It has been 2 months since we lost Dan. I am really feeling his absence in the field.

The other day I stopped to pick up some things at the shop and without thinking picked up a packet of polos for him. Had a little weep in the car.

I have tried to force myself to crack on. I needed to get Blaze and Spot going better as I am hoping to find homes for them in the future and we can’t stay babies forever.

They are progressing well and have even started cantering and popping a couple of fences. They are still only ‘working’ two or three times a week…they are so keen that I don’t want to take advantage.

As the ground has been so hard and frozen it’s forced me to put some time in with Beauty. She’s now much happier getting tacked up and we just need to work on getting her to stand confidently at a mounting block.

Grings has actually felt the loss of Dan more than Beauty. Poor boy never seems to have any luck with friends. He jumped out of the field which I realised he only does when he thinks someone has left…like he goes looking for them…oh my heart.

I thought Beauty would have struggled more as her and Dan were so close but she seems to have made her peace. I am glad he got a last night in the field so they could all understand what had happened.