Diva has been keeping up with her resolution to do more exercise, and last weekend we walked through North Luffenham and past the village pub.
Unfortunately, it was too early for us to pop in, so Diva remains unaware of our plans to have a drink en route. We will head to South Luffenham next week to check out the pubs there.
This week’s stormy weather meant we did not go for a walk, so she has been keeping a keen eye on the yard work.
She helps with poo picking (well, she looks after the wheelbarrow while I do it) and has even taken to inspecting the muckheap.
The muckheap is beautifully managed, I confess to being a little obsessed with keeping it tidy. I really must get out more!
We endeavour to make it up in layers so that it stays tidy and we can get more soiled bedding in the area than if we simply tipped it out.
Of my three equines, Diva is the easiest to muck out—and not simply because she is the smallest. She never digs up her bed, etc., as she never lies down on it.
She is a tiny pony in a large stable and the bedding is down over half the floor area. However, she only ever lies down on the bare rubber matting at the front of the stable and uses the rest purely for her ablutions! Silly pony.
Florence is the hardest to muck out as she tends to move around and bury the droppings. I am looking forward to the summer when they are out every day and for longer.
Already I am noticing a difference in the evenings being lighter for longer, so things will soon feel easier down at the yard.
Nothing like finishing the horses in the daylight for making you feel good.
It’ll soon be summer!
With things getting off to a rocky start – I think I read this is the worst rainfall in over 50 years! – what better pick-me-up than the “Fred & Rowena Cook: A Life After Racing” rehoming service contacting me about the most precious four-year-old gelding, who was looking for a new home straight from the British Racing School (BRS)?
The trio have been keeping me busy these past few weeks: Freya has had a saddle fitting, Bob’s had a lesson and Autumn’s been out with a new friend exploring lanes not too far from our yard.
Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) usually gets her summer coat quite early compared to other horses and ponies, but this year she has been holding onto hers for a lot longer.
Is it spring yet? It’s been teasing us the last few days, going from a few dry days when I could walk across most of the field and it felt like spring, to heavy downpours, including hail, which reverted the field back to a quagmire. I didn’t let it put me off too much, though, and I’ve now managed to get all three horses back into work! Eek!