Snippet and Mulibwangi are Ready for Winter

Snippet, the mare that had lived out on the Forest for twenty-two years and has now become utterly domesticated, had her teeth done for the very first time in her life today. Considering that, the dentist said that her teeth were not bad at all. 

Meanwhile Mulibwangi has at least been castrated which will set him up for a good life in the future. Here the vet is performing a standing operation under high sedation which is always best if it can be achieved. 

I feel very good about putting these ponies into a secure situation with their new owner Melanie. Read back if you want to see their history.

This brings to a close my involvement with other people's ponies, especially in a hands on way.  

Shetland Ponies

Some time ago I put up pictures of Gael and Sammy, two Shetland ponies that live on the Black Isle in the most amazing environment.  There owner ordered a copy of my book, and following some email conversations, this prompted to stick my holiday pin in this part of the UK so that we could go to visit. Whilst progress had been made, and the farrier had been able to attend to her hooves twice, Gael was prone to going backwards in her training whenever there was intervention that she considered to be too much for her little soul. 

Of course, Julie and I were tempted to play and used tiny rolled up bit of bread as clickered-rewards to ask her to accept being touched and to have a lead rein draped around her face as if it were a headcollar. 

Not bad from a pony who is extremely wary of strangers. 

There are so many lessons that a Shetland Pony can teach you, such as the need to make yourself small - they must get so fed up of looking people in the knees! But all the usual ones for handling a semi-feral pony- small but tasty treats, look away as if you are not worthy when they make any progress, keep breathing and think about things like your shopping list instead of CATCHING the pony, do everything on both sides and accept that they will be better on one than the other, work quietly and gently. 

Highland Ponies

Last week Julie and I were happily reunited for a holiday in Scotland, partly to celebrate her birthday and partly the end of her degree. Like a typical New Forest pony, she has been tenacious, steadfast and dedicated, and once her dissertation is finished, that will be the very end of seven years of really hard work. 

For a treat, I set up a secret meeting with Scottish stalwart Ruaridh Ormiston and his sister, Sylvia. Both are keen breeders of Highland Ponies, a tradition that goes back many years in their ancestry. Sylvia also ran the Balmoral Stud for the late Queen, which has sadly been closed down, for over 30 years. I can't imagine how upset -and cross - she must have been when the axe fell. 

 

We first met up with Ruaridh at the Burgie Bash, where he was demonstrating with his ponies and racing his little dog. Even then, Julie hadn't entirely cottoned-on to what we were up to.

Two days later we drove to Kingussie where we met up with Ruaridh and his team and then all became clear.

These delightful ponies haven't been driving very long but we trusted Ruaridh when he told us that they were trustworth and well-trained. This was borne out as we passed huge timber lorries going across narrow bridges and the ponies didn't bat an eye-lid. 

We were a little more sceptical as we drove into a large field with a big herd of Highland ponies loose in it! They were a beautiful sight to see even when they were giddy with excitement, streaming out behind us, or crowding around the trap kissing the driving ponies. 

The bull was not impressed...

After a drive through the river, Julie took over the reins, and we learned a lot more about the Highland Clearances, the Jacobites and the Battle of Colloden which all took place hereabouts; Ruaridh is a passionate advocate for the Highlands.

Our tour did not stop there, Sylvia kindly fed us egg mayonnaise sandwiches and then took us to see the two stallions that she bought from the Balmoral Stud when she left. Although chalk and cheese, they both have wonderful temperaments and are beautiful examples of their breed. Their pedigrees can be found on All Pedigrees, and their details on the Highland Pony Breed Society website if you are looking for the perfect husband for your Highland Pony. AI is also available.  Personally, I could have taken them both hime but as they were originally born into Sylvia's arms, I can't see her letting them go!

Balmoral Sport

Balmoral MacLeod