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

Captain, navigator and ratings

 

There was little evidence of the ponies at the reserve yesterday although I was pleased that they had been close to the two cattle grids without getting into any trouble; Jack hasn't met one since he was a baby but the others are very familiar with them. Jack is the captain of the ship, but Nelly is definitely the navigator and seems to have steered him carefully through the straits!

I found the cows easily enough - on both circuits of the reserve. They have lovely names like Delia and Samphire, but I don't know which is which. 

Some tracks in the woods have been cut back - and then grazed down - and the butterflies are making the most of them.

Now on my second circuit, I'm beginning to wonder if the ponies have skipped over the cattle grid and are making their way back home!

Suddenly I hear a 'pleugh' in the middle of the woods and Nelly appears along the shaded track. The others follow but where is Pie?

I managed to cover him in fly cream - yes, there are crab flies here - and will monitor if it is any good. 

The ponies start slowly heading for the water trough, stopping in the shade between short walks. Pie and I dutifully follow. 

Patsy is in great condition and still looking slightly surprised to find herself abroad. She has never left the Forest before. 

Nelly goes ahead, "Come on guys..."

Jack shows his ghastly teeth - ground down by years of short New Forest grass on sandy soil. The veterinary dentist is happy that he is in no pain but this longer grass will really help him to maintain his weight. Jack has never had so much space or choice before. 

Finally the cows have got up and they come over to stare at the ponies - no fraternisation yet. 

This is as close as they have come so far...

Back at home the grass has become entirely dried out by the sun and eaten down by the fallow deer - upwards of seventy frequenting the fields at the moment.

I decided to let the big horses in with the long ears and watched as they simply swapped fields!

Theoden and Dave were happy to have the barn instead of the field shelter. 

Visitations

The reserve ponies were visited by at least three sets of people yesterday so we took the evening shift. The flies are particularly bothersome and so I hope they will continue to explore until they find a sanctuary in some of the woodlands that surround the main grassy areas. Otherwise, they look glowing and vigorous. 

The Goldilocks Girls and Jack, ahem and Pie!

This morning we set off before the heat of the day to take Jack, Nelly, Blue, Patsy and Pie, to their new home in the wildlife reserve. I cannot quite believe my luck to have been offered this opportunity, which if it works out, could see them through the rest of their lives. I am sure there are a lot of people who would have liked this chance, but thinking about it, you have to have pretty specialised ponies to be able to turn them out in this sort of environment. They must have a great degree of nous without being too clever at opening gates, climbing through fences, or undoing knots. They must not be too wild but must not be too tame, the must be capable of surviving on their own but not so independent that you don't stand a chance of being able to tempt them in if you need them. As a group these have the advantage of all those things, they can be easily differentiated from each other, and they are native to this country. They now have six weeks on probation so let's see if they can fulfill the brief. 

Singing the Blues

After Nelly, the pony that suffered the most after Juma was killed was his magnificent 'step-father' Blue (White Blue). His whole family were taken away in one night when I brought them home for safe-keeping. Fortunately, he still had the company of the little mare who we have always called Nanny because she too took good care of Juma. I had been tempted to beg to buy Blue but since he had a constant friend I didn't need to, and at his age I imagine he would far rather live out. As it is, he visits occasionally, looking over the gate looking poignantly at Nelly and Blue (Grey Blue) with their new beau, Jack. 

Nanny is a constant in Blue's life and hopefully she will have a foal that he can nurture again as he did Juma. He was an amazing role model.

Under a Bigger Sky

 

All being well, those with the short ears in this five acre field will be moving to the conservation reserve next Saturday. Jack, Nelly and Blue will be travelling first class in a brand new horsebox with is normally used to transport the poshest Arabians, and Patsy and Pie will be moved in our once stolen but now recovered stock trailer which has been washed and checked over ready for the occasion. 

I imagine that all of my photos for a while will be of ponies eating their heads off. I have to hope that the winter will begin to regulate their bodies again although there is plenty for them to get at above the height of any snow which might fall. The first year will probably put them back on a more natural track. 

Patsy (formerly known as orange girl) will enjoy her freedom again. I did promise her previous owner that she would have a semi-feral life into her old age and she should be in her element once she gets there. 

Born on the Welsh Mountains, Pie is already well-travelled and he will be happy to live out his life with his girlfriend.

My next job is to pack their suitcases and make sure they have all got a clean hanky.