12th JAN

We are up this morning and once again, there is no water. Should have had that shower last night! We head off to the stables. There are 13 of us taking a ride, mostly children and beginner clients. I am riding Nsync. I am tail end Charlie and have 4 kids to look after and teach. We go on the roads and do not do much as far as trotting goes. We turn at Mitford once again as the ground is still wet and head for the beach. We will see if we can get the kids to trot on the beach. It is a success, although the kid riding Robin is battling a little. Cheryl looks after the novices and five of us head out for the canter. It is like a spring tide today. We don’t stay at the beach for long though and head home. We do not have an afternoon ride but will go home and dip and inject the mares and foals at home for the afternoon.
I meet Starlight, a 90cm Falla Bella (miniature pony), and her son, Stuart Little, who is much bigger than his Mom. Even I have to bend down to get to Starlight’s mouth to give her some concentrate feed! Joan of Arc and her foal, Zeena, are next on the list. Zeena is nervous for her injection. We get the needle in and the next minute she is out of her stable, having jumped the rope which closes it. She runs around the paddock still with the needle in her. It is starting to come out. We get her back in the stable just in time for me to push the needle back in. We let her settle down and then eventually get the injection done. We finish with all the mares and foals at 17h30. Drat, with no rain, there is no water. Bucket bath yet again tonight. I eat some left over curry and retire to bed. The rest are having Pork chops for dinner.