Home Sarah-Jane Horses Blogs / Calendar Sponsorship Course Pictures For Sale Links Contact

Pippa 11th February

Seems I have been allowed a chance to blog again, SS (Super Sarnie) has been having all the limelight! The fuss she is making over a sore foot is totally excessive and the number of people she has running around after has to be seen to be believed.

I meanwhile have had the very important role of looking after mum following her hopping around on crutches for a while. She has gone from being a semi competent jockey to a bit of an unbalanced crock. Anyway I have been angelic,  I have stood still as she has clambered on pulling my mane and yanking my saddle, I have not complained as she has lopsidedly ridden me up the road or on our return to the yard as she has slithered off kicking me in the side and usually collapsing in a heap as she lands letting go my reins at which point I stand and wait patiently, oh the things I put up with! I am pleased to say under my constant guidance she is improving. I even tested the balance yesterday throwing some decent sideways spooks and I can report the reactions were good.  A few more weeks and I think I can get back to normal.

Have quite enjoyed a holiday, kept myself fit with some racing and jumping in the field, think mum was quite impressed with the hedge I jumped. Soon show SS that I am no pipsqueak!

Sarnie 25th January

Wondering if I have overdone things in the dressage avoidance stakes, was trying to find something that would allow me to do fun activities like jumping etc but not the boring stuff. However since this back foot of mine has got so sore I have been confined to barracks and not even allowed out the door.  There is a nasty rumour that this state of affairs may last a while. At least I have everyone running around after me. I find it frustrating that as a talented and beautiful individual I have become a celebrity for something that is growing in my back foot! I have had bone pictures taken, camera pictures taken and now they are going to operate on it. I am bit scared about that, they are doing at home so at least mum can look after me.

There has been some good news, I was shotlisted in the best talking animal award in Equestrian Social Media Awards (see top for voting details), please do vote for me (you can vote for mum too) I  have to say my Twitter following has increased hugely since I started doing regular tips on training humans. Follow me here

I was also asked to come to selection trials for the British CIC** Team (they didn’t think Pip was good enough which I keep rubbing in!)

The worst thing about the funny thing growing in my foot is that at a time I should be having copious amounts of sympathy and more importantly get well carrots, they are banned! Too much sugar or something, never done me any harm before! If anyone can sneak any in would be very grateful.

What I am looking forward to is a friends is sending me a stable mirror so I will at least have something beautiful to look at! Will let you know how I am after my operation!

Sarnie 27th December

Just can’t get the staff, I wrote a blog yesterday and then somehow boss lost it, she blames the computer I blame the operator! So luckily with some spare time on my hands I can again give you my thoughts.

Starting with Christmas, it was a bit of a non event for me this year with  nothing from my Christmas list below forthcoming. There were at least some carrots although not the M&S ones! Pip was given a Kate Negus breastplate which I was a bit miffed about as I think it would look better on me! One nice little present I did get was a book from Auntie Jane entitled ‘One hundred Ways For A Horse To Train Its Human’ by Tina Bettison. Reading through it anyone would think I co wrote it as I am expert at many of the things suggested!

I like the bit at the beginning suggesting we allowed the humans to think they are boss whilst watching them muck out our stables, carry food and water, poo pick the fields whilst juggling time and money to keep us in the style to which we have become accustomed!

The bits on flatwork / dressage training were also interesting and in the main practiced by me. It explains that balance and submission are key and until the humans have perfected this then us horses will be unable to follow suite! With regard to aids in order to train the humans it is best only to respond to the perfectly executed aid, ignore anything else. From time to time even when the correct aid is given it is permissible to forget its meaning and feign confusion.

Poor boss is hoping that over the holidays I have been shining my halo, unfortunately for her I have been developing my dressage avoidance strategy!

Sarnie 15 November

Well with boss out of action (how many times have I told her not to bother with pipsqueaks?) I have been bored. I have done the galloping round the field looking distressed, I have played take a shoe off and hide it in the mud and I have feigned terror at pigs when being led in and out. Splashing the appropriate human with mud and squealing like I am really going to be naughty is fun too!

So I have started my Xmas list, I will publish it here (may add to it later) and then if boss doesn't come up with the goods perhaps someone else can?

Carrots - M&S organic if possible. Carrots must be no more than 3 days old and there must be a minimum of a bag a day available 365 days a year. When I have been particularly good a sack may be more appropriate for that day.

Solarium - If warm after work or had a bath (forgot we also need warm running water) then a solarium to dry off under would be appreciated.

Retractable roof over field - I hate getting rained on but do need to stretch my legs so a roof over one of the paddocks should solve that problem (like that tennis place)

Oakley Lorry - It is no good a superstar getting out of an inferior lorry, Oakley's were made for horses like me. Model must be new and have the horse windows that open out and down so I can put my head out. Also must not be shared with pipsqueaks.

New Wardrobe - I need top of the range rugs and they should be washed / changed for clean at least once a week. All rugs must be Mark Todd, Fal or anything more expensive than the previous two. Travel rugs must have my name embroidered on them.

New Bridle - Pipsqueak Rosie borrowed mine and damaged noseband and then I ran off with it on and trailed it in the mud  and scratched it so I need a new one.

A weekly massage - As I am getting older I get stiffer so a weekly massage would be nice

Facebook - I have a twitter account see (link) but not a Facebook account, boss won't let me, be nice if someone could set me up.

I don't think the above is too much to ask? I am sure I will think of more in fact will probably Tweet my mates on Twitter for anything I have forgotten. Will write again soon as got nothing else to do with my time at the moment!

Pip 22 October

As Super Sarnie (aka SS) (aka 2 'she who is above anyone else') has not bothered to do a blog (too busy twittering or something) I have been allowed to do my first blog! My first year in Cornwall was pretty easy with plenty of socialising and grass eating and not a huge amount of work, suddenly this changed and I was thrust into a rollercoaster of trips out, schooling, competitions and travelling. When I first arrived I though SS would be a good friend as we are both Dutch girls but her attitude to me has gone from one of friendly tolerance to disdain and irritation. I am pretty sure she originally saw me as a useless horse and has come to realise that I am actually talented and could one day be as good as (maybe better) than SS. I think another problem is I have been eating some of her carrots and she is very possessive of her favourite treats but while she is not pulling her weight then I get some of the rewards of work.

I have finished the season and the humans seem to be been particularly pleased with the bits of coloured ribbon they got after 2 of my events and even more so with the rectangular paper with some numbers on it - SS say the numbers relates to buying carrots or something like that! I have been promised a short holiday before Mum was going to make me practice circles and coloured poles in the winter but think this may have changed now after the new inhabitant Mary caused Mum to fall off. Mary didn't even wait and came back to the stable I told her to go and help her but she was more interested in the haylage bale! Mum eventually sort of hobbled back in with lots of help and a broom before being taken off in a brightly coloured van. Sadly I have heard she can't ride us for a bit and she seems to be walking with funny stick things (she needs to get rid of these before she hops on as I am a sensitive girl). There had been a very nasty rumour that I may have to go and live somewhere else but that seems to have gone quite. I am being very good for Auntie Ruth and Grand Mum as I actually wouldn't mind staying.

Sarnie 26th June

Well it is nearly a month since I landed head first at Houghton. Not sure what went wrong, was jumping as high as I could but the jump was very long too and attacked my back legs causing me to nose dive. Wasn't quite sure what happened or where I was, next minute I was being kidnapped in a contraption pulled by a car like you see some lesser equines being pulled around in. Didn't want to go but felt too disorientated to resist for long.

The next few days were a nightmare my head hurt and the vet man (who I used to like) put lots of needles in me. Awful journey home so uncomfy to be met by different man and many needles, he kept pinching my blood too. Couldn't face food despite bosses best efforts and she didn't look in great shape herself, think she appreciated the fact I tried not to roll on her anyway. The good thing was the nice get well cards I had from my fans, boss stuck them on the door and I drooled on them.

Anyway feeling better now and a bit bored. Moved to a new home, not sure why boss has moved us just hope more pipsqueaks aren't arriving as the two that are here are bad enough! They have been bringing back some ribbon things that boss sets so much importance on but when I ask what for it is piddly things yet will they shut up - they won't. I keep telling them I am the only one that is staying for good I have seen many pipsqueaks off and I will see them off too!

Hoping to be allowed back to work soon as most of my hurts are feeling better then I will show them who is the best equine!!!

Sarnie 16th May

No soon as one pipsqueak is gone than another arrives, well at least this one hasn't moved in yet (long may it continue!)  One good thing is that being a lot bigger than me she won't be nicking my tack or rugs because they won't fit - what a shame! She also talks Dutch so we can converse without the common grey Irish thing understanding.

I am currently being prepared for a big event over the other side of the country, Houghton it is called, boss likes it because there is a big stately home, me I like the sound of it because there will be loads of people to watch me. Nothing worse than performing and there being very few fans to watch. I could still do with more fan mail mind you (make sure you either enclose carrots or polo's!) It is nice when Auntie Jane comes to support (pictured right) as she always brings carrots with her. I like the organic variety best!

Just had my back done this morning, it does make me feel better and looser but I hate it when she knocks and crunches things back into place. Mind you the best thing is she says I have to keep up the carrot stretches shame they only need doing once a day.

I still Twitter regularly if you are not following me please do as boss has more followers than me. http://twitter.com/#!/SarnitaB I can assure you I am the most interesting and intelligent horse on there. Will blog again soon and let you know how I managed coping with the boss at Houghton. If anyone is going please bring me some carrots.

Rosie 5th April

Hello again! Been busy learning to be a superstar although Sarnie (I am not allowed to call her Diva Equine anymore even though she is) says I will never be as good as her. Think she may be worried about the competition though as she keeps trying to eat me and put me out of action. Also been going to more parties than her as Mum wants to get me out and about more.  I must be quite good as getting to use all the best tack (don't mention it to Sarnie), although Mum has muttered something about being easier to stay on - don't know what she means!

Like the jumping parties best, don't see the point in the ones that just involve trotting round in circles. Went to one this weekend where there were jumps all over the land, this is called cross country evidently and shows how capable I am at crossing over natural obstacles. I jumped what I was told but it was surely quicker if we had gone by them? Mum also caught me a bit unawares as there were a few holes in the ground which I sort of saw at the last minute and had to get legs very high so the underground monsters (Sarnie has explained all about these) didn't eat me. This cross country lark is quite tiring and made me puff. There was also a man that kept pointing this black thing at me and clicking at me, something to with pictures I think, perhaps this is the first stage to being famous?

What I do feel is a bit unfair is being treated like a second class citizen. One minute I am being boxed up and taken places and then just because Sarnie has an important competition coming up shoved out in the field and abandoned! Never know where I stand or lie! We should be treated as equals as one day I may be better than her.

Sarnie 17th February

Well that is another Pipsqueak seen off the premises. Understand he (Ash) has been taken away to a small Island, so looks like I won't be seeing him again! You know what it is like some horses ( same with people I guess) you instantly don't like, well that was the case with Ash. Managed to cut above his eye with my teeth (not quite sure how it happened must have attacked me first!) the first time we met and things just never improved. I guess I really don't like horses that spend there whole day sucking up to humans and halo shining! Rosie on the other hand certainly hasn't got a halo to shine and I don't mind her quite as much. Saying that she is developing a nasty habit of borrowing my gear without asking, she took my best Kate Negus bridle hunting the other day and brought it back in a right state! Anyway she took it again today so when no one was looking I nipped her bum over the wall as a reminder of who is boss. Unfortunately I got into trouble as I managed to tear the Newmarket cooler she had on, worse thing was it is mine really, she was borrowing it! Then again I had better have a new one as I don't want to wear anything tainted with grey hairs.

Had sore heels at the weekend, the nasty boots that wrap around and over my heel rubbed them and made them sore. Now can you tell me why when there is something sore humans have to poke and prod the area and make it worse? Boss really did hurt and despite trying to be brave I really think it was a bit much all I needed was a week with my feet up to recover. I only had a days rest and yesterday I was taken for a dressage lesson I almost think that constitutes cruelty, it could have made them far worse!

As well as physical cruelty they are being rude to me as well. References to being round, looking well and having wintered well is their way of saying I am fat. Well I am not and I certainly don't appreciate the present rationing of haylage particularly when the grey pipsqueak gets mounds of the stuff! There is also talk of working harder - what do they think I am doing? It is a tough life being an equine humans just don't appreciate that fact!

Sarnie 21st January

I am now on Twitter, it is great fun even met a stable mate of Poppy's though Twitter (we can compare horror stories). If you want to follow me on Twitter just click on the image (left) and you can follow the most interesting horse on Twitter. Boss says I am a big head, I am not I have a fine and beautiful head!

Boss has been trying to focus on the boring stressage stuff, she keeps telling me it will help with everything including my jumping, I don't see how I can manage fine without doing it. I don't think humans realise how boring it is to go round in circles, sideways etc etc over the same patch of ground, I am not even allowed to look at what is going on outside the arena. I try and liven the sessions up a bit by adding in a few extra movements but that doesn't seem to go down well either. You just can't win. I was dragged out at teatime on Wednesday in the cold and taken for a lesson with the Alison Trainer (not my favourite trainer she doesn't have polos!). She actually got on and rode me and boss let her, by the time I had tired her out a fresh boss got on and carried on which I feel was cheating. Boss only bought two carrots for when I finished, that didn't justify tea 4 hours late.

There are disadvantages to being a superstar. I know I am precious but it does mean I sometimes miss out on the fun things in life. They had a hunting party meeting in the field behind mine but boss took the grey pipsqueak and left me in the stable. The grey one came back full of her own importance, I soon put her in her place but it did sound fun. I was allowed to one hunting party and really enjoyed it (maybe a bit too much as boss kept nearly falling off when I was doing my fly leaps).

Rosie 4th January

At last I have a chance say hello - Hello (waving hoof madly!) I'm Rosie, well I think that is my name but I get called other things from time to time. I'm going to be a star (not one of them things in the sky) or at least that's what my mummy used to tell me. My new human mummy / boss seems less sure and constantly complains about my colour. I've always been told that grey horses are special and much admired. Some of the most famous horses like Desert Orchid, Milton and Murphy Himself have been grey, anyway I am not a boring bay like Sarnita (Diva equine)!

Since I have been clipped I have had this new Snuggy face thing on which really is no good for my skin. A regular mud pack really improves my complexion, it was bought to keep me clean would you believe? Anyway have found if I get in the mud pit Ash dug and really scrub face up and down I can get my ears and around my eyes pretty well covered and today even managed to get it under snuggy thing and in my mane! Would you believe I was then attacked with sponge and some funny smelling soapy stuff, anyway stuck my head up as high as I could, managed to keep a bit of mud pack on my ears, if I can just combine it with a bit of manure tonight...................

The humans seem quite nice, have a clean stable and plenty of hay to eat. The other horses are ok, Ash doesn't seem to like me much, something about me being his replacement and he has to be out at night because I have his stable? Not sure what he is on about but perhaps he is a bit of a whiner, he doesn't half suck up to the humans though. Diva equine is very self important and not sure whether to believe half her stories of greatness. Tried to tell her that I am KWPN and we might be related but she didn't speak to me for a week after that. Evidently she can't be related to someone with an Irish accent - I think she may be a bit of a snob? Jacko is friendly anyway and he has actually taught me a few things like how to climb hedges which may be useful as the humans are talking about a hunting party where we have to do some hedge climbing. Anyway bed for me and let me see what exposed grey bits I can cover tonight! Will come on again soon.

Equine Blog 2010 - Click Here

Equine Blog

Equine Blog