasonably dry and sunny. Fed and watered the horses in the morning. Popped into town to pick up dog and cat food. It was Chris' dads funeral so spent a lot of the day away from the farm. When we got back Sally had mucked out Love which was a great help. Checked the herd and fed and watered the others. Spent a considerable amount of time on the phone to Simon. Dinner time and bed!!  

7th June 2012
A wet and windy day, yuk yuk yuk!!! All the horses were damp but not particularly miserable. Chris fed those that needed it. We had a new horse arrive this morning called Fergus, he's cream with blue eyes, his breed is unknown but he is a super fella. He is in the outdoor stable at present so he can see Frodo and Valley, this is for the general assessment of him as he will join the herd. Love and Tower are in the field adjacent to the herd and will also join them in due course. Went into town to do a few chores and bumped into Chrissie who had found us some rubber matting at a quarry in Builth, it is old conveyor belting which will be excellent for the Horse Agility bridge and horse box so off we went to pick it up. Spent some time on the computer organising collection of saddlechariot parts and ordering bottles and tubs for ointments and creams. The wretched Magpie has had all the robin chicks from the workshop, I guess its nature but sometimes quite hard to take. Walked around all the fields checking the herd, fencing and grass. Chris has been altering the headings on the web pages adding new photos. We then fed and watered. We checked Fergus, had a chat with him and a little play, he seems to have settled in quite well. Time for dinner, this yukky weather wears me out!! 

8th June 2012
Rain, wind and more rain!! Fed and watered and gave the herd a bale of hay. Fergus has settled in very well, having the odd chat to Valley and Frodo. Spent the majority of the day doing odd jobs about the place, mainly in the dry, although I did get soaked 4 times!!! Sally came up and took Roh into the school and did some ground work with her, joined me for a cuppa and a chat about the world in general. The herd are now making some mud around the fields. The birds on the feeder are finding it difficult to stay on, it's more like a merry go round!! Fed and watered the horses and checked the herd, it's going to be an early night.

9th June 2012
A bit of an overcast start to the day but then turned out very nice with a cool breeze! Fed and watered the horses. Chris took Fergus for a walk while I mucked him out. I then got on with sorting out the gas for the lecture room to get the hot water and shower working, spent a while mucking about with the mixer to calibrate it but got it done in the end. Nice hot running water and a shower that is now working ready for The Wholehorse Weekend. Moved quite a lot of saddlechariot/iBex parts from the lecture room to the workshop, hopefully one day they will all be in one place....this is my aim!! Will save me lots of time in walking from one place to another. Put Fergus into the Agility field for some exercise, he seemed to enjoy his freedom. Had a customer turn up for feed. The only dry day for ages and I have to water the school ready for tomorrows Horse Agility Fun Day as the permanent course is still quite wet in places. Chris's uncle turned up and started strimming around the place to give it a bit of a tidy up. Went round and checked the growth of grass and decided to shut the hay field off and let the herd into the dip field to join Love and Tower, this went really smoothly, a few went to the fence to have a chat with Fergus while the others happily munched on the new grass. By the time I had finished it was quite late and I was pretty worn out, must be old age catching me up!! I was told that as you get older you need less sleep...I think they fibbed!!    

10th June 2012
Not too bad a day, the sun was warm with the occasional bit of drizzle then a few heavier spots but nothing drastic. It was an early start to a very busy day. Checked and fed those horses that needed it, the majority of them are in their new pasture so very happy and contented. Fergus spent the night out in the Agility field next to the herd and was totally chilled out. Chris and I set up the Agility course for the fun day in the school. Mary came up to join in the fun. We bought Mel and Flo in, Mary had Mel and Pam had Flo. Mary's bond and confidence working with Mel shone today, they did incredibly well and completed all the obstacles without a hitch. Pam in her usual fashion just did it and Flo followed. We introduced the umbrella today, the clicking of opening it gave Flo something to think about, once opened it wasn't an issue. Pam and I worked Flo loose, working away from the door wasn't a problem but coming back she needed a couple of reminders to concentrate on what she was doing. Chris took Mel and Flo around all the obstacles without any problems. Time for a quick cuppa before Carol came up then Dan, Kelly and Amber-Leigh visited. I fetched Fergus in so that Carol could have a go around the course with him, he took most of it in his stride, with a couple of the obstacles he needed time to think but then very easiily did them, he did himself proud considering he had never done anything like it before, well done Carol and Fergus. Carol then fetched Love and Tower in, Carol went around the course in her usual laid back fashion with Tower following being a proper little menace!! He was playing with the balls and throwing the umberella around, picking the cones up and putting them all in the wrong places!! Overall a very good session. Love and Carol's bond has certainly increased. When Tower wasn't being a menace Carol and Love were both totally focused. Carol took Love and Tower back into the herd and then went home. In between all this I was negotiating with Simon to buy a milling machine on ebay, in the end it went for £20 more than we were willing to give. I went off to my neighbour to borrow his heavy roller to try and get the field flatter ready for The Wholehorse Weekend. Chris and I fed Frodo and Valley and opened the gate to the field where the herd were, they can join the herd once more when they all go into the hay field. Hopefully Fergus will join them too, it all depends on how things go. Off to check the herd once more before going to the office to make some phone calls and do a couple of e-mails before dinner. It was a really good day, all the horses and humans happy but it is a shame when people book then fail to turn up.  


11th June 2012
Overcast but warm with the odd light shower. Still giving Frodo and Valley a bucket feed, the rest of the horses are very content munching their way through the new grass. A few e-mails and phone calls made then off to town with Pam which is a very rare occurrence!! Back to the yard in time for lunch. Chrissie had popped up and had a look at Fergus who she considers to be a pretty good fella, well put together but a bit on the fat side. After lunch Chris and I went down to the Agility field to cover the bridge in rubber matting, reasonably simple but quite heavy going. We started to rubber mat the horse trailer, not quite finished will attempt to finish it tomorrow!! Off for a cuppa before starting work on saddlechariots/iBex parts. It looks like I'm going to do a bit more of the manufacturing of the plastic parts here (quite enjoyable). Chris gave Frodo and Valley their bucket, I checked all the other horses then it was time for dinner.

12th June 2012
A bit cloudy but soon warmed up. Fed and watered Valley and Frodo then got on with finishing the rubber matting in the horse trailer. Chris gave me a hand whilst Mary got removed of the old covering on the tunnel, run out of screws and washers so had to go into town to get some more. All the obstacles are now repaired in the Agility field just got to recover the tunnel, all fully functional once again...well almost!! Chrissie is going to come up and re-paint the weaving poles etc. Put Fergus in to join the herd, a bit of chasing but nothing too dramatic by this evening he was pally with Sweetpea this is not unusual as she seems to be the first to make friends with all the new arrivals, after a while she goes back to her old mates, a couple of challenges by Toby but nothing serious, Fergus moves around the field like a cob stallion. Moved the surplus roll of rubber matting from the Agility field. Hitched up the topper to top the docks from the field that the herd had just come from, Frodo was waiting by the gate so I let him join the herd by the time I had nearly finished topping the field Valley had realised Frodo was missing and was running around the field like a 4 year old, as I was coming through the gate she followed the tractor so she has now joined the herd as well, the herd is now 28 plus Kevin and Ollie on the bottom yard. Topped the field where The Wholehorse Weekend is held, you can still see that most of it is dock leaves but at least now you can see over the top of them!!! By the time I had finished the sun was going to bed so time for dinner. During the day more organising of The Wholehorse Weekend on the phone, it is all coming together now after nearly 6 months of planning. 

13th June 2012
Dry but overcast. Checked the herd with Chris and walked around the fields to check fences and grass growth. We then moved a caravan into the Agility field ready to store equipment and be able to sit and have a cuppa. Chris got on with trimming dock leaves and nettles from the fence line. I went into town and distributed leaflets for The Wholehorse Weekend. Came back to the yard and got on with painting the Horse Agility obstacles. On our evening check of the horses I noticed Love had a reaction to Midge bites, we bought her in and treated her also treated Roy's Sarcoid. Back to do a bit more painting before dinner, all looking good.

14th June 2012
A cloudier and windier start to the day and ended up incredibly wet!! Checked all the horses. Loves reaction today is far better after yesterdays treatment, all horses pretty happy. Fergus is pally with William and Tower can play with all the other horses providing Love doesn't change her mind and push them all away from him. It looks, today, as if Sky has won the battle and has become the Alfa Mare as the herd seem to follow her. Mary came up and continued painting the obstacles. I went off to pick up some stuff for Chrissie while Chris continued to trim the docks and nettles. When I got back I cleaned out the workshop to make room for the new machine that arrived today, we can now make small component parts for the saddlechariot/iBex and assemble them all in one place to save me a lot of walking!! I then topped all those docks that had sprung back up and gave the field a final roll. Assembled the new machine and had a little play with it to find out how it works, only to find they had sent the wrong chuck, that was meant to fit the cutters they also sent, hopefully a new one is on its way by express courier to arrive tomorrow morning (hopefully). What I can see, is that it should make a really good job and make life simpler! Man turned up and gave us a price on a woodburner, looks like we're going to have to work really hard to be able to afford it before the winter!! Had a cuppa before going to check the horses by which time it was chucking it down, Great British Summer!!!   

15th June 2012
Rain, rain, rain and even more rain!! Checked all the horses, all grazing and as happy as they can be. Valley is not over impressed with this weather! A good day for doing things in the dry so cut out some sheepskins for saddle pads and collars, dropped them into the girl that sews on the velcro and hoops, back to the yard to try and understand our new machine. Spent a while practising with it and finally got the first home produced shaft tip out. Cleared some of the obstacles in the school to let the herd come in to shelter. Not a lot happened but I was a very busy bee!! 

16th June 2012
Another wet and windy day!! All the horses on the yard were quite excitable this morning, it was either the joys at seeing me!!...or the wind up their tails! All looking good though, even if a little damp!! The majority of the day was spent in the workshop making shaft tips for the saddlechariot/iBex. A pretty boring day, diary wise. It kept me out of mischief, now time for bed!!  

17th June 2012
An early start machining shaft tips. A far better start to the day. The horses are all looking good. Carol came and strimmed all the docks in the Agility field whilst me and Pam then the help of Dan re-covered the tunnel. Pam and I wandered around the show field working out where things would go......probably all change by Friday!!! The herd are now in the hay field, really happy as there is a good amount of new grass, hopefully this will keep them happy for a day or two. Tower is now allowed to mix with all the other horses and can quite often be seen a fair way from Love, aggravating someone else!! Its amazing what youngsters can get away with!! Have now virtually finished 48 shaft tips, just the hardware to be fitted. The first batch of in house made, if I'm not careful I will only have myself to blame when things are not ready (and of course Simon). The end to another busy day. 

18th June 2012
A lovely start to the day, warm and sunny with the ground drying out. The herd are very happy in the hay field, quite a few of them fast asleep when I checked them this morning. On with getting the farm ready for The Wholehorse Weekend. Chris and Mary poo picked the school then got all the Agility obstacles ready for me to take down to the permanent course. I went into town and put the advert in the B & R for The Wholehorse Weekend and picked up some drills. When I got back I took all the saddlechariot stuff from the lecture room and took it to the workshop and Mary helped me clear out the rest as it seems to become the general store for all sorts of things!!! Chrissie popped up and had a chat. Chris went into the Agility field and continued to paint some of the obstacles. Time for Mary to go. Once Chris had finished in the field she came up and helped me move some of the bigger things from the lecture room and then started cleaning. The burger man came up and checked out the site for the weekend. On checking the herd throughout the day they were still all quite content. I then got on with the shaft tips until quite late. Time for dinner.  

19th June 2012
Overcast to start with then more rain and at around 1pm summer came back again!! Checked all the horses and they are all looking very well. Cleared around the school ready for strimming. Moved all the obstacles from the school down to the Agility field, we put up the round pen and fenced the main ring ready for The Wholehorse Weekend, Chris's Uncle Charlie came up this evening and did some more strimming whilst I got on with more bits for the saddlechariot and iBex, doesn't sound a lot but I didn't finish until gone 9pm. A reasonably long and very physical day. 

20th June 2012
A really lovely start to the day. Up bright and early and into the workshop to get on with some chariot bits before the days work. Checked the herd, they are still very chilled. Spent some considerable time on the phone sorting out insurance for the saddlechariot/iBex for customers which is now finally sorted and readily available. Mandy came up to see William, whilst he was on the yard I tidied up his feet then she took him around the permanent Agility course then took him for a walk down the lane, she has been on holiday so has missed him for the last 2 weeks. Chris and I went down to the hay field to trim and tidy up some of the other horses, I did manage to find a really wet bit on the farm which required the 4 wheel drive to escape!! The majority of the farm has dried up quite well although as this is being typed it is tipping down!! Done a couple of odd chores ready for the weekend and then back to the workshop to get a saddlechariot ready for collection over the weekend.

21st June 2012
An incredibly wet day with the very odd spot of sunshine!! Up bright and early, on checking the horses first thing they were all happily munching but very damp!! Off to pick up the marquee on my return I checked the field and concluded it wasn't worth the effort and time to put it up as it takes around 4hrs with 6 people, the majority of the field was far too wet to drive on but the camping field is still reasonably dry. Chris cut back the docks, nettles and thistles underneath the electric fence around the bottom yard and behind the stables. Had a quick chat with Pam and Mary to finalise Plan B. Took the marquee back, didn't even unload it! Plan B is to hold The Wholehorse Weekend in the indoor school with the stalls in the front end. The majority of car parking will now be on hard standing as we are going to use some of our neighbours yard. Totally cleared out the school and erected the barrier between the spectators and demo area and rubber matted outside the back door. Bought down the barrels for the rubbish, Carol arrived and finished off all the strimming whilst Chris and I poo picked the bottom yard, If poo was worth money I would be an incredibly rich man!!! What appeared to be just a bit ended up a trailer load. Shut Kevin and Ollie in their field. Siobhan popped up. Simon turned up and put Obama in the Agility field. The burger man turned up to check where his van will be going. Long chat to Simon about all sorts of things, he decided to put his horse box up the top and promptly got it stuck so started up the tractor and pulled him out just as I thought the day was coming to an end. Chris and her mum checked the herd and said they were having a silly half hour chasing each other about but all quite happy. Simon unloaded his van and totally cluttered up my workshop. Time now to get dinner on as Pam was finishing work at 8.30. If I thought I was worn out yesterday I sure am today!! 

22nd June 2012
Continued to be wet with a few nice sunny intervals. On the early morning check of the herd most of them were standing in the hedge sheltering from the rain. Obama who is here for a few days is living in the Agility field and thinks the tunnel is his walk through stable!! Chrissie turned up early for a chat before we got on with all the finishing touches for The Wholehorse Weekend. Simon went off to pick up his daughter Caitlin. Mary, Carol, Siobhan and Mandy all came up to help. Mary watered the school whilst Carol, Chris and myself laid out the straw bales in the school. Toilets turned up, Burger van turned up then the campers started to arrive. The Horseworld group with 3 horses arrived, all the visiting horses are in the stables at the moment, with people camping in the barn. Chris and I went and put the signs up while Mandy and Pam finished cleaning the lecture room. The whole yard is full of people in the strangest of places due to the mud but all happy. The horses were moving about a lot more when we did the evening check.  

23rd and 24th June 2012
THE WHOLEHORSE WEEKEND
After a bit of a slippery start to Saturday morning everybody set up, the horses that were required for demos were bought to the Agility field. Chris, Mandy, Carol, Mary, Pam and Siobhan were all here to help keep things running smoothly. The demos kicked off at around 11am and with a small break carried on until about 5pm. The evening party was held in the indoor school as it had started to rain again. Great fun and lots of chatting was had by everyone, with Horseworld and Simon organising a BBQ. It continued to rain overnight and into the early hours putting back into the ground all that had managed to dry up during Saturday!! Started a bit drizzly Sunday morning but turned into a beautiful day with warm sunshine. The demos started at around 11am and there was much more emphasis on Horse Agility and the saddlechariot/iBex. People coming in and out throughout the day and some joining in the Horse Agility. The last person left at around 6pm, we had a quick tidy up but the bulk of the re-organisation we will do tomorrow. Despite the weather, parking in odd places, camping in even funnier places and swapping from Plan A to Plan B the weekend went amazingly well. A totally friendly, stress free weekend.   

25th June 2012
Super start to the day, sun was shining, it is surprising how quick the quagmire has dried out!! Checked all the horses and they are all happy. Obama spent the night in the Agility field with Nounnat as she will soon be going down to Devon. Had a quick chat with Simon and Caitlin, Simon then took Caitlin to the train station ready for her journey home. Carol came up, we sat outside the school in the sun drinking coffee and chatting then Chris joined us. We chatted for quite a while knowing that we really had to get on with the tidying and putting things back in their rightful places, We all did enjoy the break!!! It had to be done so on with it we got!! Simon returned. I had to pop into town, when I returned I continued to help with the tidying. Loaded Carol's landrover with all her gear and off she went. Off to the workshop with Simon to work out ways to machine the component parts for the saddlechariot. Checked the herd and by the time we had finished Pam who was on a late shift was due home, In to feed the dogs and put the kettle on just as she arrived.  


26th June 2012
Incredibly wet for the majority of the day but turning out nice this evening, at least it is still warm! Horses all munching and happy. Did some work first thing with Nounnat and Obama with the help of Simon and Chris. Spent the rest of the day with Simon making things, altering things and generally sorting things out, as hopefully he will be on his way back to Exeter tomorrow. I will then get my workshop back to myself and be able to find things!!! A very busy long day and quite brain testing at times, not a lot to write down as you would be bored to tears!!! 

27th June 2012
Nice warm, sunny day. On the early morning check lots of the horses were lying down enjoying the warmth of the sun. I continued discussions with Simon then we both went into the workshop to work on the saddlechariots and iBex. After quite a while we decided it was coffee time and whilst relaxing my phone went, it was my neighbour telling me that Ollie was on the lane. Chris, Simon and I went and brought him back in, it appeared he had gone over the fence to have a chat with their gelding who they had just brought home. Went around the fence line to check only to find that someone had cut through the wire netting in the corner, spent the next 2hrs mending fences, cutting hawthorn and blackthorn to fill the gaps and making sure that all the perimeter gates were padlocked and chained. The majority of the herd are as far away from the access road as is possible. Meanwhile Simon had gone shopping and on his return we continued in the workshop as he will be leaving early in the morning for Exeter. After helping to load his van and trailer ready for the morning I checked all the horses, they certainly are enjoying this warm, dry weather. Hopefully by this time next week the yard could be back to normal.   

28th June 2012
An overcast, muggy and thundery start to the day then it cleared up with a few odd showers. Started the day by sending Simon on his way. Chris took Nounnat back to the herd where I joined her to check them. All the horses are pretty happy. Mary popped up for a quick chat and cuppa before going out to lunch. Went into town to pay some bills then up to the caravan to sort out their electric. Back to the workshop to get the next chariot ready for collection. The toilet man came up and collected the toilets. It is good to have the workshop and yard back to myself, its pretty quiet without Simon about!!! Back into town to order some more harness, it was now around 8.30pm so decided to call it a night.  

29th June 2012
Pretty damp start to the morning, yet again. First time in 7 days that I have woken up without having any visitors here!! Walked around and checked all the horses and fence lines. Finished tidying my workshop then off to town to pick up bits. Filled truck with diesel and it was £8.00 cheaper today than 2 weeks ago!! Back to the workshop to continue with the saddleschariot/iBex will have 1 saddlechariot completed by Sunday ready for collection. Sally came up and did a bit with Roh and Winnie. Will and Abs have come for the weekend, Abs spent her first hour and a half with me in the workshop then up to the house for dinner. 

30th June 2012
Another damp and chilly start to the day, its not improving very much!! Had the help of my young assistant today...Abbie. We checked the herd and allowed them into another field. Lots of skipping and jumping. Checked all the fence lines. The rest of the day was spent getting another saddlechariot ready for tomorrow. Dan, Kelly and Amber-Leigh turned up with Gary, Laura, little Kelly and Alfie so another house full with the kids rushing around like lunatics!!! I do believe kids wear you out more than a hard days work!! Mandy came up and took William out for a hack the first time in a few weeks, they both seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves despite the heavy rain.

1st July 2012
Overcast and chilly but not too much rain!! Went round and checked the herd with Abs, checked round the fence line at the same time as looking for a stick to make Will a bow and arrow. Chris and I took the round pen out of the school and put the mounting block back in ready for this afternoon. Mary turned up to have a chat and borrow a few things for her decorating. Abbie went in to have some lunch while I did a quick check on the saddlechariot before the customer came to pick it up. Carol and Siobhan came up, they got Love and Tower in and gave Love a good groom, they then shot off to do some shopping before coming back to ride Fergus. The customer turned up to collect the chariot, had a long chat about the do's, don'ts, why's and what fors. Chris went off to get Fergus, we bought him up and into the school, gave him a good groom and tacked him up. Carol rode him around the school a fair few times, he was very responsive and willing but he is over weight, she took him down to the water board, up to the stables and back to the school. Untacked him and then Abbie sat on him bare back whilst I led him around the school, Abbie thoroughly enjoyed it, she has missed her riding lessons. Nicola and Andrew arrived to pick up Will and Abs, It was then time for dinner, had a lovely meal, Nicola and Andrew cleared up whilst Pam gave Abs a quick shower. Everybody went home, gosh its quiet!! We are both absolutely shattered!!! 


2nd July 2012
A miserable, damp start to the morning with the odd glimmer of sun. Our work experience pupil Charlie turned up on time which is always a good start. Chris and I took him round and introduced him to all of the horses and while we were there we let the herd into the next big field and shut off the hay field. I got on with office work and Charlie scraped the edges of the school into the middle then watered it and a very good job he did. Chris and Charlie then got Flo in, groomed her, picked her feet etc. Charlie did some ground work with her and long lined her around the school. They then put Flo out and bought Fergus in, we all had some lunch while Fergus dried off a bit. Chris and Charlie groomed him and picked his feet whilst I got on with some phone calls. We tried long lining him in a bitless bridle which he didn't truly understand, I lunged him for a while, he was good at that, we swapped it for his bridle with a bit and he was foot perfect. Charlie had a go at long lining him and it wasn't too long before they were both speaking the same language. We all took him down the lane to the housing estate to meet some traffic, wheely bins etc he had no issues at all and totally accepted them all, he's a great little pony. We are going to put him over a few jumps on Wednesday and if he is as good at them as he is with everything else we have asked him to do he will definitely make someone a super pony as he is for sale. Charlie and Chris put him back into the field, we then had the inevitable cuppa. I got the tractor and trailer and we moved the round pen back to its storage area and loaded the bins onto the trailer and emptied them. I parked the trailer in the entrance to Kevin and Ollies stable ready for Charlie to muck out sometime this week. Charlie and I had a quick chat about the pros and cons of horses and my observations of them as Charlie really wants to be a jockey. Hopefully he will pass his interview at Newmarket in the summer and get one step on the ladder, it was then time for him to go home and time for me to ring Simon once more!! 

3rd July 2012
Another wet day. Charlie turned up on time so him and Chris went and checked the horses. Phone call from Chris saying Sky had jumped the gate back into the hay field and Basil had walked through it!! They couldn't get them back into the other field on their own so I went to see what was going on by which time all the other horses were all standing by the bent gate looking on, I concluded to let them all back into the hay field as it seemed that is the one they wanted to be in, Just one of those times that no matter what field they are in they always want to be in another one!! at the moment they have access to 3 fields, 20+ acres in all. Chris and Charlie bought Fergus in to lunge him whilst I got on with some phone calls and put some of the stock into the new racking system. It was then time for me to go off to trim a horses feet. Charlie and Chris continued with Fergus for a while longer, put him out and bought Nounnat in, long lined her and did some ground work, put her out and bought Dougal in and did some ground work with him, they then put him out. Lou next door popped over to ask if she could use the school for half an hour with Dylan, Chris told her that I would be back soon. I returned tried to get hold of Lou without success so Chris and Charlie went and bought in Flo, Charlie long lined her around the school then down the lane and back to the school, we untacked her, Charlie put her reins on her and rode her around the school bare back, this was the first time he had ridden bare back. Lou came over so Chris and Charlie put Flo back into the field whilst Lou and I bought Dylan to the school. Chris and Charlie watched Lou working Dylan whilst I got on with some more office work. Once Lou had finished Chris and Charlie went to get Fergus as Sally was coming up to ride him and put him over a few jumps, after he had dried off a bit Sally rode him around the school, took him over a couple of jumps, rode him down the lane and through the gate and bought him back to the school, he is a good willing horse but definitely needs to lose some weight!! We will continue to work him. It was now time to end the long day ready for tomorrow. 

4th July 2012
Surprise, surprise it was another cold, damp day. Charlie was a bit late this morning but has almost reprieved himself by doing quite a lot of the mucking out of Kevin and Ollies stable. Whilst Chris and I were waiting for him to turn up a young girl came up with her dog, she asked me if I could catch him as she couldn't because he bites!! I said I didn't particularly want to be bitten so we encouraged him into the lecture room, at least there he was confined. After a short while her sister turned up with a lead, the only way they could get him was to lasso him and off they went. Charlie and Chris went off to check the horses and bring Fergus in for his first exercise period, when they had finished him they bought Dougal in, did some ground work, long lining and lunging then off Charlie went to get on with the mucking out. After a while Chris bought Brian in, gave him a good groom at which point Charlie joined her, they did some ground work with him and then time for lunch. Whilst all this was going on I was doing boring telephone calls and e-mails. Popping in and out to check on the progress and to guide them both in the right direction. Just after lunch Mandy turned up bought William in and Chris and Charlie bought Flo in, all 3 of us worked with Flo then Charlie long lined her down the lane with Chris and I in close attendance passing Kevin and Ollie, all went without a hitch seeing as Flo is in season. Mandy took William up the Crug for a hack then put him back into the herd, on our return we put Flo back into the herd. I bought Mel in and Charlie groomed her. Mel requires gentle, quiet energy so was a bit jumpy with Charlie whose energy was a bit high. I long lined her around the school, having to try different bridles to get her to understand, but in the end it was the simple knotted head collar that suited her best. After working with her for some time we ended on a positive note and put her back into the herd. Charlie and Chris went off to get Fergus for his 2nd session. One of the lambs had broken through from the Crug and was running up and down the fence line so Chris and I went to put him back over the fence, he ran up the hill into the smaller field and somehow found his way back onto the Crug, by the time Chris and I had come back down to join Charlie the lamb had found his way back into our field so we moved him on again and he ducked under the fence back onto the Crug and finally ran off and found his mum, we spotted where he had come through and blocked it up. Charlie long lined Fergus and I lunged him, we tacked him up and Charlie rode him around the school. By the time Charlie and Chris put him back in with the herd it was time for Charlie to go home. I went into the workshop to sort out some deliveries that had arrived and parcelled up a few things that are due to go out tomorrow. Time to go back to the office and continue with orders and answering e-mails.  

5th July 2012
A really good start to the day, sunny and bright. Charlie was almost on time today. Chris and Charlie went off to check the herd and to bring Fergus in for his morning exercise, while on got on with office stuff!! When they had finished with Fergus they bought in Dougal and worked with him for a while, after they had put him out they had lunch. After lunch I bought Basil in, I lunged him for a while to show Charlie the difference between large horses that are best for pulling heavy loads and his movements and those that are more suited to pull lighter loads and riding, I long lined him and then let Charlie have a go to help him understand that a horse of Basils size and strength will not do anything he doesn't want to, you must work with him and train him. We put Basil out and bought Love in to show him the different actionsof a fine English Warm Blood, Love is very well trained so very easy to demonstrate with, she works long and low very easily. Tower had decided he didn't want to come with his mum and stayed in the field with his mates. When we returned Love to the herd Tower strolled over for a drink, that is the advantage of foals being bought up in a herd situation, plenty of aunts and uncles to look after them. Chris and Charlie bought William in for Mandy, Mandy lunged him and long lined him then Charlie rode him bare back to see the difference between the horses that he rides. Mandy rode William over a couple of jumps then she put him back in the field whilst Chris and Charlie bought in Flo and Fergus. Mandy lunged Fergus whilst Charlie long lined Flo, he long lined her around the school getting her into trot and then got her to jump 18". Mandy and Chris tacked up Fergus and Mandy rode him around the school to get used to him, she then took him for a hack up the Crug with Chris whilst Charlie long lined Flo down the lane with me in close attendance. We got back to the school before Chris and Mandy, we untacked Flo and Charlie put her out by which time a lot of the herd had come into the top field leaving some of them in the hay field. Mandy and Chris came back, Fergus was reasonably warm so we left him in the school while we had a cuppa, Charlie then put him back in the herd. It was then time for Charlie and Mandy to go home, I continued in the work shop making shaft tips until around 8pm. Lou popped over with Dylan to use the school. The yard has certainly been a hive of activity this week!!! 

6th July 2012
A very wet and miserable day. Chris and Charlie checked all the horses, they are all ok but really fed up now with this horrible weather!! Fergus was bought in, we long lined and lunged him to warm him up, Chris then rode him around the school, down the lane and up to the stables this lasted almost an hour, Charlie rode him for a short while and then I rode him. Chris and Charlie put him back into the herd and I popped into town. Chris and Charlie bought Mel in did some ground work with her and long lined her, when I got back they said she was a bit nervous, which is not like her, she is normally pretty laid back. They then bought Dougal, he lunged really well but when they went to long line him he threw his teddy right out of the cot!! it took me a while to calm him down to put his tack on and to long line him, it all ended very positive but for 2 totally laid back horses to be edgy it must be something to do with the weather or the noise of the constant rain on the roof!!! Or maybe Chris and Charlies energy was higher than normal. Flo was then bought in, she wasn't her normal self either, she did do everything that was asked of her even while playing different sounds and music through the PA system. It was then time to bring Fergus in for his afternoon session, whatever was upsetting the other didn't appear to bother him. We did some ground work and lunged him, he is defifinitely changing shape and losing weight, we have now got him into the next size down girth and his movement is a lot freer. Chris rode him bare back, long and low. Charlie had a go before we put him back into the herd as it was coming up to the time when Charlie had to go. Today was his last day with us, he said he will be back to visit. I went down to the workshop for a couple of hours. It still continues to rain, now we have mud everywhere again, just like winter!!! I agree the temperature is in double figures but only just!!! 

7th July 2012
A lot drier and quite warm in sheltered areas. The ground is pretty soggy especially in the gateways. On the morning check of the horses they were all a lot happier and well spread out across the 3 fields. Bought Fergus in for his morning routine via the top stables to wash his legs, he had absolutely no problem with that whatsoever. We took him into the school for a groom, I long lined and lunged him before Chris rode him around bare back for a while. While having a cuppa we played over the PA system the familiarisation noises CD, most of them he was totally happy with, the dog howling gave him something to think about, we returned him to the herd and bought in Flo. Gave her a really good groom, its surprising there is any soil left on the land it all seems to be in the school!!!  We long lined her for a while and then tried on her some of Donalds old collars to see if they would fit her, the 2 I had were too small I can't believe that she is bigger in the neck than her dad was!! Put the lines back on her and drove her around the school with Chris on her, bare back, this gave her something else to think about, I connected her breachings to her saddle and long lined her, which did confuse her for a short while. I hung 2 sacks full of odds and ends over her back which confused her totally but she got used to it very quickly. I took the sacks off and long lined her as usual then put her back into the herd. It was now lunch time. Down to the workshop to improve my welding skills and make some parts for Simon to test to see if we can add them to our range. Mandy came up and went with Chris to get William and Fergus. Chris lunged Fergus while Mandy lunged William, Mandy took over lunging Fergus whilst Chris groomed William, Mandy then rode Fergus around the school bare back, getting him into trot and walking long and low, she did lots of silly things on him like riding side saddle without a saddle and sitting on him backwards riding him looking at where she had been, Fergus coped with all of this very well, it was then time to put them both back into the herd. Mandy went home. I went back into the workshop. Lou and Richard bought Dylan over to use the school. I finished in the workshop, came in packed some parcels up and called it a day. 

8th July 2012
A nice bright and warm day with only a couple of light showers. It was an early start to get ready for The Horse Agility Fun Morning. We all had a great time, the horses were finding it difficult to concentrate as the grass is quite lush in the permanent Agility field. Fergus was brilliant and did every obstacle asked of him with the minimum of encouragement from Chris. Carol and Love went round the majority of the obstacles getting stuck at a couple but with encouragement from Carol and the help of Tower!! she managed to do all she was asked. Pam took Dougal round who was far more interested in the grass but did manage to go over the seesaw eventually!! Moved the herd into the dipped field and shut off the hay field and small Crug field to give it chance to grow once more. The majority of my neighbours especially those growing corn dislike the big flock of crows that we have, I think they are great, by this evening they had harrowed the hay field for me, scratching about and eating the bugs!! Chris took Fergus out for a ride with Mandy on William, down the lane, into the field, round the estate and back up again, they both had a really good time, Fergus behaving himself as usual. Chilled out for the rest of the afternoon watching the mens finals at Wimbledon. On checking the herd this evening, they are all chilled in their new field. Tower has not yet managed to destroy anything but am sure he will have done by the time he is moved, he sure is an inquisitive little foal!! 

10th July 2012
Reasonably bright start it soon clouded over but did remain mostly dry. The herd are munching their way quietly through their field, we really could do with some warm, dry weather to get the grass to grow quicker!! Chris bought Fergus into the school and exercised him, she then took him down to the Agility field and did all the obstacles. I gave him a short lesson on walking beside me at my shoulder and not behind, he soon got the hang of it, we then returned him to the herd. I got on with the chariot and iBex and Chris went off to town. Later in the afternoon Chris bought Fergus in for his evening exercise session whilst I continued in the work shop and got all my gear ready for a job to do tomorrow.    

11th July 2012
Not too bad a start to the day. On the early morning check the horses are still happy munching away and well spread out. I was off the yard all day visiting clients, relating to horses and the saddlechariot. All went well, clients all happy, managed to get lost a few times but did bump into some very interesting people, this didn't help my time keeping much but did manage to get home at around 7.45pm!! Chris looked after the yard and gave Fergus his morning exercise in the school. Mandy came up in the afternoon, she bought William in and Chris bought Fergus in. Mandy worked William while Chris did some ground work with Fergus, Mandy put William out then rode Fergus around the school, took him into the Agility field and popped him over a few jumps then up the Crug, back to the school. She then returned him to the herd. He is becoming a truly fit little guy.  

12th July 2012
A wet and not very warm day ending with yet more torrential rain!! Bought Fergus in and worked him before returning him to the herd. Off to town. Came back in time for lunch then a long chat with Simon. We bought Flo in, long lined her for a while then fitted her new harness and long lined her with it on. She certainly started her day on a mission wanting to get it all over with but soon realised it was going to be a longer session than usual with things she had not done before. After all this was over Chris untacked her and we decided to paint her with water colours, lots of different patterns to see how she would respond as this is going to be part of her job on the fun days that we are getting ready for. She accepted most of the paintings providing you were positive and not tickling as she thought you were a fly!! It took her a while to get used to us using paint stamps on her as she felt the pressure a bit strange, this is something we will work on, when young people are doing it she must learn to accept all of it in different ways. Mandy was going to come up and take Fergus up the Crug and over a few jumps in the field but the weather was so atrocious she didn't come so we took him into the school for a bit of exercise and some ground work to get him to walk beside me at my shoulder, he has really got into his routine. A good productive day, lets hope the rain stops soon!! 

13th July 2012
A lovely day with the sun shining and pretty warm. Checked the herd and with the incredible amount of rain we had over night the fields almost resemble the fields of winter!!! If only the horses could walk everywhere at a sensible speed instead of haring around like lunies the grass would last a little bit longer. Chris bought Fergus in to give him his morning exercise after we had walked him down to see if there was any post. I got on with some work in the workshop. We had two potential customers visit today for the saddlechariot/iBex from Canada, they were with us for about 3hrs and enjoyed the demos, Flo behaved herself impeccably but then I knew she would! After the visitors had gone Chris and I went around the farm checking the fields, fence lines etc. Back to the workshop for me to get on with some more work. I was totally surprised by an enormous swarm of bees that went buzzing by, where they went I do not know. I gave Fergus the night off tonight. We have had our fair share of rain now, it is as wet now as it has ever been in the winter, I know that Wales gets more than its fair share of rain that's why we collect it, store it and sell it to the Midlands but enough is enough!!! If they're short let them catch their own! We need dry weather now to get on with all those summer jobs.  

14th July 2012
A dry and chilly start with a couple of heavy showers just in case we forgot what rain looks like!!! Chris and I checked the herd and took Fergus out the top gate to wash his legs at the stables. We then took him for a walk down the lane to the road on the way back we stopped at the field to let him have a munch on some different grass, bought him back gave him a groom and returned him to the herd. Time to make a few phone calls and have a cuppa. Chris went and got Flo who had just managed to roll in the wettest part of the farm totally covering herself in mud, Chris spent some time trying to get the majority of the mud off then plaited her tail and mane, tacked her up and long lined her around the school, in and out of the iBex and around it, I pulled it around beside her and towards her then tied tin cans on the back and continued to pull it around, I put the sacks over her back, touching her sides and long lined her some more. We moved all the bits and pieces and put down some trotting poles, Chris long lined her in both directions and then trotted her round, we untacked her and returned her to the herd, an absolutely brilliant session. I did try a prototype driving saddle on her which I'm still not 100% satisfied with. Off to the workshop to get an order ready for a lady to collect tomorrow, this took longer than expected as the phone kept going and people kept popping in to see me, its nice to be popular!!! Carol came up to see Love, have a cuppa and a chat The end to another day. 

15th July 2012
Day off today. I checked all the horses then off to Cardiff to spend the day with Jo and Patrick. Still managed to buy a few odds and ends for the horses. Chris looked after the yard, all went well. Man came to pick up the shafts for his chariot. Chris rode Fergus up the Crug. 

16th July 2012
A damp, miserable start after heavy rain during the night. Checked all the horses all looking really well. Flint is keeping Valley company in the Agility field as they could both do with that extra bit of grass. Chris bought Fergus and Flo in and lunged while I got on with insurance etc. That time of year again!!! Mary came up for a chat and a cuppa. Sally came up and played with Winnie then went for a ride on Roh. I had to go to Leominster and an engineer in Hay by the time I got back the weather was more miserable, cold and blook!!! I checked the horses and went back to the dry office. Not the most exciting day!! Does sound like the weather is going to improve, fingers x'd. 

17th July 2012
Reasonably dry day with just a couple of heavy showers midday. I'm sure I have never seen the fields as wet as they are now, not even in the winter. Checked the herd only to discover one was missing, looked through them to see which one was missing and Chris soon realised it was Roh, she has been known to pop over fences before so while Chris got Fergus I walked the perimeter fence to see where she had gone through, all the way around 3 fields no sign, got back to Chris and we spotted that she was on the Crug. We let Fergus re-join the herd, shut the rest of the herd into the lower field and went to retrieve Roh. We decided to walk her down the lane and into the yard that way as she had forgotten how she got onto the Crug!!! Returned her to the herd then bought Fergus in , Chris lunged him then rode him bare back for a while. We tried some finger painting on him, he wasn't bothered at all. Took him back to the herd and bought Flo in, Chris gave her a really good groom and I picked her feet. Chris rode her around the school bare back we then practised painting her with paint pads, she now accepted them a lot easier. We played with her with the sponge football which she initially found incredibly scary but after a short while she was tolerating it quite well, I'm sure tomorrow she will remember and not be quite so nervy. I then set up the new scarecrows I bought at the weekend and long lined her around and through them, Chris had a go then we returned her to the herd. Lou with Dylan had booked the school for an hour so we had a quick cuppa then off to mend fences to try and stop the escapees!!! When I had finished this it was time to make a few phone calls then off to the workshop. Had to pop out to see a client and didn't get back til quite late. Dinner and bed time!!  

18th July 2012
Rain, rain, rain and more ...... rain!!!!! and not that warm this morning. At about 2pm the sun showed its face and it was pleasantly hot for a couple of hours and then guess what........Yes, rain as if people were chucking water at us, about time this jet stream moved far away!! Checked all the horses this morning with great difficulty as I couldn't see through my glasses because of the damn rain, managed to check them all, apart from being wet they were quite happy grazing. Ollie refused to come out of his shelter and just peered around the corner. Decided it was pointless doing very much with them as they were so wet. Rang Simon which lasted a very long time!! Went down to the workshop as this seemed to be the best option, spent the rest of the day making component parts for the saddlechariot and iBex. Sally came up to ride so Chris joined her and they went up the Crug, they had a good ride but the ground was incredibly slippery. Finished in the workshop at about 8pm, time for dinner, a few e-mails then bed. 

19th July 2012
Overcast but dry. Checked the herd and they were fine, at the same time we bought out Fergus and Flo, took them past the stables and washed their legs and feet. We walked them down the lane to have a munch in the hedgerow, it's very interesting to watch them select what they want to eat, a whole range of herby things, a big mouthful of grass then a munch on young sycamore and ash, selecting different bits all the time. We then bought them back up and put Fergus back into the herd. I trimmed Flo's feet and Chris gave her a good groom. I long lined her around the school using wool as reins to see how gentle a pressure could be applied to get her to respond, yes the wool did break a few times but not as many as I thought!! Chris had a go and found it quite difficult but after a while got the hang of it. I then continued and she was becoming quite responsive to the lightest of pressure. We then tacked her up to put her into the iBex, she was a bit concerned about pulling it, she moved a couple of steps forward and then I released her. I put her back in and she was still concerned so released her again, untacked her and got her ready for long lining with traditional lines, Chris took her around a few times. Sally turned up to go riding with Chris. Chris got on Flo and I long lined her around the school bare back then returned her to the herd. Chris and Sally went off for a hack and I got on with putting a chariot together for Flo. When they returned we had a cuppa and Sally had to go. Chris and I bought Flo back in, tacked her up and put her in the saddlechariot, she did not seem overly happy so I took her out and altered her tack to be traces, first of all pulling 2 sacks about with odd things in them, she was a little concerned but soon settled down, I swapped the sacks to a jump pole base which was a little harder for her but she accepted this really well, I then swapped it for the hurdle we use for levelling the school and she very quickly got used to pulling it around and crossing her back legs to turn, I continued this for quite a while and realised that she is far more familiar pulling things when I am driving her from behind, not leading her from the head, it all ended very positively. One of the best days I have had for a very long time. We put her back into the herd and called it a day. She has now got a dedicated photo album, go to Photos and in the drop down box go to Flo. 

20th July 2012
Reasonably bright and sunny checked the herd, all very relaxed, many of them sleeping absorbing the warmth. Chris got Flo in a gave her a groom, we tacked her up and continued with her levelling the school, she went straight into it as if she had always done it so a good lesson learnt yesterday!! Off to town to do some odd jobs. Chris, Sally and Mandy went off for a long hack. When I got back it was time for lunch and then time to get ready to go to The Royal Welsh Showground in my advisory capacity to assess a horse and harness that is going to pull a hay wagon around the main ring for the 50 year parade. He is a really good horse and there is a total understanding and trust between him and his owner. Not quite the right type of harness but safe and secure and will do the job. Met lots of new people and some old friends. Got home quite late and time for dinner. A pretty long day!!  

21st July 2012
Absolutely brilliant day, clear blue sky and reasonably warm. Checked all the herd and then let them into a new field, its surprising how quick the ground is drying! Had quite a few phone calls to make. Once they were finished I went into the school to work Flo, Chris had bought her in earlier, she had given her a groom, plaited her mane and long lined her around the school, working on straight lines through the middle of the school without the aid of the wall!!  I then long lined her down the lane, came back, untacked her and had a cuppa, we then tacked her up in her harness and got her pulling different obstacles around the school. We then returned her to the herd. Chris took Fergus out for a ride and I came indoors as I was feeling a bit poorly and went to bed for about 2 hours. Once I got up I was feeling considerably better. Chris had bought Dougal and Fergus into the front field to join Flo, Valley, Flint and Mattie. Dan, Kelly and Amber-Leigh popped up to visit, when they left I went and got Mel in to join the others. They are all a bit closer for tomorrows Horse Agility to save a bit of time in the morning. Still not 100% so decided to call it a day. 

22nd July 2012
Another lovely summers day. It was an early start to get the course ready for the Agility. Checked the herd and they were all fine. The training session for the Horse Agility went really well and a few more obstacles were added. I took Flo around the course and where she was good she was really really good but where she was bad she didn't bother!!! This was to just check the course. Into the competition where Mandy and William came 1st, Chris and Fergus 2nd, Pam and Dougal 3rd, Sally and Roh 4th and Mary and Mel 5th, it was a good effort made by all. It was then time to get myself together to pick up some harness from the Abergavenny area then off to The Royal Welsh Showground to fit the harness to the horse and to make sure that everything was ok. Bumped into a friend which made me even later getting home.  

23rd July 2012
A beautiful warm, sunny day, is summer here at last!! Went round and checked all the herd, they are all enjoying the warm sunshine. Spent a lot of this morning watering the school and concentrating more on the edges to settle them down. In between making some more bits and pieces to use in Flo's training plan. Mary came up we had a cuppa then Sally came up and took Winnie for a walk whilst Chris rode Fergus, they went down to the road to watch the traffic, this was Winnie's first experience of lots of traffic. Made a few phone calls had some lunch then back to working with Flo. I went round the Agility course with her and did a few of the obstacles that she was getting stuck with yesterday, got her happy with 3 out of 4 of the obstacles so will carry on with them again tomorrow. Bought her into the school, tacked her up and Chris long lined her for a while, then I introduced some weight across her driving saddle, I then long lined for a while. Hitched up the levelling gate, she was soon very happy with the weight across her saddle and pulling. Went down the lane this time pulling a tyre to get her used to having noise behind her, she was very happy and willing and not phased by it at all, she was a very good girl, I then returned her to the herd. Another good day! 

24th July 2012
It sure is great to check the horses in beautiful sunshine and warmth. It's a pleasure standing in the middle of them watching them enjoy the gorgeous weather. Chris and I worked Flo, Dougal and Mel in the Agility field whilst it was coolish. Mary came up and also had a go. We then bought Flo into the school and went through the daily routine of doing odd things, long lining and pulling various things around the school, this morning we played music through the PA System. Put Flo back into the field. Time for lunch and spent some time with Pam as she has a week off. Got on with some odd jobs in the work shop, making things to help familiarise Flo with as many things as possible, she is as responsive now on the head collar and line as she is when being long lined. Mandy came up with some of her family, Chris bought William in so that her neice could have a sit on him. By the time they had gone it was time for us to do a bit more work with some of the horses. Chris took Fergus, Dougal and Flo around the Agility course, Flo and Dougal are happy once more with all the obstacles including the bridge, tyres and seesaw. Chris then bought Flo into the school to continue working, she is working brilliantly in and out of the school , up and down the lane, being led, long lined and pulling things.  Another great day. 

25th July 2012
Checked the horses bright and early ready for a day at The Royal Welsh. It was a good day catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. 

26th July 2012
Lovely, warm, dry with a haze over the hills, start to the day. Its a true joy checking the horses in this warm, dry weather as they are all relaxed and many sleeping in the early sun, with the odd one or two on guard. Then back to the school to get sorted out as we had Liz Adams coming to look at the saddlechariot/iBex and many features of. Mary turned up and made a cuppa while Chris took a couple of horses around the Agility course before bringing Flo in to use to demonstrate the fitting of the unique harness used for the saddlechariot/iBex. We then demonstrated some of our training techniques by which time it was time for the inevitable cuppa. We then went to the horse agility field and explained what it was all about using Flo to demonstrate some of our permanent obstacles then back to the office to look throught he photo album of the saddlechariot/iBex to explain the versatility of the many uses of the vehicles. Sally came up and took Winnie and Roh around the horse agility course whilst I continued to explain many of my thoughts on the keeping of horses. Sally decided to set up some jumps in the agility field to take Roh round at which point the rest of the herd came over to the fence line, which totally disrupted any plans we had for about the next half an hour as they were all so excited about something. Once they had all settled down Sally got Roh in, tacked her up and took her down, went around the course a bit and then bought her up, untacked her and put her back into the group. I  finished my conversation with Liz. Dan, Kelly and Amber-Leigh popped up. It was now time for a late lunch after which Chris and I took a few horses around the agility course including Mel who managed to do all the obstacles. Chris then got Flo took her over the bridge and tyres then took her into the school, we tacked her up and long lined her around the school pulling a few odd objects, noisy rattly things behind her are still concerning her a bit so will continue to do this. We put her back into the group. 


27th July 2012
Lovely day. Checked the horses and still enjoying the warm dry weather. I worked Mel, Dougal, Fergus and Flo in the Agility field and in the school. Nicola came up with Will and Abs to drop them off for the weekend then off she went to Cardiff to help her little sister to move. Had some lunch then Chris, Abs and I went down to the Agility field and worked Mel, Fergus, Dougal and Flo then I bought Flo into the school. I worked her in the school for a while, Abs rode her then I longlined her up to the stables then down the lane to the gate, towing the tyre and weights across the saddle. Back to the school and Abs and Chris gave her a groom. 

28th July 2012
Still dry but a little cooler. Abs and I checked the horses, they are still very chilled. Chris joined us and we moved Roh and Winnie from the Agility field back to the herd. We worked Dougal, Mel and Fergus around the Agility field they are getting pretty good at this even though I say it myself!! Chris took Flo around the course and we then took Flo and Fergus into the school. Abs led Flo around the school stopping and starting her then Chris and Abs gave them both a good groom. Chris and Abs rode Fergus around the school together bare back, we then returned him to the Agility field and did some more ground work and long lining with Flo. I went down and topped the field where Kevin and Ollie are, Abs joined me for a while but soon got fed up with going around in circles. Once I had finished topping the field we shut the front section off and moved Valley across from the Agility field and then moved Kevin into the Agility field to get him familiar with some of the other horses so that he can join the herd, we then let Valley join Ollie (she is a barren mare) she really seems to enjoy being in the company of Ollie. There was a bit of squealing and jumping about between Kevin and the other horses, Mattie decided it was too much for him and jumped the fence to join the main herd. It all settled down reasonably well with the occasional squeal!! Abs wanted to ride Flint so she and Chris went and bought him in, once in the school he wasn't going to settle as the rest of the herd came over to see Kevin so there was quite a lot of squealing going on so we then returned him to the herd. 

29th July 2012
A slightly chillier start to the day. Abs and I checked the horses, the ones I had left in the field next to Kevin had managed to push the gate open and joined the main herd. Ash came into the field to have a chat with Kevin, she is in season, maybe she remembers him when he was a stallion!!! Ollie and Valley have settled down really well, as usual, this is the 3rd year we have mixed them mid summer through to autumn. In previous years it was Kevin, Ollie and Valley, we had Kevin gelded just before last Christmas. We then checked the rest of the herd which had spread themselves out quite well, they have got the run of the majority of the fields now. Chris and Abs went and got Flo and Dougal and bought them into the school and gave them a groom and we did some basic ground work I then decided to long line Flo and Dougal as a pair, we tacked them up, I did a few circles of the school and figures of 8, it definitely works best with Flo on the inside, this was the first time they had been long lined together, it went really well. We put them in the field next to Kevin to join Ash. Time for a quick cuppa and then I decided to trim some trees from around the house with the help of Pam, Chris and then Carol arrived so she helped too. Chris then went and bought Fergus in and rode him in the school for some considerable time, towards the end Abs joined her, they then returned him to the herd. Time for some lunch. We worked Flo and Dougal again, individually and as a pair then returned them to the field with Ash. We went down and gave Ollie and Valley some hay to supplement their feed. Abs said she would like to go and see her horse Alice, so off we went down into the hay field, Alice was quite happy to be stroked and played with in the field but had no intentions on coming in. An early dinner and shower for the kids before their mum came to take them home. Gosh the house is quiet without their continual chatter!!! 

30th July 2012
A dry but not so warm start to the day, a few spots of rain and the odd very heavy shower. I checked the herd first thing, all happy and content. Off to top the field at the back of the stables. Back to the office to do a few odds and ends ready for going into town. I decided to tow the old horse lorry from the back of the school so that we can level the ground and re-stone it. Took Kevin around the Agility field for the first time ever, he did the horse box as if he had always done it, weaved the poles, walked through the tyre wall, half way up the bridge but then decided to jump off the side, two feet straight onto the stepping tyres and thought that was enough then promptly jumped straight across the highest tyres sideways!! Through the tunnel an absolutely brilliant effort for his first time. After he had finished we put Ash into the Agility field with him, he took very little notice of her but she kept chasing him around!! The rest of the herd came over and William stood by the fence squealing at Kevin but he took no notice. Mary turned up and Chris bought Flo and Dougal into the school. We worked them individually with Mary having a go then long lined them singularly and then as a pair, they're working very well together. Put them back into the field next to the Agility field. cuppa time!!! I then decided to put Flo and Dougal back into the herd at which point Mel came rushing into the field so decided this was a good time for Kevin to join the herd. There was very little fuss and no one was stupid enough or brave enough to challenge him. Off to town. Whilst I was in town I bought a new sprinkler for the school which works brilliantly. Time for lunch, made a few phone calls then time to check the herd which is now 28 and running approximately 36 acres. Kevin had got his own little group of horses in one field and the others were all in the adjacent field. We then bought Flo in to give her her evening schooling, I gave her a good groom and then tacked her up, Chris long lined her around the school for a while then I connected the traces to the hurdle we use for levelling the school and increased the weight load to give her something to truly pull, at first she had to think about it and then just got on with it. Once we had been around a few times in different directions I took the hurdle and the weight off and connected the tyre and string of old tin cans, long lined her down the lane, back round and through the field to the school, there was one hell of a noise behind her clanging and banging, she wasn't phased a bit, I just had to shout the commands a bit louder so she could hear me. Back into the school un-tacked her then let her out to join the herd. A very good productive day.  

31st July 2012
A lot cooler after a considerable amount of overnight rain. All the horses were happy and chilled. Mary turned up bright and early and Chris went and bought Flo in whilst Mary made a cuppa. I gave Flo a good groom then Chris rode her around. Tacked her up in her harness, lined her around the school then down the lane with the clattering tin cans following only to find the waterboard had parked their truck just around the corner, their ramps were down and rather noisy motors being started up. Flo decided that this was not what she wanted to go near, turned sharp left and started coming back to the school, with the clattering things still following!! After a few paces I stopped her, took the traces and cans off and led her back around the corner passing all those scary things!! Down the lane and back up, pass the scary things once more and then took her back to have a closer look by which time she was accepting them but not totally chilled. We went back round the corner and put the traces back on with the clattery things and drove her back to the school. Untacked her and returned her to the herd. Time for another cuppa. It was then time for Mary to go. Chris went and got Roh and I tidied up her feet, more a manicure than a trim!! Chris then bought Brian who was definitely a trim, then Flint who was also a definate trim. Sally turned up to take Roh for a hack. A reasonably long conversation was then had with Simon whilst Chris bought Roy in, we did a little bit of ground work with him and then gave him a really good groom and tidy up. We returned him to the herd and then a quick pop into town. Chris bought Flo in while I was in town and rode her for a while. When I got back we tacked her in her harness and the clattery things and drove her down the lane where the noisy, scary vehicles were, just to make sure she would go pass that spot, back to the school, took the traces and clattery things off and worked on driving her out of the school which has been a bit of an issue, after a few goes she was doing it perfectly happily. We returned her to the herd and called it a day.



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