A Foal is Born
Highland pony breeder and wildlife film maker Caroline Brett tells the story of her mares last few days before she gives birth to a foal. Caroline walks us through the signs that you should look for and covers topics such as how to look after your pregnant mare and the husbandry methods needed.
France
Excellent article from Simon Barnes, Chief Sports writer for the Times, on his recent trip to the European Eventing Championship in Fontainebleau, France. What it's really like to be a sports writer on such an occasion. How Germany lost on penalties and how for one eventer it was their time to "step up" and seize the moment -to find the very best of themselves.
Cheltenham and the start of a new horsey year?
Cheltenham festival starts today and as usual it has already brought more than it's fair share of drama and we are only just past the first half of the first day. (e.g. no favourites have won a race yet) I was brought up in Cheltenham though for various reasons that don't bear logical scrutiny it was only when I left the town that I became interested in following National Hunt Racing!
I've written about various trips I've had to the festival before - such sweet memories! The build up - the buzz - the excitement .Managed to catch James Nesbitt being interviewed about his horse in the Arkle - Riverside Theatre - and how he found the whole experience totally absorbing - I know exactly what he means even though I've never had the fortune to have a runner there . Riverside Theatre didn't win but I hope James had a grand "craic " come what may.
However if Cheltenham is the climax of the National Hunt season it is also in many ways the proper beginning of the the year for many of us horse enthusiasts.
It's this time of year when the horses can be let out properly from the stables - when the ground dries up and the grass begins to grow - when tack needs to be cleaned and when we all begin to relish the chance of riding out in the lighter evenings. It's the season to appreciate the plants that have begun to grow - hear the skylarks rising from the ground in the morning -a time to brush aside the horrible cold and snow of this winter we've had - the time of year to get down to the serious business of horses!
