We are on a mission at Puttenham – a maintenance mission, the horses, the tack the grounds, the stables and I think I am beginning to regret the exercise. Each day flows into the next and the list grows. Perhaps because the days are shorter and the weather has been poor, we seemed to be in continual twilight yesterday.
Each horse has had a complete once over by our vet, Simon Knapp and their winter programme mapped out depending what they have done this season. Their blood, heart, lungs legs, eyes, teeth and flexion all checked. Generally the older horses are being kept in work but no jumping and the younger ones are getting out. The tack has been sent to the menders and hopefully if my errant saddler who shall remain nameless ever appears we will refit the saddles. It is surprising how these horses change shape and we try and have the saddles checked regularly.
See the rest of blog 9. Maintenance and Zappa’s dressage at www.wembleyiii.blogspot.co.uk/