In winter I only kept up two saddle horses, picked ponies, favourites and almost friends.

They were fed with grain night and morning, and, to save hay, were allowed to graze out at night.

They regularly returned at early morning for their feed, so I never had to go after them.

One morning, however, they did not appear.

It was quite unaccountable to me and very awkward, as it left me afoot and unable to do anything.