Sometimes it's best to question statements like "He's full of it"!

It's been a very productive weekend as far as the horses are concerned. After the major tidy up yesterday, today Calum has run an extension cable the full length of the stable block, so that the only reason for Grotty Groom ever to have to go to "the other side" of the stables (as it were), is to get water, as unfortunately the water trough is that end. Grotty wishes to stay out of the way, so this will help; radio, kettle etc is now in front of Joey's stable. Calum whipped out his new, bend-in-any-direction, step ladders and carried them in front of Wesley's stable, as Grotty had Baggy upside down, washing down Wesley's sweaty "bits" in between his legs. The steps were obviously going to eat Wesley alive, who instantly turned into a snorting dragon, grew by a hand and leapt backwards, virtually on top of Baggy's head. Baggy made Grotty retreat rapidly out of the way, at which point Wesley saw how terrified she was, and tried to join her. "I'm not scared of the ladder you numpty, I'm scared of you flattening me!" "Oh, sorry Mum, okay I'll eat my hay then". "Hmmmm!"

As Calum didn't need any help and they'd decided that it was too hot to ride, Grotty decided to take Wessles into the manege for a bit of liberty work. Last time she'd done this, a few months ago, Grotty had let Wesley loose, walked off, sat on a jump, and then waited for a small age, before Wesley decided she was worth joining. So Freda Fretter was not at all sure what would happen today, but as there was nobody about to witness her potential embarrassment, Clever Bird told Freda to "Shut up". Grotty took Wesley's bridle off and hung it on the gate, then walked off. Baggy could feel warm breath on her bare shoulder. Wesley was inches behind her. They spent a happy half-an-hour, virtually glued together.

As it was so hot, Baggy decided to sit on a jump for a while. Wessles decided that he'd better check it out.

This required checking what it tasted of, then dismissing it.

As Baggy's seat was no more, and the breeze was lovely, they continued to wander.

It wasn't very easy for Creative Clara to take photos, as Wesley was determined to stay with his Mum and as quickly as Baggy walked backwards to take photos, Wessles caught up! Bless him.

Back in his stable, Baggy needed tea. The groom asked if they were riding. Calum, said, "No, it's too hot". "Oh, but there's a lovely breeze in the back field, you ought to ride". Clever Bird suddenly remembered that they're away next weekend, so won't ride then either. They decided to ride. "Good", said the groom, "Joey was 'full of it', this morning". Now there are times when such statements should be a) questioned and b) taken note of!

It was not a relaxed ride! At one point, a "walk" along a hay field, turned a little exciting. The horse flies were out in force. Wesley was disguised as a zebra, with nose and face nets on and they were still attacking him. Joey was naked - and not happy with them. Wessles decided to out run the pesky blighters and went into a fast hunting trot. Grotty could not persuade him to walk. Joey decided to join in. It rapidly turned into a race. Hormonal Hannah started to panic when she realised that Calum could not slow Joey down. "Make Wesley walk". "Urrrm, what exactly does he think I'm trying to do?" thought Freda Fretter as Wesley went into a canter. "Oh ****", thought Grotty, if he canters round this next corner, we'll be in a flat-out gallop back towards the yard. "Right Wessles, you're better than this, let's walk shall we", thought Grotty as she remembered her Ashen Equestrian Centre training, and counter-intuitively, dropped her rein contact while tightening her legs. Wesley thought about it and came back to a walk; an "I might just take off at any second"-walk, but a walk nonetheless. Joey did likewise. "Right Wessles, stand - let's just chill for a bit shall we?" Everybody breathe.

They set off again, in a slightly more relaxed manner. Calum spotted the pair of roe deer in front of them before the horses saw them. They tried to shoot into the woods. Wesley thought about heading in the other direction. "They're fine", thought Grotty, more prey animals, "Yes, Mum quite, and they're running away". Grotty grabbed the neck strap (just in case). Another deer appeared. Wesley stopped dead. Joey wandered on. Grotty took control and encouraged Wesley forward, "Okay, if you're sure Mum". Clever Bird started to talk in a very loud voice, she figured it would be best if the rest of the herd weren't taken by surprise! Both horses, were once more prancing along through the cloud of thistle seeds, as Baggy used her peripheral vision to check whether more deer would leap out. Clever Bird double-checked that Baggy had remembered to attach Grotty's air-jacket.

Nearly back at the yard, Calum decided to head up another field. Baggy decided that Grotty needed to trust her horse, as he'd shown so much trust in her in the manege earlier, "Fancy trying another trot?" "Okay, go on then". Grotty put Wesley into a forward-going trot, but without racing, and kept him behind Joey. Joey strided out. Beautiful. Phew! Sponge baths all round,

before heading home via the supermarket.

Now chilling with the home furries....................