Hi

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Bad news - my back has gone! I was just walking along on Tippy the other day and it went. She didn't do anything wrong at all. I just felt a nasty pain in my lower bad and decided I ought to get off quick. Good old Tippy was very well behaved as I struggled to dismount and led her back to the yard.

So Stella, Natalie and Linda are taking it in turns to look after Tippy while my back gets fixed. I've still been going to see her and she's been very gentle nuzzling me. But she can't quite work out why we can't go riding at the moment. Although I don't think my boyfriend is going to be as sympathetic as Tippy when he realises he's got to muck her out, groom and feed her this weekend! Oops forgot to tell him!

One thing my bad back has made me realise is how painful it must be for horses and ponies to have to wear a saddle which doesn't fit them and pinches. It must be agony! Even though I'm pretty sure Tippy's saddle is okay, I'm going to get a saddle fitter to come out and give it the once over - just in case.