Strong personalities

When I was growing up the aim was always to be good enough as a rider to be able to get the best out of any horse. Nothing was too much of a challenge and if at first you didn't succeed you just had more lessons and kept trying. And if you fell off you were embarrassed at your incompetence and you just got back on.

Now it seems to be that horses are expected to be automatons. Quiet at all times no matter what the duress and if anything doesn't run to plan it must be their fault and they either get sent to a 'trainer' or the sale yard. Wny is this? And where is the fun? Why not just get a motorbike or a mobility scooter!

I like horses with personality and preferably a bit of 'sass'. Madam is perfect in this respect. She is a kind, sweet and very genuine horse, but she is nobodys fool and she takes a keen interest in everything. This picture is her supervising me making the feeds last night. You will see she is already in her fly rug.