Susan Corbett's Newsletter

The weather held long enough not only to get the haylage made, but to also get some hay harvested. We have 4 allocated hay fields which were very late in growing grass due to the dry spell. So last week our relation, Ross, came and cut all four fields - left a tractor for Jamie to spread the grass to dry and then another neighbour came and 'rowed it up' as it suggests put the grass into rows ready to bale when it was almost dry. We make mainly Haylage which is baled with a little moisture left in the grass and it is then wrapped in plastic ( like cling film ) to ferment - we do not add any additives. It takes about 6- 8 weeks to 'cook'. As we bring the horses in this week, we also made some good old fashioned hay to fill the gap. The advantage of haylage is that it is completely dust free.

Jamie and Josh led the bales and wrapped them, as Frank is still out of commission with his knee op. They have done some amount of work this summer - as have the girls getting everything cleaned and painted for the coming season. When the haylage is ready we will have it tested by Saracen to gauge the amount of protein, moisture etc - we get a full analysis which helps us to create the whole feeding plan. New horses have arrived which means some of the retired horses needed to find new homes - this is one of the hardest parts of the job - finding the right homes from a lot of people who either want the horses for nothing or to make a quick buck or have no idea how to deal with horses of any kind! Yes I get very grumpy and have less and less patience! I also hate parting with them.

However Jimmybegood at the 3rd time of asking - goes to a farm home near Rothbury and Velasco heads of to a farm home in Cumbria. Fingers crossed they live the rest of their lives being well cared for.

Some of our Owners have been visiting the yard to meet their new horses and we had a good lunch this week courtesy of Steve Bromley - he brought lots of Kebabs for the team with full instruction on how to put them together! Steve has many catering vans and will be doing both our Open Days - if you need any catering for any event - Steve is your man!

David Thompson brought two amazing auction items - a unique miniature Bronze and a limited edition framed print from Jacqueline Stanhope - both to be auctioned on the 6th September at our Owners open day - they join the stash of booze donated by Sid and a signed boxing glove by Ricky Hatton!

This week various projects are being finished off with only the roof ( Only! ) left to put on the cream barn. The farrier, David, was in three days rather than the normal 2 as he put front shoes on all the horses coming into work. Now that the hay fields are cleared, the better grass comes through and the horses are divided into smaller groups, wormed and turned out into the hay fields.

Fresh grass and then into work, fed every day and out at nights for as long as possible.... They should all be ready - give or take - in 9 weeks time - so October.

Meanwhile the summer five build up to their next races:-

Dates

6th Hexham - Team Rounders competition for Racing Welfare at Hexham Racecourse 6.30 pm- all welcome to support! Your team is Jamie, Bekah, Abi. Holly and Faith ( Weekend girls ) and yours truly - I could not play rounders at school so improvement is doubtful!

15th Thirsk - Clear Angel

16th Perth or Market Rasen O Faolains Glory and a new career ( we hope ) for Crimson Road.

23rd Girsonfield - National Racehorse Week - you do not need to sign up - it starts at 10.30 - 3.00pm any help appreciated.

27th August Late Night Drama and Dotties Promise at Hexham

6th September - OWNERS OPEN DAY 2.00pm. and now let the new season commence.....

Susan: email:girsonfield@outlook.com Tel: 7713651215

Photo: A gallop through the grasses

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Enjoy, Chris