Day 1 Monday 6 August 2007

I arrived at the yard good and early for my first day, so early that I was the first there. Soon the yard was a hive of activity and, after a while, Tom realised I was there. (I don’t think he thought I’d be there before 6.00 a.m.)

He started me off gently taking temperatures, so I’m not just learning the horse’s heads. Then up to the gallops, each jockey and horse with its instructions. Back to the yard to put horses on the walker or turned out, then second lot.

Just after 10.00 we took Etoile Argentee for her first swim. She obviously had strong reservations about the pool, but after some ‘gentle’ persuasion from Tom she puffed and snorted her way round a couple of times, came out, turned around and went straight back in.

We then cleaned head collars and chifneys before watering the horses and sweeping the yard and it was noon and time for lunch.

I walked back to my lodgings with Steve Pilling, who has been absolutely great, and caught up with the two girls I am sharing with.

In the afternoon we skipped out and dug out banks putting in fresh shavings, brought horses in, turned others out and put some on the walker, cleaned buckets and mangers. The horses get five feeds a day, but the surprise to me was no hay.

Michaela went through the yard tending to the injured and answering my many questions as she went.