Jack's head has swollen up a little and a deep bite has appeared on his forehead. It obviously wasn't just his ear that got chomped in his battle with badger. If it gets any worse he will have to visit the vet. Good old purple spray! Just as well he can't see what a plonker he looks...Feeling a little shabby this morning after the celebrations at Trafford House after hunting. It was excellent fun and we didn't get home until after 11 pm. The Irish contingent were as expected really good value with lots of singing of hunting and rugby songs. There were a couple of ex-Irish rugby players there, one of which we recognised from playing for Ireland as tight head prop. His name was Peter Clohessy who had got 50 caps for Ireland and 100 caps for Munster. He has got a reputation for being a bit of a 'bad boy' but has obviously mellowed as was very 'gentlemanly' and well behaved - sort of. One rather elderly but very robust lady (who will remain nameless) had obviously had one tipple too many and toppled into the hearth of the open fire. Doug went to pick her up and she brushed him off saying "I'm perfectly alright" "No you're not" he said "you're on fire" which she was - fire put out and no harm done! The Bicester people are a very friendly lot and a think we are going to have a lot of fun living here.
I took Red out to the up hill gallop on her own, we went three times up and her HR has seriously improved. Her maximum was 137 bpm, Average 87 bpm and recovery 65 bpm. Top speed 30.1 mph. She was very keen, and possibly we went a bit too fast the third time because she made a bit of a noise. She had a wind operation at the end of last season and we are just keeping our fingers crossed that it has worked. The other three went up the gallop twice as they had hunted the day before. All very good, Dream seems to be back on form and her recovery rate has come down to 94 bpm. Just needs to improve a little bit more before we think about entering her anywhere.
The pig-sties are coming on really well. All painted and look very smart. I spent the afternoon doing orders for both Velvet Energy and Equine Fitness - had an order from China for Stay Cold Boots. My delivery of blue-bells came today (400 bulbs) so spent a couple of hours planting them in the woods next to the house. It should look lovely in the Spring.
I took Red out to the up hill gallop on her own, we went three times up and her HR has seriously improved. Her maximum was 137 bpm, Average 87 bpm and recovery 65 bpm. Top speed 30.1 mph. She was very keen, and possibly we went a bit too fast the third time because she made a bit of a noise. She had a wind operation at the end of last season and we are just keeping our fingers crossed that it has worked. The other three went up the gallop twice as they had hunted the day before. All very good, Dream seems to be back on form and her recovery rate has come down to 94 bpm. Just needs to improve a little bit more before we think about entering her anywhere.
The pig-sties are coming on really well. All painted and look very smart. I spent the afternoon doing orders for both Velvet Energy and Equine Fitness - had an order from China for Stay Cold Boots. My delivery of blue-bells came today (400 bulbs) so spent a couple of hours planting them in the woods next to the house. It should look lovely in the Spring.
