...paddock pride...

it's a grassy business...

Spring is the time (or before if the weather is perfect for it) to do a bit of paddock maintenance.   A few hours spent in the Landrover with Placebo playing loudly, reaps great benefits during the growing season.  











I try to do this as early as possible, much frowning from John is to be ignored at this time - what do geek-geniuses know about grass?














Chose a windy day so your seeds are caught in a gust and disperse finely and evenly.  Buy an extra bag of herb seeds to add to the grass mix.  The ground needs to be dry, but not too hard, otherwise your seed won't get properly buried by the harrow.
















So first, I throw seed by hand - I have a spreader that goes on the back of 'Bob' (the sit on lawn tractor), but I do a much better job.

Then I harrow, concentric circles, going as close to the edges as I dare.  I do every inch, both ways - I harrow that land to within an inch of it's life, because rampaging Trakehners take their toll.

Tom & Henry keep a beady eye on all proceedings related to their land....

...spring silliness.....

....Tom & Henry finally out at grass, and how yours truly risked life and limb taking photos....
I was standing in the midst of the action & John took these from behind the safety of the fence!

Sit back with a cuppa, and enjoy the fierce speed of care free galloping - I was there, so you didn't have to be.

...We have LIFT OFF!

another weekend on Instagram...

Instagram, it's a new addiction...

Tom and Henry are quite possibly the most photographed horses on the planet, I kid you not.

   

.......so when a friend told me about Instagram I naturally jumped at the chance to share my beloved boys with a wider audience - whether they were ready for us or not!

I have 'met' so many interesting and devoted equine keepers, it's a joy to use it.

Now, i am slow to social media, i don't do facebook or tweet, like my husband - but sharing beautiful and amusing stories and pictures about Tom and Henry, well, they're just such an easy subject to write about!

So almost a year into Instagram Tom & Henry have over 700 'followers', and because its the photos that lead to dialogue, its just quicker/easier than a blog.

I simply take my phone everywhere, document all crazy stuff, funny stuff, gorgeous stuff - and if your a regular on TCJ you'll know by now there's always a lot of that type of 'stuff' here.

It's a great way to ask questions, share dilemmas, resolve problems - because it's reach is global.  I have a buddy in Canada for eg, and she's naturally the best person to seek advice for cold weather tips.  another in California, she's key to hot weather problem solving.

...it's really friendly and if you don't like something, just hit the unfollow button, it couldn't be simpler.

I chat with a young girl in Newcastle who keeps a pony thats the same age as me - 45!! incredible, so getting important help from experts is really easy, and no one makes you feel like a fool.

.....give it a go, if nothing else, its a tremendous resource.

Happy Birthday Henry

...bathtime...

...a Spring-clean...

In Essex at the weekend, sunday afternoon, when normal people were either napping, in the pub or walking the dog - 

I had the mad idea to bath the boys.  

Tom and Henry have been at the health spa since October, mud baths everyday and cold showers, an intense beauty regime i'm sure you'll agree.   

But whilst these treatments are good for the skin, hair and nails, they leave a lasting 'earthy' residue on by would-be shiny boys coats.

So, hose, wellies,  shampoo and a great deal of foam and much soaking later, they were bay once more!

 ...and what better way to dry off than to nap with a haynet in the sunshine?  perfect xxx