The weekend’s warmer weather put the thought of Spring into everyone’s step. Horses stood rugless in the sunshine and Ladies at the Yard emerged from their drab outer layers like butterflies from their cocoons.

Baby Horse has a particularly keen glint in his mad amber eyes as his go-faster regime really kicks in.

He and Jack had a titanic tussle on the lane when they encountered a large white builder’s sack by the gate to the cross-country field.

The ginger giant threw a massive hissy fit, spinning, planting and stamping at an object that had been there for months.

The day before, Baby alarmed Mrs Horse as they stood together outside her stable. He sent her purple wash bucket into the air and sent it crashing at her feet.

“Oops, not me,” said Baby, who has an uncanny knack of toppling buckets off ledges and landing them right side up, their contents still inside.

Jack, who was mucking out, heard the clatter of hooves galloping on the spot as Mrs Horse stressed in terror. She broke free and stood snorting indignantly.

Baby is now bucking when he lands over cross-country fences. He started it on the Christmas Trail Ride and both Jack and Steve report that he swishes his tail and bounces with excitement when he jumps The Loch Ness Monster.

This graduated row of half tyres, like the back of a serpentine dragon, is excellent training practice for all horses. Sited on the hill in the cross country field, it is quite a local landmark.

The fine, drier, weather has also seen Daniel and Mrs Horse leaping cross-country fences the winter weather has barred them from for months. We are all looking forward to the cross-country day at Coniston Hall next month when our three horses will be put through their paces.

We are very sorry to report that one of the area’s best loved horses, Minty, has passed away.

Minty, who was about 40, spent his last decade being cared for at our yard.

Once the mount of well-known local character Mr Fitton, Minty is believed to have come to North Yorkshire from Aberdeen as a four-year-old.

His noble white head, with its cascading mane, could often be seen over his stable door as he perhaps reflected on a long and distinguished life.

In his heyday, he was almost certain to win first prize for Horse With The Best Tail at local shows.

Famed for “teaching half of Yorkshire to ride”, Minty will be very sadly missed.

Sheila, who has loved and cared for Minty for many years, hopes Diary readers will share any fond memories of him.

Steve Wright & Jenny Loweth