Circle of Friends

One of the best things about having written a book about semi-feral ponies is that people like to keep in touch and tell you about their progress. Where they feel they need some hands-on help, I have trusted Recommended Associates and graduates of my No Fear No Force courses that I can point them to and know they won't come up with some fancy techniques, like lassooing them or backing them up into a corner. Probably my favourite is Jenny Major who was working at the Exmoor Pony Centre just as we started up the courses. She then came on board as a trainer at the Dartmoor Pony Centre when we ran later courses there. She was one of those people who just gets it from the outset.

That was some 17 years ago and Jenny became a Recommended Associate soon afterwards, became one of the founding members of Hands On Horsemanship at Horseworld and since worked with HorseWorld staff on and off for a very long time. 

When Susie, the owner of two Exmoor semi-feral ponies contacted me for help, I knew exactly who to send her to, and her fabulour progress with her ponies has been assisted along the way by the book No Fear, No Force and the hands on help of Jenny. 

Not only can Susie catch her ponies, but she can lead them, pick up their feet, and ask them to accept a syringe in their mouths. 

"It has been invaluable to have both your book and Jenny to refer to for experience, tips and reassurance. I've had horses since a child but have never started from the beginning, and with semi feral ponies too, it has been an amazing chance to really learn about them and how they’re responding, and truly earn their trust. I respect them so much, such clever ponies with strong instincts."

 

Meanwhile at the other end of the south coast, Shirley is making great progress with her two Dartmoor Hill  ponies, Buzzard and Raven (above). She has taken her time to befriend and tame them. Halter training them with No Fear, No Force and then beginning to build up their confidence about doing other things. 

Raven, who went through the Chagford Pony Sales, arrived with lugs of his winter coat still attached but has blossomed ever since.

Raven too is look a lot smarter.

More recently Shirley received a rather stern warning about preparing her ponies for the attention and intervention of other people - such as the vet and the farrier. I put her in touch with Suzanne Halsey, but before her visit, a sympathetic vet came out and managed to give him his booster jab after spending some time getting to know him. The farrier too was able to trim all of his hooves. Suzanne was able to assess the progress of each pony and was the very first stranger to attempt to catch Raven and then to lead him around.   

"Suzanne was very encouraging about progress so far, she ‘got’ Raven straight away. She has recommended some exercises for Raven, to improve his trust with other people, and for Buzzard, with poles to encourage him to be more aware of where he’s putting his feet." Shirley

Friend, Sarah Tallents who rehomes polo ponies, is getting on well with her young New Forest, Gin, who arrived at her yard in a headcollar. Sarah and her daughter were luckily able to get if off and their patient work is paying off. Gin has become friendly and affectionate. 

Mulibwanji and his mother Snippet are making new friends at Melanie's and Snippet, who is 22, is allowing Melanie to slip a lead rein around her neck to lead her!

Meanwhile Prince and Ruth are looking out for an ark as the river next to their livery yard has burst its banks.

 My lot are spending every night munching hay together in the yard...

and the days squishing about in the mud after more hay in the field.