Horse_amp_amp_Hound__06_February_2018

LETTERS
Email to hhletters@timeinc.com
Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited.
A baler twine wisp
is washable, cheap
and easy to replace
A WISP WORKS A TREAT
Sir — I really enjoyed your
turnout feature (18 January) and
was particularly interested in Kate
Johnson’s homemade wisps made
from hessian rope or baler twine.
I like making mine out of baler
twine (pictured, above). They
cost nothing to make, work a
treat, are washable and once
SOCIAL media informs me a lot of people
got terribly excited about a supermoon last
week — one that, to the untrained eye (mine),
looked rather like the moon on any other day. In
a slightly unconnected point, there will no doubt
be tears of joy on the pavements around Windsor
on the day of the royal wedding this year. It does
appear that in an era of economic uncertainty,
many in this country are simply looking for
something far less practical and depressing,
something entirely joyous, at which to marvel.
Riding out last Tuesday morning as the
fog lifted over the weald, I was reminded once
again that this is where, as riders and equestrian
enthusiasts, we are so very lucky. Whether
amateur (see feature, p32) or professional, if
we want to enjoy our sport there will be early
mornings in every season. And the payoff for
that — peace, crunching frost, pink sky, warmth
they’re worn out, you can simply
make another one.
Susan Pearson
Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham
THEY’RE NOT MACHINES
Sir — I so endorse the views of
Sarah Laye with regard to riders
wanting the quick fix (letters, 25
January). It appears parents are
becoming ever more competitive
for their children to achieve
good results, all at the expense of
forming a bond with their pony.
I come from a non-horsey
background, but was given a
course of lessons for my ninth
birthday. I not only learnt to ride,
but was also shown how to muck
out, groom and clean tack. But the
most important lesson learnt was
to always put my pony first.
I desperately wanted a pony of
my own so to prove to my parents
how committed I was, I went
without Christmas and birthday
presents for three years and had
money instead. I eventually saved
£50. Then on 28 August 1964,
Misty came into my life. I am 66
years old, have owned three horses
since then and now in my life is
Raymond, with whom another
close bond has formed. We
compete at novice level affiliated
dressage, when the enjoyment is
in sharing the experience with my
Nothing beats riding as
a means of escape
In these times of economic uncertainty, is it any wonder
we’re relying on the simplest pleasures to lift our spirits?
H&H Content Director SARAH JENKINS
from his withers and a horse’s cloud breath — is a
fine antidote to the loomin rise in interest rates,
the uncertainty that
follows Brexit and
the highest rate
of inflation for six
years. Skippy doesn’t
know her feed just
went up 50p per bag.
And those carrots
just keep coming
if she nuzzles my
pocket. I like her
optimism. And I
love the escape she
brings. H&H
LETTER OF THE WEEK
Sir — While reading
“Be more honest”
(letters, 18 January),
a weary feeling came
over me.
In my younger
years, I spent many
long days driving to
view horses and ponies with
clients who requested support
and advice. In those days,
we did not have the luxury of
viewing videos and were lucky
to be able to see more than one
photograph — usually the only
one was the photograph in the
advertisement in H&H.
Like Mrs Green, I was
astounded at the sad
misrepresentation of many
sellers of their horses. One
had to laugh that some had
put in their advert “no time
wasters please”.
After one too many
wasted journeys, I adopted
a new approach and while
speaking to vendors, I’d ask
the following: “If this horse
is misdescribed in any way
regarding temperament,
rideability or conformation, are
you happy to pay my fuel bill
before I leave your premises?”
If the answer was no, then I
simply stayed at home! Worth
a try Mrs Green and good luck
in your search.
Ginny Oakley Pope
Potterspury, Northants
The writer of letter of
the week wins a bottle of
Champagne Taittinger
lovely horse, and bringing home a
rosette is the icing on the cake.
Children and parents should
realise that ponies and horses
are not machines to win on, but
flesh and blood to be loved and
respected — learning this will
stand them in good stead for life.
Elizabeth Gabriel
Avonwick, Devon