End of Driving Season

It's been a while since I posted here.
I confess that I have been spending quite a bit of time recently with my feet up!!
On 17th October I received my new knee joint in Bournemouth Hospital, and now it is just a matter of time and the right exercises for the swelling to subside so that I can get back to helping out down at the stables.

Meanwhile, here is Wally's end of season report:

At the start of the season it was intended that our season this year would be extended until the end of November, depending on the weather. However in recent days I have noticed that both the horses and the helpers are getting tired. The change GMT from BST has made a difference to our daylight period.

If you are a helper who attends once a week and we really appreciate the time you spend with us, the Mums who take children to school and then dedicate time for us, some until it is time to collect them. This is terrific! The two helpers who travel from Portland and Eastleigh what can you say? The man who takes time out from his garden or allotment, you are the salt of the earth and your busy lives make you tired. Thanks to you all.

The band of people though, I call the dawn to duskers who help, feed, maintain the pasture and keep our animals in the condition they are in, These people do the early and late work, and escort or drive in between on most days, including weekends, bank holidays. It would be nice if another team or two could be found to relieve them Saturday afternoon and Sunday so that they get a break. We have one team who have offered to do the first Sunday every month. Thanks to them! This work in all weathers takes its toll, the Dawn to Duskers don’t complain but the fatigue of the season is beginning to show. A special thank you to the dawn to duskers and their reliefs.

I feel that now at end of October that it is time to lessen the work load by asking the groups not to come for driving any more until next season, and their place on our calendar will be kept for them, and say that on nice days get in contact come and have coffee with us. Individual drives will continue a little longer but not past the end of November when the horses will be roughed off, turned out for eight weeks. After the break until they are fit. I ask that no ridden school work is done and weight limits are very strictly adhered to.

For the group members this is the time to maintain harness, carriages and equipment also start training days for the helpers and potential A/B whips. For people who don’t know us, life goes on every day of the year. The program for Christmas Day is to do the horses (breakfast mixed with Guinness, or other brands of Stout are available) clean the paddock, fill the hay nets, then Dinner at the Court Yard Centre Lytchett Minster then back to check and feed the horses at tea time. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

From the committee of East Holton Driving Centre at Holton Lee