Cold or what? After all that rain the ground is now frozen solid and so we are keeping the ponies off the worst of the rutted ground.

We arrived at the centre a few days ago and the ponies were at least two hundred yards away ( I haven’t gone decimal yet, let alone metric), across the other side of the first field facing away from us; with bottoms into the wind. There was a group of people in the yard talking and preparing to go for a walk. The ponies took no notice and although we were in line of sight they were not reacting to us. We struck up a conversation with the people and immediately they came trotting into the paddocks and put their heads over the fence. Voice recognition? Never noticed it before. This sort of thing brightens up your day and makes standing in -12 worthwhile; not to mention their amazing hearing.

Today when we were feeding them it was snowing and they didn’t seem to mind the weather a bit; they just kept eating. They are all in good condition considering the temperatures they are having to put up with. Looking how the snow lies on their backs shows us how good their insulation is, it only falls off when they shake themselves. Golden Flame and Boss have lost their extra condition but are both fine. The other three, Charlie, George and Rolo are holding their own. They have lost some weight but are still well covered. Each time we see them they must wonder what we are doing feeling and prodding them all over.

Charlie has taught himself a new trick to annoy me. The paddock fences are post and rail with the gap to the floor covered with sheep netting. Should I be feeding them and I am not working fast enough for Master Charles; he will climb up the netting with his front feet. The netting will not carry his weight and you can hear the wire stretching, roll on schooling!!

A few days ago Rolo, who is by virtue of his age and size at the bottom of the pecking order, was feeding peacefully and minding his own business. Charlie barged him out of the way and pushed him off the hay. Rolo must have had the red mist descend because he turned round and gave Charlie both hind feet in the ribs. An astonished look from Charlie but he moved out of the way and Rolo went back to eating. The worm has turned.

George has developed a habit of wanting to eat away from the others, he is more sensitive than them and enjoys time on his own where he is not cornered. His attitude to us has not changed and he loves a bit of personal time.

Flame is having a few days of “ look, but don’t touch”. she will come round in a few days and then she will be as soft as butter. She stands by the huntsman’s gate snickering for me to feed her even though she pretends to be offhand.