J P Daker

Bow House spring update

January was a major struggle with snow, ice, frozen pipes and 39 horses in to look after, this came as quite a shock to the system with the yard normally ticking over comfortably with just 23 horses. Luckily a new surface arrived between the snowy spells which thankfully didn’t freeze and allowed many of the horses to continue some ridden work, although some days it seemed too cold to take the rugs off. One day the horse walker was filling with snow faster than it could be cleared!!

Since being able to get the lorry out the horses have had the following outings:
• We traveled to Southview for the PCA which was cancelled
• Rosie has jumped her first 1.30m course and had a double clear at Solihull
• Arena UK premier was a good show with all the horses being in the rosettes
• Jump to Yorkshire Grade A and B class, Bowhouse Rubis was placed 15th against British Team horses and was the second fastest
  with 4 faults, however the stables were waterlogged so that put a dampener on the trip!

The competition horses are all thriving on Dengie Fibremix Complement and we have even put some of the visiting horses on the product, with one horse in particular we have seen a marked improvement in energy levels, muscle and coat condition and attitude within a week!
Rupert the ancient little pony must be fast approaching his 40th and is still going strong on Dengie Alfa-Beet, Rupert would be the ideal candidate for equine dentures if there was such a thing! He is prone to choke, colic and laminitis but he does just fine on his Alfa-Beet. He has also recently been diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome but has a new lease of life now he is on the medication.

We are planning a trip to Addington for the PCA final with Rubis but will also take Alice and Secret along for some classes.
With more stay away trips planned for this year Bow House has a new member of staff in Emily Brown who studied at Hartpury before joining the Bow House team full time with her own horse Maggie who she also hopes to get out competing with.

J P Daker