So yes, it just keeps coming this month, a five week livery bill, shoes, feed, the physio, lessons, various membership renewal,s and then something absolutely necessary goes and gives up on me – my washing machine.  

In the summer if this happened, we could manage as boots, bandages, saddle pads, light rugs etc can be hosed down and put on the line. At this time of year, however, that is not an option. Firstly there is absolutely feck all drying out there, and secondly who at our age is going to stand by a cold hose washing tack and s…t. We are too old, too grumpy, and don’t have the time or inclination. Thus replacing the useless washing machine was a priority – you see we have been banned from the local petrol station washing machines for washing non-human garments. If they didn’t want us to was rugs they shouldn’t have made the drums take 18kgs – their mistake not ours.

Just a few pointers for you equestrians out there, a few little things to watch out for to make home life more harmonious.  

Firstly get one with a dark tinted window on the door – this will prevent nosey family members from seeing that you are washing the cooler rug you used on the cob the day “she who must be obeyed” clipped him.

Secondly; and this is a deal breaker – you need a 10KG machine with a 1600 rpm spin along with a sports wash cycle. A 10KG will do a good job of most stable rugs if you remove the neckpiece and will also, on the rinse cycle, give light turnouts a freshen up. Saddle pads will be a sinch, even the wool ones and that extra oomph in the spin cycle will help them dry on the rads in no time. Coolers and sweat sheets come out lovely but in order to keep from wrecking the drum I put the buckles in a sock first and nothing beats a good county GAA sock– not one of mine obviously. I wash most of my girths this way too in a pillow case.

Thirdly, another one to make homelife less of a hassle, try and get one that doesn’t have a filter which needs to be cleaned. I have lost count of the amount of arguments had in this household when himself sees the state of the filter – mind you it’s all organic matter so it’s compost bin friendly!

The wash bags you can buy are fine but in all fairness most of the time the shavings are no match for them and the rugs come out with soggy shavings still attached. Pillow cases are great for synthetic bridles, headcollars, lead ropes and lunging equipment.

Another tip for you is the dishwasher – this is a brilliant way of cleaning anything which can’t be put in the washing machine. Metal stirrup irons come out sparkling and bits come out like new.  

So we wasted a dry sunny afternoon this weekend trawling the electrical stores trying to find the perfect machine for my cobs needs – himself keeps asking why it has to be such a specific machine and I do the usual, and lie.  I tell him it’s for his golf clothes, job done!