There is something of the Boadicea (or do I mean Laurence Olivier - aka great actor) about the flaky mare this February.

And all the horse owners I speak to are in the same boat - our equine friends are uppity as spring fever hits and there is little relief with the fields so wet.

It was put to me this week that I could not do my job properly if I did not have a horse. A sentiment I fully agree with as there is something of brotherhood (ok sisterhood) in the sharing of those moments.

You know when the new big bale you just paid the earth for has to be rolled through a puddle to get to the shed and you spend the next 30 minutes prising the dirty wet outer skin off and feeding it to the bulls.

Or when you realise your mare has joined Equity as she re-enacts the slow march to the gallows everytime she goes out on a hack.

To suddenly grow by a hand and start jogging on the spot the minute we turn geographically towards home on our hack at whatever point, then to proceed the rest of the way sideways, fly leaping and pooping and generally being a terrible notice box.

There are degrees of horse ownership and the deeper you engage the more you get out of it. Some people purchase their equine and for whatever reason keep it in the field, and as long as it's looked after that's ok.

Other people (me included) acquire their equine and enjoy riding it as much as possible, but rarely venture away from home in a horse box or a trailer. Others train, join their riding or pony club, and many compete in a high octane way.

Recently having travelled to a jumping lesson (yes the one where I knocked the jump down with my leg as I cantered past it- much to Flakesters' chagrin- which she verbalised in a stunning display of unsettling bucks) and I realise that as you go up the levels of engagement the responsibilities grow.

So what is BHS doing about this - well in March we are holding out first 'So You Want to Buy a Horse' evening? This is in response to the fact that our Scottish welfare reps are 30% busier than ever handling concerns and giving practical and educational assistance.

Welfare concerns on the whole are largely caused by people who either don't want or can't handle the horse they have or indeed any horse at all. We think that everyone should be an educated owner before they buy. So we have set up this test event where people will learn about the law, the practicalities and the reality of horse ownership.

Followed by an examination of the five part vetting and finally an instructor led session on finding the right horse for you. - I wonder if anyone will come to hear us, as that is the big trick getting bums on the seats.

We are also holding two safe equine transportation days at the end of March one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow.

Weather wise we don't complain - because Scotland has got off lightly in this recent spell of storms . I sat at a meeting recently and heard the major equine welfare rescue and rehabilitation agencies say that their caseload in Scotland is negligible compared to England

www.bhsscotland.org.uk