WAY back in the summer of 2016 we were asked to walk our first Heythrop hound puppies. Having walked beagles and bassets before, we thought, “How hard can it be?”
We were swiftly delivered three absolutely gorgeous bundles of mischief named Romper, Romulus and Rosebud. They enriched and ruined our lives in equal measure.
The two boys were dopey but kind, and Rosebud? Well, she was a menace at walk; always busy but also very loving. She was a compact puppy and to this day is still dwarfed by her kennel mates. The adorable stripe down her face and her love of cocking her head to one side meant that she got away with murder here at White House Farm.
The harvest drew to a close, meaning it was time for these three darlings to return to kennels after their summer of education.
Being lucky enough to get out with hounds on a regular basis, it was easy to keep up to date with our blossoming young entry.
Romulus knocked our master and huntsman continually off of his bicycle – he was more Shetland pony than hound – Romper was a little timid, and Rosebud her usual determined self.
The puppy show came and went, the only silverware acquired being the obligatory silver spoon for our ugly ducklings. Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder.
Autumn swiftly fell and our family were keen to see our pups out on their first morning’s trail-hunting – if a little anxious for them. The boys were heaven sent and obedient, but the cries of “Rosebud” echoed through the Heythrop hunt country with force.
Luckily our pups settled nicely to the job in hand and our two daughters, Ella and Iris, delighted each week in seeing ”their puppies” at work.
Denne historien er fra June 25, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra June 25, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
