Wednesday 20 February 2013

We have been spoiled for the last couple of days with the most glorious spring-like weather but now winter has come back with a vengeance and a cruel easterly wind. However, the horses are all in really good form and were hugely enthusiastic about going up the gallops this morning. Peter was in so three of the youngsters were schooled in the menage - Rosie, Ben and Button, with the lovely Dream giving them a lead - no matter how many times she is made to jump the tyres and the hurdle she never loses her eagerness and just happily keeps popping over and over again, bless her. Ben and Button went really well and so did Rosie until she decided that she had done enough and that was that. She has to be managed with kid gloves and an enormous amount of patience but she is improving all the time.It was suggested that we tried her in a 'pacifier' which is like a hood with gauze over the eyes to cut out some of the light as sometimes, particularly mares, they can be much calmer in a darker environment, so I have now purchased one and it will be duly tried out tomorrow. Jake is in a fantastic mood now and clearly knows that he won at the week-end. It is amazing the difference it makes to their personality - it really is all about confidence. We have contacted the handicapper and apparently he has a mark of 125 which should be enough to guarantee him a place in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. Doug has already started to box walk, so goodness knows what he will be like nearer the time!