Sienna is Hugh's English Thoroughbred mare. She will be 9 years old this week.

She was a rescue horse and came to us three years ago in a bad way. We don't know a great deal about her background, only that she was trained to race and was of a nervous disposition. She was thin and ill in March 2008 and we felt very sorry for her.

Hugh spent all his free time with her. He took her for walks in the forest and gently eased her into her new life in the country.

He played games with her to strengthen her muscles and trained her (or tried to!) in the field which became her home with two other mares.

She was nourished and groomed with all Hugh's care and expertise.

He rode her whenever he could, mostly in the forest around our village and sometimes across open pasture land.

We loved to admire her running in the sunshine with her mane flying.

In the past year, Hugh has had serious health problems and has come to the painful decision to give up Sienna to someone who will exercise her and give her the good home she deserves. Quite by chance, a new owner has been found who lives locally. She and Ingeborg have come to an arrangement whereby Sienna can stay in her field where she feels safe (she is still a nervous horse) and where she will continue to live with Joy and Liberté, the companions she is used to.

Lucky Robin will still be able to ride Sienna. She has had special permission.

We feel immensely relieved about Sienna's future, although Hugh had some sad moments when he parcelled up her belongings - her brushes and bridles and so on - to pass to her new owner. And as I trawled through the hundreds of photographs that I have taken of them over the past 3 years, I couldn't help crying a bit too.

In a way, I hope Hugh doesn't read this. It will make him as tearful as I was. But at least he can visit her from time to time when he feels better about the whole thing.

Theirs was a true love affair.

Robin and Hester are back in France with Dan.

Christmas in Amsterdam was fun, there were parties for Robin's and Hester's birthdays and Robin enjoyed school. But her favourite horse, Sienna, was always in her mind and she was thrilled to be invited by Ingeborg for a gentle ride in the forest.

For her birthday Robin was given everything a young horsewoman needs for the all-important grooming: brushes, combs and a sponge. Sienna hates water though, as Robin reminded us.

First, a good brush down to get that shaggy winter coat shining. Next, her hooves, clogged with mud and little stones, were scraped.

Sienna's three companions looked on enviously as they worked. Who wouldn't want to go for a walk in the forest with such an enthusiastic rider?

Robin has grown since we last saw her in December. Hugh will have to punch some more holes in her stirrups.

Louvia led the way. She knows every inch of the forest.

More curious neighbours: these donkeys live near the holiday yurts at the top of the village. This lovely white horse (white in summer!) is 30 years old and in fine health.

A good start to the riding year for Robin.

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Here in Central France, we're having a dry summer so a hose pipe ban has been imposed. Our plants must fend for themselves, although some of the lucky ones get the rinsing water from washing up.

Since the spring in the horses' field has all but dried up, Ingeborg is having to bring water twice a day.

Hugh spent the morning digging out the mud from the spring to allow what little water there is to rise.

As soon as they saw movement and heard the sound of Hugh's shovel, all five horses came up from the lower meadow to investigate. Uhlyara wanted to jump in with Hugh. She stayed while he worked and even tried a little taste of the mud.

Lots of mud was thrown up onto the grass as the water level increased slightly. There's life in the bottom of the puddle, some sort of beetle hiding deep down.

Further away there is another hidden spring, marked long ago with a post. The grass around it is squelchy and damp. Hugh hooked away the brambles and weeds.

In a far off field, downwind from us, we saw a deer feeding on stubble. His family were not far behind.

At last, the spring was revealed. We could see the faintest movement of running water. By this evening, the muddy water will have cleared and the girls will be able to drink.

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and I'll scratch yours.

Horses can be clever. I hadn't realised how well they communicate until the other day when I saw Sienna nibbling at Liberté's back. Hugh explained that Liberté had touched Sienna's back to tell her where the itchy place she couldn't reach was. Then Sienna scratched it for her with her teeth. A lovely example of their closeness.

This is how the two youngest help one another. They stand in the shade, head to tail, and flick their tails to shoo the flies from each other's eyes. Cool cooperation!

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It's always a pleasure to welcome little Robin to La Borne. This time she came with  Merlijn from Amsterdam. They are Very Best Friends.

Of course, they were longing to ride Sienna so we all trooped off to the mares' field with the children's parents.

Full of confidence, Robin sat well, clasping a handful of Sienna's mane. Hugh led them round the field - and then round again, after which it was Merlijn's turn. Merlijn is hardly ever without a smile. He is nearly four years old.

After their rides they brushed Sienna. Robin paid special attention to her front left leg and Merlijn concentrated on her chest - with Papa's help.

Sienna likes to be scratched and made the most of Hugh's attention.

Our patient mare was rewarded with sweet treats.

Last of all, we walked along the lane to Bronze's field where Robin fed him his evening muesli. They are quite used to one another now.

We enjoyed our afternoon. Come back soon, Robin and Merlijn!

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Robin came back to France from Amsterdam with her parents, Hester and Dan.

Horses are her best thing and she couldn't wait to visit Bronze and the mares.

She gave each horse a carrot - several carrots! - and helped Hugh take hay to spread on the field for them. Nothing was too difficult for Robin.

She rode all round the paddock on Sienna then thanked her for her ride with a treat.

Walking along the path to Bronze's field we found a dead mouse. After examining it, Robin covered its body with leaves.

Bronze ate up his muesli nicely with close attention from our beautiful little visitor.

Next she raked the hay into a tidy pile and carried a fresh supply into the stable for Bronze's evening snack.

After her hard work it was time to go home to our house for tea and apricot cake.

Come again soon, Robin. You're the best stable girl around!

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This is our four year old friend Robin. She lives mostly in Amsterdam and sometimes in France where her parents have a home near ours.

Robin loves horses and wants to learn to ride soon. She already has the right hat for riding. Lessons are sure to follow.

We took her and her father Dan to introduce her to Bronze. She helped to feed him and gave him apple-flavoured horse sweets.

Robin helped Hugh carry hay into Bronze's stable.

Then she 'rode' him for a while, holding tight to his mane. (Dan held tight to his daughter!)

Liberty was pleased to see her and Robin was ready with the sweets. Last of all, she brushed Sienna's muddy coat and sat on her back while Sienna ate her supper.

Well done, Robin. You were brave. You'll be a good horsewoman!

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