Bassingfield Riding School, Livery and Tack shop

Today we pause in the stillness of the stables to remember those who served, both human and horse. 🌺🐴

I SPOKE TO YOU IN WHISPERS

By

Neil Andrew

I spoke to you in whispers

As shells made the ground beneath us quake

We both trembled in that crater

A toxic muddy bloody lake

I spoke to you and pulled your ears

To try and quell your fearful eye

As bullets whizzed through the raindrops

And we watched the men around us die

I spoke to you in stable tones

A quiet tranquil voice

At least I volunteered to fight

You didn't get to make the choice

I spoke to you of old times

Perhaps you went before the plough

And pulled the haycart from the meadow

Far from where we're dying now

I spoke to you of grooming

Of when the ploughman made you shine

Not the shrapnel wounds and bleeding flanks

Mane filled with mud and wire and grime

I spoke to you of courage

As gas filled the Flanders air

Watched you struggle in the mud

Harness acting like a snare

I spoke to you of peaceful fields

Grazing beneath a setting sun

Time to rest your torn and tired body

Your working day is done

I spoke to you of promises

If from this maelstrom I survive

By pen and prose and poetry

I'll keep your sacrifice alive

I spoke to you of legacy

For when this hellish time is through

All those who hauled or charged or carried

Will be regarded heroes too

I spoke to you in dulcet tones

Your eye told me you understood

As I squeezed my trigger to bring you peace

The the only way I could

And I spoke to you in whispers......

Picture "Goodbye Old Man" by Fortunino Matania.

A very Merry Christmas to everyone! Milky has had a little bit of Christmas cheer added 🤣🎁🎄🎅

He says "Bah, humbug!"

There have been some spooky goings on recently at Bassingfield!

Zeus and Lady learning to cope with a showground environment. As you can see they have completely bonded together like two atoms fusing!

Nutmeg, the tiniest pony at Bassingfield with the tiniest rider.

Rest in peace, Your Majesty.

Jennifer doing some routine dental work on Zeus and Lady with the help from a vet student who is on placement with us.