As more work comes in and the IH magazine deadlines loom once again, the week seems to have whizzed by. Last Tuesday I attended a meeting of the New Forest Roads Campaign Group (which has a Facebook page) to talk about how we can draw attention to the behaviour of drivers and the behaviour of the wild ponies which don't tend to mix very well. We have been told about the work of the Animal Accident Reduction Group which was initiated by the Verderers and meets with all of the relevant authorities including the Commoners' Defence Association and the police. Whilst there is no need to duplicate their work, there is a need to do something especially about some of the very worst roads which includes the B3078 from Fordingbridge to Cadnam. Film maker and wildlife photographer Simon Palmer is keen to become involved in the campaign. We have made plans for an event which will hopefully take place in October this year just before the clocks change.
I've also been to see and work with some interesting horses. One sadly is attacking people and I have had to give some pretty serious advice about that one. It's always hard to know where to draw the line but ultimately people's safety is paramount. On Saturday I went to see a more solid version of Petra, a 17 year old Welsh Cob who has competed at dressage. He's worried about being ridden out on his own even at this age and it just shows that it's a missing part of many a horse's education. So tempting to think that a horse of that age ought to do anything that you want.
Email received 5.2.12: "In the field we're implementing moving all of them around us, looking away when they offer to be caught etc, they're leading beautifully and your exercise with 'my space' worked a treat after dismounting today, no more human rubbing post (which does often try). Interesting times!" CJ
This morning it was off to see another Welsh pony, a really beautiful girl with an absolute objection to having a bit in her mouth. Whether it started because of pain or because of unsympathetic handling with the bit, she has now developed a strategy for avoiding the bit that works every time. We have started to undo that and here you can see her holding the bit in her teeth rather than going up in the air. With an incremental approach and the temporary use of a bit-less bridle for riding, she should get there.
Email received 6.2.12: "I love her to bits and was very proud of her today! I am so very pleased that I called you, you were fab with her." MM
There will be an interesting article on the merits of bit-less and bitted bridles in the very next edition of the IH magazine which is due out at the beginning of March. If you want to make sure you get your copy join IH now at www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk
"It is the only mag I read cover to cover!" Heather Moffett
