May, 2010
As we mentioned in the last issue, we’ve got a new working pupil who has made a real difference to the place. We’ve just been doing the bare necessities for so long now it’s a real pleasure to have some help catching up with those extra jobs. The horses are appreciating all the extra grooming since they all turned into woolly mammoths this winter, and are anxious to get back to their summer wear. The fields are clear of muck, the fencing works, the lawns are mown. Two stables that were full of junk were cleared out ready for a full clinic, and we’ve got a new feed shed. I wouldn’t dare to say we’re on top of things, but they’re less on top of us now!
Our campaign to turn some of our free-loaders into earners is going well. There’s been some interest in a couple of the horses and our “leasing” scheme. The idea is that instead of owning a horse and having all that responsibility, the right person would take on one of our lovely beasts, have full access to them as if they were their own, pay us livery, be able to come on clinics and have on-going support from two of Intelligent Horsemanship’s most long-standing Recommended Associates, but not have to worry about long term commitment. Lots of people seem to think it’s a good idea – it’s just a question of finding the right person for each horse!