Welcome to a little blog about our day to day goings on at Bonnie View. Winter is an incredibly busy time for us on the yard so I once again apologize for my delay in blogging. As I write this it feels like winter has really begun. Storm Ciara is blowing a gale against my windows and it is weather like this that makes you question your profession. We must be crazy but thankfully we’ve got a really good team that are committed to caring for the horses.

February 1st

Last night was our very late Christmas staff meal. We had a great night. Its very rare that we all see each other on the same day so to have a giggle and a few cocktails was lovely. Its me and Kerry on today but thankfully our heads aren’t too bad and the wind certainly blew away the cobwebs.

To those of you that read the summer blog you will remember we had a horse with a suspensory ligament tear starting on box rest. Well unfortunately he still isn’t better so after seeing our physio, Domonique from Yorkshire Animal Therapy last week we have devised a new plan. Instead of being kept in a large barn with straw in on the daytime we’ve set up a barn on hard standing as to not aggravate the tear. Hes also on 3 hand walks per day and at the moment 3 ultrasound sessions per week. Jo our yard manager is applying the ultrasound after Domonique very kindly let us hire the machine to keep the costs down for the owner. Fingers crossed we can get him back out in those paddocks for spring.

A few owners visited and all the horses came in a bit earlier so we can focus on grooming. We pick out feet every other day and rug change whenever necessary but we also regularly fully groom our horses. Today Kerry had the lovely job of cleaning a particularly dirty sheath . Our job is just so glamorous!

February 2nd

Everyday I give out breakfasts and medication between 6.30am-7.30am and then another member of staff arrives at 8am to help me turnout. On a Sunday however there is 3 of us on by 8am so its all hands to the deck. We also had an early owner visit as we started turning out. We welcome owners any day any time. Our cameras are also on every evening from 5pm to 8am. So for those owners that are far away or cant visit regularly I think they are a huge comfort.

I send emails regarding us sponsoring the ridden veteran championship at Hambleton District show in May which we are excited about.

I usually try to take a few hours off for family time on a Sunday but I start back on the yard at 3.30pm and join Jo for bring in.

February 3rd

I usually try to sneak out of the house on a morning before my little girls wake up. However this morning my daughter Molly was adamant she was coming with me at 6am. So we pull our over trousers on over our pyjamas , hats and boots on and were off into the darkness. She particularly enjoys feeding Pumpkin and Tommy the two shetlands and one of our gentle giants Bruno.

Jo started at 7.30am today as Guiness had an ultrasound session.

All was going well for a Monday morning until we went to turnout Josh. For those that follow my facebook page you will remember that Josh and Sam moved into our barn together last year after Sam had lost his long term partner Elle. Josh basically saved Sam and they had been inseparable best friends since.

He walked out very lame on his right hind and so we brought both him and Sam back in for the day, upped his anti inflammatory and contacted his owner.

I had a yard viewing today, my first of 3 booked in this week. A lovely lady that had come all the way from Milton Keynes. Shes on our waiting list but I always encourage those on the list to come and look around. Hopefully visitors can then see we are worth waiting for.

4th February

Jo has taken the morning off so im on by myself until Abi starts late morning. I leave Josh in as hes still not very good and his balance seems worse today. His owners come to see him.

Jo is in from lunchtime and after finishing her allocated mucking out shes weighing a few and trimming some legs.

One owner messages to say her horse seemed to be attempting to lay down a few times the night before but he seemed hesitant. Ive got a replay mode on all the cameras so I replay and analyze his behavior from the previous night. This horse is currently on a bute trial at the moment so we are regularly monitoring him.

The decking for the cabin is coming along nicely. Were hoping to have the cabin up and running by spring time although there still seems a lot of work to do. I’m going for a traditional rustic glamping style with a luxury twist (I hope)

5th February

My sneaking out of the house at 6am fails again and Ive got Molly joining me in the darkness giving out breakfasts.

Its been very dry lately and so we use a few of our summer fields today. Our farm is an upland farm and so it drains very well. Its lovely watching those using the summer fields getting excited about a little change.

We have also changed a few groups around. Its quite rare we do this but with changing grazing requirements looming as we head into spring and the arrival of a new horse next week. We are trialing a few alterations. So far so good.

The vet confirms that Josh is suffering from the late onset of wobblers syndrome which is devastating news. I call the owners which is never easy.

Whilst the vets here she takes a few blood samples from horses with cushings to check their ACTH levels.

6th February

After a frosty morning its a sunny mild day and so we are changing rugs.

Our farrier Ryan Batty is here and he shoes 9 horses. One or two are acting like spring is in the air and so I hold them for him.

Its me, Kerry and my Dad working today. My Dad lends a hand on a Thursday which is a big help.

7th February

Well here it is. The absolute worst part of my job. Today Josh was put to sleep. His owners, myself, Jo and Kerry were there. The day we don’t cry at this part is the day we close the yard. Josh was 28 and he had had an amazing final year but it was still very upsetting seeing him go.

To walk into the feed room and find flowers and vouchers from Ginsengs owner who we lost a few weeks ago was just absolute perfect timing.

We pull ourselves together and put all of our energy into the horses that are here in our care. As Sam lived in the barn with Josh we worry about him being alone. So Sam joins Oliver’s group in the field and all goes well. So well in fact I message Oliver’s owner for permission to try living Oliver and Sam together in the barn. I feel the space the barn offers will suit Oliver more as he is arthritic and the constant ability to move around should benefit him.

The air turns colder and so rugs are upped again.

8th February

Its a Saturday, always a busy day for us. Myself, Lucy and Kerry are working today.

Our extra jobs involve grooming and Kerry washes out all of the automatic drinkers and I wash all the feed bowls.

A few owners visit and we discuss a few concerns and the possibility of starting a horse onto a joint supplement. The sausage rolls are a welcome sight as we prepare for storm Ciara.

February 9th

What a flaming day! Storm Ciara is absolutely awful. We try and turn our horses out everyday during winter but this day is an exception. Everyone stays in and poor Abi and Jo fight the elements.

As they were mucked out and hayed in the morning me and Jo go round topping up hays and waters last job.

10th February

Jo starts early to Ultrasound Guiness. Dominque from Yorkshire Animal Therapy texts for an update on any progression.

Jo is painting the inside of the cabin today, so after we turnout and speak to a visiting owner shes off up to the cabin. Abi and Kerry arrive and its another windy shift.

All goes well with Sam and Oliver living together in the barn

February 11th

Its so cold today. The wind is still strong and we have nasty snow showers.

The vet visits for a few routine appointments.

I think the horses are pleased to be back in this afternoon and once in Abi gets 4 groomed.

12th February

Its a typical day with little to report, which is always good news. Abi continues grooming once the horses come in late afternoon.

Josh’s owner posts a lovely report onto the Bonnie View Facebook page.

13th February

Ryan our fabulous farrier is back today doing the trimming and a couple more with front shoes.

As its farrier day we keep the horses in and they certainly don’t complain as its rain and sleet showers for the majority of the day.

14th February

There’s me Jo and Kerry on today all day. So the extra staffing means me and Jo get time to tidy and sort some rugs. Guiness has his ultrasound and we order some gale breakers for the barn and Polo’s pen. Polo our gorgeous but quirky coloured cob is really not happy about being confined in a traditional stable. So he lives in a more open pen like space in a barn. It feels more open and is larger than a stable and so he doesn’t get claustrophobic. Its central to the others so he can still see everything going on. After the storms last week though we found the crew barn and Polos pen were quite drafty . So to offer protection from the elements we invest in 2 gale breakers. Only the best for these lot.

15th February

Today storm flaming Dennis hits. We had no choice but to leave the horses in. It gives me and Kerry the chance to get a lot of grooming done once we finished mucking out.

We prepare a stable for a new horses arrival tomorrow.

16th February

Myself and Jo have an early start as we are expecting our new arrival from 10am. The horses are keen to go out but Max and Speedy are put into the barn where they eagerly wait for their new friend to arrive.

Ronnie walks off the trailer like hes been here all his life. Hes put into a stable where he can spend the remainder of the day getting to know his new companions. Hes so gorgeous and we hope he will be happy here.

A few owners visit.

17th February

Guiness has another ultrasound session then we turn everybody out. Ronnie goes out for the first time with Max and Speedy and I think they are going to make a fabulous 3. All 3 are gentlemen that like to play, its lovely to see them getting on so well.

Josh’s owners visit and bring us some lovely cards and presents.

I dedicate this blog to those we’ve lost this winter that will forever live here. They just make a space for another to have the time of their life’s.