This morning as we got to the solihull field we discovered that the horses had broken the wooden gate and lifted it off its hinges. The  gate was lying flat on the floor so bertie, who couldn't get past it was left in the field calling. Apollo and mo had vanished. We rand 999 to notify the police as the field was very close to the centre of solihull and the M42 motorway and the loose horses could have caused an accident. The police rang back five minutes later to tell us the horses had been found at 5am and someone had but them in a field down the road. We went to collect the horses and they were glad to see us and pleased to get back in their own field. Tony kindly fixed the gate so they will be unable to break it again.

Today was quite a quiet Saturday but it was sunny so several of the horses had their tails and legs washed. After lunch we decided that there were so many gingers it would be a good idea to have a 'ginger photo' as its amazing to have so many gingers in one place with only two being related. The horses at the chase behaved well too although they were too hot in their rugs so have swapped now to a summer sheet. Mona had front shoes put on this week (the first time she has managed this since we have had her as she is nervous of men and hated having her hooves picked up).She was sedated but this was still a big success as before even with sedative it has been too dangerous to try but she was very well behaved (Paul the Farrier gave her a 9 1/2 out of 10). Unfortunately she has since managed to get an abscess in her heel but having been treated by the farrier and cleaned and dressed this is clearing up and it does not seem to need any more treatment.

The loans this week have gone very well. Buster particularly has settled down a lot and is feeling much happier in his new home. Today Apollo, Mo and Indy went up to Solihull club with George and Nina. They hired the indoor school and used it to practice jumping. The jumps were very small as Indy and Mo are just working on gaining confidence at jumping and Apollo is trying to learn to calm down over jumping as he gets very excited.  All in all it went very well and then Jemma left to hack into Alvechurch with Buster as he is practicing going out on his own. Well done to all who loaned this week!!

As it was still wet on the field all the horses had to be ridden out on Sunday. Nina and George rode out early from the Solihull field on Indy and Apollo. They rode up to the club but the grounds were closed and the members field was very wet and boggy so they went down Conker lane and into Knowle village. The horse were both very good but Mona was upset at being left behind and han managed to escape from her paddock and had been galloping round the whole field as she had left lots of hoof marks in the grass. She was settled and grazing when the other horses got back so they were left together in her paddock and after a quick canter round they settled to graze. At the home field Jemma, jade, Alice, Lauren, Kezzia and Jasmine rode out on Merlin, bess, Belle , Ted, Bobby and Maisey. They went on a long ride out and ended up at the back of Swanshurst Park. There they praciced jumping ditches. Some of the horses were quite confident at this but Maisey and Merlin were just led over as they seemed unsure. All went well and the horses enjoyed the work as the field has been very wet so they have not had much turnout.

Today was a hectic day. Those with horses on loan at the home field rode in the morning and schooled them for about an hour. At Rowney Green  Buster has become so attached to the other horses that he tried to jump out of his stable when  Molly went for her lesson. Apollo and Mo had a lesson at Solihull Riding Club with Gill Rose. She said they had much improved from last time, particularly Apollo was unrecognisable! Both Apollo and Mo worked a little on leg-yielding and later Mo started some canter work. Gill was very pleased with the horses, and with Sophie whom she had not seen ride before.