My first horse was a year old shire gelding who needed a loving home, he stayed with me for about 5 years but then I felt I was not doing him justice and found him a great home at a brewery where he could do what he was meant to do in life, work delivering the beer around the streets of London. Later he was sold to a lady who showed him successfully until a turn in fate and he sadly died from peritonitis. I feel at ease as I know he had a happy life after a not too good start.

Annie (1981 ~ 1999)

Whilst I owned my Shire I also brought a Dutch Warmblood mare who I had for a wonderful nine years. We had good times and bad, On many occasions she would go home from a hack without me, particularly when she was in season!!! But I could trust her with my life. For eight years we had great times, mad gallops, lazy hacks, helping youngsters get out on the roads and learn about those nasty things called cars - she was a super surrogate mother to all young horses. Every Boxing Day we had our mad Christmas ride on the UK Chaser Course letting rip as no-one else was out! But sadly out on a quiet hack one day she suddenly just fell over - no idea what happened and she looked totally shocked, I led her home and assumed she had stumbled. Days later she was found down in the shelter and unable to get to her feet. The Vet came and some five hours later she managed to stand and came flying out into the paddock. Then all the tests began to find out what was going on. This started in February and finally on May 7th 1999 I had to say goodbye as she had been diagnosed with Myeloma and things were getting worse for her. By that point she looked like a hat rack and was unable to keep on any weight, and was so weak it was unfair to carry on. She was a special creature and will always be missed.

Blandysfarm Zig Zag

Then came my Chestnut British Warmblood mare a four year old, she was not what I was looking for and if I am honest totally unsuitable, but I was smitten and brought her anyway. We had years of trials and tribulations, I could not work it out, we had the most fantastic and special bond, but she was a total nightmare to ride, unpredictable her riders spent  more time on the ground than in the saddle! No matter how many broken bones and injuries I sustained I just knew we had to be together (now I know I am mad!!!). Oh in case your thinking I am a terrible rider, she actually used to ditch most people that got on her!!!! In 2001 I decided I would never ride her again after a very bad fall where I really did hurt my back seriously. But I knew I could never part with her, from the ground our relationship was so special, and it was obvious she hated work. Then she too became ill, colic at least twice a week and then peritonitis. Thankfully she pulled through but at that point I began to feel there must be something more I can do to help my horse and make her happy, and so came the next one ....

Cassie

In 2002 I found my next mare a little 3 year old Welsh Cross palomino. Again she had her problems and I used to feel I attracted "difficult" horses. Her arrival on my yard helped to stop the colic with my other mare and I then realised it had all been due to stress and loneliness. But the palomino had issues of her own, and I battled through for months being pushed and pulled about, ran over trampled on, finally I stood there screaming at her, "I do everything for you why can't you give something back? I'm out here all hours all weather and you treat me like dirt" I stormed off the yard so frustrated but then all became clear to me, I have one with health issues and one with emotional issues, that is why they are with me!  Its taken time with Cassie, lots of Reiki, herbs, love and understanding but now it is like owning a different little mare - she's become so gentle and just wants to please all the time.  Sadly during last year she developed some suspected neurological problems, but with the therapies she is stable and enjoying retired life.

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