The wet autumn weather means horses are coming in from daytime turnout plastered in mud. Fortunately, the new horse showers are coming on apace.

The concrete, slatted floor is securely in position, allowing baths to be taken and the water to escape through the holes into a deep tank below.

But the new arrangement, although most welcome, is not without its challenges for the ladies at the yard. The eerie drip and gush of the water below is reminiscent of a Victorian sewer and means some horses are finding bath time a disconcerting experience.

The Boss determinedly stepped in with a broom when one mare refused to go near the slatted floor.

Our three horses have shown the differences in their characters with their reaction to the new arrangements.

Mrs Horse, always stressy about things round her feet, stepped on gingerly before high-stepping across, snorting in alarm. We have yet to add to her terror by hosing down her legs on the slats.

Daniel was very suspicious of the subterranean waters, carefully weighing up the dangers below.

“I ’ope a person won’t end up ’avin’ a swim,” he said, clopping warily forward.

“That one won’t even notice,” called yard manager Holly as Jenny led Baby Horse forward for his turn.

He had enjoyed a ringside view from his stable as ladies persuaded their horses on to the slats.

Baby stepped straight on, oblivious to the deep, swirling, waters below.

“What’s the problem?” he squeaked, mad amber eyes peering skywards for some sort of answer.

Now the clocks have gone back and darkness falls by 5pm, Daniel is in at night. Holly told us he was jealously attacking some of his elderly companions when they came in at dusk.

Blustery wind and driving rain made for unpleasant riding conditions at the weekend.

Esme and Mrs Horse found a rare glimpse of sunshine to tackle old and new challenges in the cross-country field.

The last fence Esme jumped before she took a year off riding because of her back operation was the daunting steeplechase fence. Until Saturday, she had not jumped it since.

She and Mrs Horse had a good look at the obstacle – as if weighing up the first fence at the Grand National – before wheeling round and bowling in to clear it in fine style. Mrs Horse also leapt the bulky “skinny” log at the bottom of the field for the first time.

Not to be outdone, Daniel trotted in and hopped over the log for the second time in a week.

We hope it stands him in good stead for Sunday’s indoor hunter trials at Broomhill Equestrian Centre, our first competition since the excitement of Coniston.

Jenny Loweth & Steve Wright