15th July, 2014 Six of the Best

Today we spent six hours with Kate and her six ponies in Steyning. Five out of the six are New Forest ponies, one a Dartmoor Hill Pony, and most bought through the sales yard at Beaulieu Road. We had quite a shopping list of things to do and we started off with catching work with Sky.

During his ridden session Sky learned to move away from the leg to a very light aid and Kate imagining his one back leg crossing over in front of the other.

I haven't done a lot with Excalibur and Sunny since we halter trained them as part of a course a couple of years ago. Now two, they are gentle young gentlemen and very sweet to work with. We taught them both how to load easily.

Sky has been reluctant to load since he was present when another pony began banging about in the trailer some time ago. Today we worked on asking him to flow on and off the trailer again.

We finished the day not, as it seems, encouraging Tor to grow a bit more, but asking him to cope with a bit of water on his body. It's funny how these ponies, accustomed to a lot of rain on their home moors, say that they can't possibly tolerate a bit of tepid water from the hose. Here we are using a simple house plant watering can to make a start.

"What did I learn from the day? Lots of 'little' things that will make a big difference, eg. that being tied up can be the issue, not what I'm asking for and not getting.  Jiggle the rope if the pony gets hold of it.  Which bit of the tendon to squeeze.  To turn the foot right up when holding it.  Catching: To stop when Sky stops and turn away slightly to 'invite' him to look at me.  To relax my bum when riding.  To visualise what I want the pony to do, expect it to happen, and it will. I rode Sky for the saddler, and I got on in the school without him moving away, and he set off at a good 90% walk.  He weaved all over the place to start with, but after a few circuits I asked for trot and he settled into a steady trot." KS

14th July, 2014 Chance Encounter

Chance is the first of twelve horses that I am working with this week (weather permitting!). You may recall that he is the Bodmin Moor Pony that was totally wild when he came to his owner a few months ago. She called me into help with his initial handling. Over the following three months he has done brilliantly, and so has she, and he now feels like a normal friendly pony who is full of character, curiosity and confidence. Today we started to prepare him for the farrier since the only time he has had his feet done previusly was under sedation when he was gelded. Once he understood what he was being asked to do and how to balance himself on three legs he was quite relaxed about the whole thing and we could handle his feet with and without the headcollar on. That's some progress.

To begin with we don't keep the foot up for long and we keep it close to the floor and directly underneath his body.

"Hi Sarah thanks again for today couldn't have done it without you. Looking forward to my homework and will let you know how it goes. Sorry forgot to chat about your holiday...but I will work on getting a camel for you and keep you posted ...." TG

12th July, 2014 Bryn-man-ship

This moth-eaten little chap, inevitably turning roan, is one of the last foals in England by Lovelyhill High Jack. Now turned 16, High Jack is no longer eligible to be turned out on the Forest and in any event had been out for four years in the same area. I am pleased to hear that he was successfully exported to Sweden so will be able to carry on with stud duties there. I have always been very fond of this stallion because of his beautiful temperament.

My own pony, Pie, continues to live out on the Forest very happily. He has unfortunately got sunburn on his little pink nose. I shall try to put something on it to sooth it tomorrow. I sometimes wonder if pink skinned pony are made for this world. I think he would hate to be kept in.

The Shetland mother's knitting circle arrived at out gate today, escaping the flies and the attention of the tourists.

Welsh Cob Bryn is four years old and came to his owners from the stud where he has been kept entire until he was three. In this sort of weather one of the first priorities was to get fly spray on him. We worked in the field at first because he has been spooky in the school.

Not so spooky today. Some good groundwork set him up to work really nicely. Owners Heather and Alan were really thrilled with him and have booked another session for desensitisation work next weekend.

"Thank you Sarah we all had a tremendous time :)x" HR

11th July, 2014 Why The Long Face?

I have a penchant for mules but I'm not sure about these pony sized mules that appear about once a year at Fritham. They're an unfortunate colour and an unfortunate shape. Nevertheless, if the exist, they matter, and it's great to see them integrated into the pony herd where no doubt their dam is one of the founder members. Ponies seem to be quick to ostracize and the Shetland and New Forest ponies live entirely separately with an 'oddities' group of Appaloosa crosses and coloured ponies living in another two separate groups.

There are a total of four, one a little bit spotty but all grey with pink around their eyes and muzzle. In theory at least hybrids cannot breed although there can be the odd exception to the rule. I thnk they are growing on me....

10th July, 2014 Driving Miss Daisy

When A bought Daisy she was told that she wasn't really suitable for a novice but she was keen to learn everything she could from her horse. Originally from Ireland, it's apparent that Daisy has had some poor treatment in the past and was driven when she was just a yearling. She has made really good progress, learning to pick up her feet, being tied up and enjoying her riding lessons. A describes her as her 75% horse. One problem, however, undermined all of her other work - Daisy was just so strong on the ground. If she were in the Dr Doolittle movie she would be a PUSHYOUPULLYOU!

This was evident from the start as Daisy pulled her owner through the gate and up the field and then pushed her all over the place. She went up in my estimation completely though when she was being led along the road. Traffic in this part of Christchurch is diabolical and drivers will attempt to squeeze between a horse and a massive lorry coming the other way. The only way to prevent that is to completely dominate your own lane by walking right down the middle of it.  Fortunately Daisy is utterly traffic proof and we didn't have very far to go to get to the main Equestrian Centre where they have all the facilities you might ever want. 

Here it was a matter of setting up some very simple ground rules and asking Daisy to be attentive and responsive. Pushing and pulling is all very well when there are no consequences but out on the road it could be a real problem.  Although the situation dictates that she has to wear a bridle on the road - can you imagine what a court would say to a mere headcollar in that level of traffic? - we worked using the Dually headcollar in the round pen so that there was no pressure on her mouth at least.

Hopefully these few boundaries, consistently applied, will set A up for the future with Daisy and make everyone's life a lot safer.

Facebook: "Feeling tired and excited at the same time!! Just had a long lesson with lovely Sarah Weston and her fab helper Tracy to show me how to do groundwork properly with Daisy!! Wow I can honestly say Sarah is gonna make my life so much easier!! Thank you so much , I will for sure incorporate it all in my daily routine!! Xx" AC

and later....

"Omg Sarah Weston what have you done to my horse?? She was just anazing to night to bring her in!! Even put cream on her legs in the Dually collar and she stood still for a bit! She totaly responded to what you taught me today!! Happy happy happy xx" AC

9th July, 2014 Life's a Breeze

Ponies taking advantage of the breeze at the top of the hill today - blows all the insects away and gives a chance for some proper rest.

Time between visits to take Jack and Nettles out. Once we're in the inclosure we can take their headcollars off and rely on them to follow us round or lead the way. They take the occasional tea break to try out all of the different grasses available.

It's really just like having two big Labradors. We count them out and we count them back in again.

8th July, 2014 Spangle of my Universe

A little daytrip for Theoden, the light of my life, and Petra with Tracey today. We went to Tenantry Farm at Rockbourne where we had the course to ourselves save for the hares, deer and buzzard. This UK chasers course has been going over twenty years now and hosts all kinds of events from driving to pony club camp, endurance and sponsored rides. Petra knew her way round but Theoden has never been and he was agog. A beautiful bit of English Countryside immaculately maintained by Rob and Ailsa McLeod.

http://www.tenantry.co.uk/