March has been a very busy month. The centre has had a lick of paint and wood preservative on the notice boards, also new signs for the coming season. Joy has been busy planting the garden, whilst I did justice to all the brambles clearing the area near to the adoption paddocks. There will be benches for you to rest on near to the paddocks this summer, when Andy T gets a minute to build them. Only kidding, nearly done.

George and Charlie - Well our boys are growing up. Considering the wet winter they've just been through, they look great. Charlie still looks bit of a scruff, but how he's grown - he's so big and strong, we all have a soft spot for him. Charlie can't help but stick his nose into everything that's going on, he has become our shadow. Andy T was kneeling down recently, fixing a sign to the paddock fence, closely supervised by Charlie who had just had a good drink of water. He bent down looking over Andy's shoulder to give me a bit of encouragement and filled his ear with stone cold water which then ran down his back and inside his shirt. I’m sure Charlie was grinning! George is looking realy well, his mane is now dark black, long and flowing. What a cracker he's turning into. Both boys have been used on a number of events, George has excelled himself, being very sensible around visitors and with our special need students. Charlie has started testing us all by nipping, George went through this phase for a couple of months, but now seems to have outgrown it. Firm reprimands do the trick. They will be two in July, so it's only natural that they chew and nibble just as long as it's not us!

Rolo is developing along the lines of Charlie, very gentle and trustworthy. He is doing well on his special diet and his condition has improved no end. He is having very gentle schooling, as we feel that this will benefit both him and us later. He knows his way to the stable from the adoption paddocks. In the evening we open the gate and off he trots to get his food. Nothing distracts him, he is on a mission; where’s my bucket? When he is in his stable overnight and we arrive in the morning you can hear him calling when the car stops in the yard. His little nose poking through the bars of his stable door, anxious to be in the fields, terrorising the others.

Starlight well it's not good news, after Starlight's operation on her back left leg she recovered well and had a total change of character. Unfortunately, she has now slipped back and adopted a nervous attitude to everyone but Sarah. Her other leg is appearing to have the same condition as the other one. We are waiting to see if she will need to have a similar operation this side. We will keep you updated on the situation.

Golden Flame is just super, she is such a bright clever pony, she learns very quickly. She still goes through the same old game of running away in the field, but we all know how to play it, we just ignore her - she then decides - ok time to work. She has been used on all our events, she is gentle around children as you will see from the number of photos on the website. She's lost a few pounds and is in tip top condition. Flame is now in training for this years Ten Tors event and touch wood everything is on track for the 12th May.

Bye for now Officer Dru