Lorna's start to the season

Jack Dawson moved from Equilibrium's yard to come and stay with me at the beginning of November. After a quiet few months through the winter we are now starting to pick up with his training and he is entered for the Science Supplements ride at Kings Forest, Thetford on 28 March. The fast, flat going in the forest should suit him and I have no doubt he will enjoy getting out and about again.

Jack is a sensitive boy so continues to wear the Magnetic Therapy Pad at night and is warmed up with the Massage Pad before he is worked - he certainly lets you know if you haven't done it or have cut his relaxation session short!''

'Our endurance season got underway on 14th February with a 32km ride around Grafham Water reservoir in Cambridgeshire. Despite a chilly and overcast start to the day, Ruby passed the initial vetting and we set off. We quickly caught another rider and as the two horses were well matched on pace they completed the rest of the ride together finishing on 12.4kph. Our only hiccup came at the end of the day when on returning to the venue (which was at the side of the reservoir) we discovered that there was a sailing boat race on and it was quite apparent from her reaction that Ruby has not seen boats moving at high speed before! The excitement caused her to finish on a higher than normal heart rate but she still passed and will now step up in distance to 64km which we are due to do in the New Forest on 21 March.

Ruby completed the ride wearing Stretch and Flex Flatwork wraps which stood up very well to the muddy conditions and didn't slip despite finishing in a pretty muddy and wet state (they are now good as new after a spin through the washing machine)! I am looking to compete in the flatwork wraps from now on as she is now more aware of where she is putting her legs there is less need for the extra protection afforded by the Training Wraps.