Between Visits

Between visiting days, I thought it might be nice to look back on the lives of the outties and what they got up to during all those years.

Blue (Marchwood Perky) is twenty this year. She was born on the Forest but was bought, along with Nelly, by a lady from Arlesford who approached me to do some behavioural work with them both - Nelly was a thug! Later she brought Blue in to me to be started under saddle but during her visits realised that Blue was too small for her. I bought the two of them on the basis that they would be turned back out on to the Forest and they lived there, on and off, for sixteen years. 

Blue had two boyfriends over the years - Oliver and then Blue. Both were geldings. In the summer they would pray to the trees for the insects to leave them alone. 

Although she is friendly, Blue didn't bother with people much but after this lady had been studying her for over an hour, Blue thought she ought to check out her credentials. 

During the last nine months during which the ponies were off the Forest altogether, we have been alternating their fields with one at Godshill, some six miles away on foot. Luckily Blue can be lead easily and has always had a wonderful temperament. 

Despite playing a lot of kiss-chase, Blue only became pregnant once (and sadly not by Lovelyhill High Jack). 

Her foal, Kanuthi, was by Pondhead Panshine

She was very fond of Nelly's foals and like everyone, worshipped Juma.

Here reflected in the water with him and turned upside-down.

But Blue was always her best boyfriend. It was sad to part them but she seems happy to be in Jack's harem now. 

One year, when the stallions were out, we secured a field for them near The Red Shoot and walked back across country guiding them until they reached the edge of their haunt and galloped away. 

At different times we tried different things to try and make them more visible to the traffic. Like most things, these fell or were pulled out, and littered the Forest. Nice while they lasted.

It was rare for them to go through the drifts as I always tried to bring them in, but they were pretty calm on the odd occasion that they were caught up. I like to lead them through for their new collars and tail-marking (where the agister checks their marking fee has been paid and cuts the tail in the shape for his area). On the whole the agisters could depend on my to look after my own ponies. 

Blue was turned out for the last time in her life in July last year after the stallions were brought in, and stayed there until August. 

She spent the winter at Godshill where she grew rather round.

This has to be my favourite photograph of her, blossoming like the heather, out on the Forest.

 Along with this one at Janesmoor Pond.

And this one at the World War II water trough. 

If you would like to read more about my ponies, the horses I worked with, and my checkered life please go to Sarah Weston Author