12th November, 2011 Christmas Gift!!

So excited that the next IH magazine is almost ready and should be received by IH members on 1st December. As well as a free IH DVD, there is a £5 voucher for TopSpec feeds and a competition to win Heather Moffett's new book. There are articles about Caesar (the horse not the Roman), horse accomodation and how to keep your horse's attention. The magazine looks absolutely lush and once again Simon, the designer, has done an amazing job with the words and pictures I've sent him. Without the contributors though, nothing!

10th November, 2011 Hanoverian Police Horses?

Gorgeous dressage horse Riva, surprised us all today by accepting four blowy carrier bags with very little concern. The idea had been to use it to replicate flapping birds which have spooked her before. The bags themselves were quite rustly but I work very slowly only speeding up incrementally.  After that I attempted to imitate the movement and calls of  birds! I kept expecting the Autumn Watch crew to turn up.  Riva's owner can now repeat and progress this work in various conditions and environments.

9th November, 2011 Artistry

Hannah Steedman, who sometimes comes out to work with horses with me, has an incredible talent for recreating the true essence of a horse. She tells me that she has still got time to have commissions ready for Christmas so if you'd like a really beautiful present for yourself or someone close to you, here are her details.

7th November, 2011 Indiana Wants Me

The shortest horse reports I write are about 'good' ponies, or rather those where they have learned no bad habits or had no poor handling. Indiana seems to have had a great start to life. Forest-bred but kindly handled she has even been through the sales without any trauma. She loves being around people and learns everything very quickly. She was bred by the Gerellis - father Tony is a Verderer and son, Jonathan, the Head Agister. Today we did some very straighforward leading work, some gentle and simple groundwork and some work on foot handling. Her new owner, Sally, is thrilled to bits with her and so she should be!

5th November, 2011 Unearthed

Just spent the last few days in Cambridge meeting up with Janet and Kay for the first time in 20 years when we all took our MBA together. I was treated to a much needed dose of culture including paintings by Vermeer and Bridget Riley but resisted the cake! Last night it was off to see Milton Jones at the Corn Market. I must confess to feeling unearthed when I am away from horses so it was good to go and say hello to the cobs in the field just outside the hotel. They were as pretty as a picture too!

2nd November, 2011 Where's the nail varnish?

Puck and the girls were all good for the farrier today - their very first trim. Matt, who was being paid for his time rather than per trim, was able to take his time so that not only did they end up with beautiful feet but they had nothing to worry about either. It's worth doing this in the early days so that the farrier can work without pressure and take over from where the training has left off.

"Thank you for all your hard work, care and attention shown to Muffy, Milly, Molly and Puck over the last few months. You would have smiled to yourself this evening when Puck, and Molly in particular, were racing around the paddocks. I am sure they were feeling liberated after their pedicures today! Matt has done a wonderful job and we very much appreciated his care and attention - what a lovely guy. Sincere and heartfelt thanks for a wonderful job - well done."  AR

1st November, 2011 The Dragon Whisperer

A really wonderful day at HorseWorld meeting up with Kelly and Monty and Dragon's Den regular Deborah Meaden, all the staff from HorseWorld and many other friends and trustees of the Charity. HorseWorld is IH's Charity of the Year and features in the next Intelligent Horsemanship Magazine which is due out on 1st December. Best get editing then!

Deborah Meaden is not a Dragon at all!!