Jerry, Potential New Member of EHDC

On a Sunday afternoon, under leaden skies filled with showery rain, Jane, husband Steve and myself went to collect "Jerry", a handsome Marmite look-alike from his home in Winterbourne Zelston.

Emma Proudley and husband Andy have very generously offered Jerry on trial with a view to loaning him to the East Holton Driving Centre to work with our adults with varying disabilities.

This is a real blessing for us in that he comes complete with harness and a 4-wheel carriage that we can purchase if he fits in with us (there's really not much doubt in our minds already, even though we've not even seen him driven!!). The beauty of this arrangement is that we can have confidence in the arrangement because Emma and Andy live so close and their over-riding concern is that Jerry gets a suitable home and will be well cared for.

He will have a period of settling in and getting to know us in a paddock on his own before we let him join Marmite, Maggie and the mischievous Elfin. We can't wait to cement a close bond and friendship with Jerry.

 Loading under the watchful eyes of Jane and husband Steve

 Boxed up and ready to leave his home

 Jerry taking in his new surroundings at the Ash Tree Stables

Andy saying a sad au revoir

Next morning in the riding school paddock

Difficult as it is to lose a good friend, being so local does mean that Emma and Andy can visit, and even take Jerry out for a drive, which we hope they will do once he has settled in.

We Visit Kennet Valley Driving Group

On Thursday 16th Jan John Neweell, myself and Jane accepted an invitation to visit the Kennet Valley Driving Group near Marlborough. The weather forecast was awful but we made our way up there and were just in time to join the group morning drive out. The drive out with three horses was on the roads due to the wet winter making the fields out of the question.
It turned out to be a lovely sunny day, if a bit cold in the wind at a much higher altitude than we are used to!

The Kennet Valley Driving Group drive two days a week all year round in some wonderful rolling countryside favoured by a number of racing stables with gallops on the drier tops of the Downs.

Two of their three horses are French Comtois draft horses, a breed that we have been considering as a third horse to join Maggie and Marmite ever since we saw one when we went to the SW Carriage Driving Conference last year.
These horses live out, but are clipped and rugged because they can get so hot and sweaty in their thick winter coats.

The Comtois is a heavy, strong breed with a lovely temperament which is ideal for RDA groups working with disabled people.

It was a most interesting and enjoyable visit and we were made so welcome by a marvellous group of volunteers. We drove back into the rain clouds in Dorset well pleased with our day out in Wiltshire.

Fund Raising

This year we are going to have to put a lot more effort into fundraising as we have a shopping list for some rather expensive items. Anyone who feels they can spare £5 to £10 a month click on the link "MAKE A DONATION NOW"  or on the one on the right of this page.

The first being a field shelter for the horses at around £1,500. The horses aren't getting any younger and they live out all year. Cold wet winds and hot weather with irritating flies are the two main enemies for horses outdoors (shade is a must) and shelter from the wind and driving rain.

The second is a third horse plus harness for something in the region of £4,000 to £5,000. We have started looking.

Then there are the bikes which are losing their shine! Some definitely need replacing so, if anyone has a bike in reasonable condition that is not used, and is taking up valuable space in their garage, we can promise to give it a good useful home where it will be appreciated!

Overhaul of the hydraulic ram for raising and lowering the body of the 4-wheeler for loading wheelchair users is costing £300.

However, applications have been made to a number of organisations for grants.
ASDA in Canford Heath have us as one of three chosen charities for January and February whereby they will donate an amount according to the tokens collected in their store. So I appeal to anyone shopping in that store to be sure to ask for tokens if not offered, and fill up our slot!!

Next week the horses will have a veterinary check for general health, vaccine booster where required, and their teeth attended to if necessary. They will also receive de-worming dose of Equimax to clear out any worm burden that they might be carrying.

On 12th February they will have their shoes put on and, as soon as weather permits, we shall begin gentle exercise with a view to starting the new season at the beginning of March.

Happy New Year 2014!!

Our New Year tradition of rewarding the horses with a can of Guiness in their morning feed is kept alive by our team of volunteer helpers.

What! The whole can??

 John administers their treat.

Five of us turned out in the wet and windy weather to see the horses get their tasty feed.

They were a delightful picture as they cantered, three abreast, towards us in the half light from the far side of the field where they were sheltering from the strong south wind and rain with their backs to the trees.

It is to be hoped that today's weather is not going to set the pattern for the rest of the year!

 Best Wishes To One and All for 2014