Thursday 9 August 2012

Fairwood Dante


                It was great to welcome back Fairwood Dante to the yard this week.  He is owned locally by James & Jane Symonds.  We had him in training here before and he ran well in his bumpers and over hurdles.  He is a big, old-fashioned staying chaser type.
                James & Jane would love him to run in a Novice Chase at Wincanton, our local track, and hopefully on Badger Beer Day.  We all love Wincanton, as I went to Pony Club camp there many years ago with The South & West Wilts, and James and Jane have been going there for many years and will have plenty of friends there to have a drink or two with!  James is Chairman of The South & West Wilts point to point.
                Dante is a horse that was a little tense in his work when we last had him so Buffy, our vet, is going to come and check him out before we ride him to check him over for any aches and pains.  He will be trained from the field and will have plenty of loose trotting in the school before he is seen.  He has been very well prepared by his owners and we are all looking forward to having lots of fun with him this coming season.

Fairwood Dante

Sunday 5 August 2012

Horses back in training


                It is great that a few of the winter jumpers have come in to start their walking; this is a very important time conditioning their feet, legs and bodies so that they can do more later on.  Their feet are always trimmed well, even whilst on their break.  We have been lucky this summer with all the grass growth, so the horses are looking particularly well and have enjoyed their rest, which is good for them mentally. 
                Buffy, our vet, came the other day to do her pre-season check with them before they are ridden. I am finding that by sorting a few niggles now before they really get going, we can hopefully save the owner more money later in the season - prevention is much better than cure!
                Headly’s Bridge has really strengthened up and looks as if he has been doing weights in the gym when we were not looking!  And I am very pleased with Outside The Box, we are starting in a much better place now than we were last year, having learnt a hell of a lot about him last year, which was his first season with us.  I believe we can improve them both again.  Poppy also came back into work and has started walking.  She is owned by the EPDS Racing partnership and is an un-raced and un-named 3-year-old filly with shares available.  She has also really strengthened up for her break and is also barefoot, as are Headly and Outside The Box.