What a mistake to make!

...What  a bad day to choose to forget to shut the gate that keeps the boys inside the barn during the time when the grass is most potent. I got them back in at 2.30 when I realised that they were missing.

I rode Ace at 5.30, warming him up under the lights first, and he actually kicked his belly when I did up the girth, which he has not done before, so I knew that I was in trouble. I got on with my heart in my mouth but he was fine. He only stood for a couple of seconds before he was prepared to move off, and the walk and trot were pretty good. I asked for canter and he exploded.

To be fair, he has been a lot worse and he was splatting some bright green and very sloppy poo. We also got some pretty good 10m canter circles, which in the past would make him buck just because they are difficult to do.

So all in all ,   he behaved well given the gassy stomach he was suffering from and I am really quite pleased with him. Provided I can remember to lock the gate in future, I think we will be OK.

C