Equine Dental Maintenance

First a gag is fitted for Charlie Brown by Julian Radburn of Damory Veterinary Clinic in Blandford.

Next - inspection

Treatment!

Each year at this time the horses get a thorough health check by Damory Vet Clinic's equine specialist, Julian Radburn, and any booster vaccinations that are required. Teeth are particularly important for our ageing horses. All four horses needed sharp edges rasping down of their molars to maintain efficient grinding of feedstuffs; Charlie and Felix needed the use of an electric burring tool to help grind off the hard enamel and received a mild sedative to help them.

To treat all four horses took around three hours, and Julian declared that all four horses were in excellent condition and fine fettle after the winter months, which is all down to Wally and Denise whose knowledge of horses and their care is second to none.

Time To Relax.

Sarah, one of our volunteer helpers, finds time to relax with her sketch pad while Marmite poses patiently!

Down at Ashtree Stables we like to feel that we can offer something for everyone. We encourage people to come along if only to visit us for a coffee and a chat, or simple contact with the horses, or just to watch the activities in these wonderful peaceful surroundings. On a fine day it is such a pleasure to sit outside the chalet over lunch or at the end of the day, basking in the sun, watching the variety of birds that visit the bird feeder in the Ash tree. Of course, any help with the cleaning of harness or sweeping up is always welcome!

Royal Visit - HRH Princess Anne

Wally Pitt meets HRH The Princess Royal

Princess Anne chatting to Wally and Tony Heaton (Director for the Arts & Environment of Holton Lee) with Maggie and many of our helpers in support.

Princess Anne having a word with Tim Worner, our secretary.

John Newell, hidden behind Wally, has a word, reminding the Princess that he was present when she opened the Barn 12 years ago. Denise, at Maggie's head has no worries about Maggie who looks too bored for words! The Princess did give Maggie a royal pat on the neck!

On the 7th February HRH Princess Anne opened the new wing of the Barn at Holton Lee and, at very short notice, members of the East Holton Driving Centre were requested to be presented.P
As Patron of the RDA it was no surprise that the Princess wanted to meet some of us, and we felt very proud to be recognised and presented to Her Royal Highness.

Our morning was spent cleaning the Bennington cart and harness after feeding and grooming the other three who were turned out in the school. Maggie received a bit of extra attention to grooming of course.

The schedule was very precise and we had to be at the top of the lane by 1 o'clock ready to move into position in the car park area in front of the Barn as soon as the Princess walked up to the arts pavillion, where she was due to spend only 10 minutes. Bang on cue she emerged and walked down with her party of local dignitaries to be presented to Wally and our group.

Maggie was perfectly behaved and stood patiently, unmoved by everything going on, and Wally, no stranger to the Royal Family, ( Princess Anne happens to be the Colonel of the Blues & Royals Household Cavalry in which Wally served for many years) introduced us. Princess Anne was very relaxed and chatted easily with several of the group for her allotted 10 minutes before moving on to meet the Green Team and then into Faith House before she was finally whisked off in a helicopter. I feel it was a very successful and fulfilling day.

Slow Start

We are all impatient to start exercising, horses and drivers, since the horses' shoes went on on the 8th.
We've now lost nearly 3 weeks in January this year due to the weather, so the season is getting off to a very slow start. Last week, after a short spell of dry weather, the ground was beginning to dry out quite nicely, and we managed to get in the first few gentle drives on the firmer tracks. It was quite a job keeping them to a walk - they were raring to go, but it is important to start gently and walking out is the best way to start.

However, these last few days have been a great disappointment, especially the deluge on Thursday. It's important to keep off the popular field tracks because the narrow rims of the wheels risk creating tramlines that remain for the whole year, so we plan to be using the metalled road down the driveway and along to the Holton Heath industrial estate which will be a change for the horses and drivers alike, but will no doubt take its toll on the shoes.