25th November, 2010 Stop meddling

If there was one thing I could stop people doing to horses it would be meddling with their noses. This overhandling irritates the life out of them and leads them to either move their head away or to start nibbling and messing back. Have a look at how many people automatically put their hand out to a horse's mouth when they approach it and how many then go on to play with them until they react. Instead of reinforcing this sort of behaviour which shows the horse how to demand attention, reward the horse for being calm and quiet by giving him a lovely rub on the neck.

25th November, 2010 Shetland, New Forest!

You'd be forgiven for thinking you were in the Shetland Isles in Fritham at the moment - what with the bleak chill and the Shetland ponies all over the green. These ponies are very popular with buyers and are put in foal to Shetland stallions rather than crossing them with the Foresters. They often behave like highwaymen, stopping cars and demanding food.

25th November, 2010 Hughie

This pretty little chap is Hughie, a Welsh Mountain pony. Although happy once he is caught, Hughie can be iffy about actually being caught and Anne, his owner, spent four frustrating hours trying to bring him in last weekend. Today I used clicker training to establish a link between his headcollar, a click and a treat. He was soon asking us to put his headcollar on in the stable and we then ventured out to a small paddock where he allowed us to do the same. Hopefully, this small change in technique will change his mind about being caught.

24th November, 2010 Lyndhurst Fire Station

From one emergency service to another. Jenny and I were invited to the fire station today for the formal commissioning of the Animal Rescue Tender which has been sponsored by the Petplan Charity. Jim's talk about the role of the Team in national and international training of fire officers and trauma vets was a good reminder of the serious purpose behind all the work that they do. Louise Minchin from BBC South who is also involved in Real Rescues came along too. To support them please see the Friends of Hampshire Animal Rescue Team page on Facebook.

Last week saw the team heading off to accept the award of the Tarquin Cup from the British Horse Society, talking about the importance of animal rescue to heads of service across the country as well as defending their funding; a busy busy time. Thank goodness for organisations such as Petplan that saw the passion and dedication within the team and agreed to support them.

23rd November, 2010 Imber Court

A fascinating visit to meet the police horses at Imber Court today with the Wessex Classical Riding Group. We had an excellent guide in Civilian Groom, Natasha, who has worked with the horses for years and years and clearly loves her job. With 110 police horses within the Metropolitan Police force, 63 of which are living at Imber Court at present, she has plenty of work - here they train mounted police officers as well as the horses themselves. The officers attend a 22 week full time course and some of them have never been near a horse before. This was week 8 and they were already jumping - they do however ride three times a day! The horses are used at football matches, concerts and carnivals such as Notting Hill as well as every day duties dealing with whatever crime is thrown up in London including burglaries and robberies. Some of the horses live at local stations where they are stalled all the time although they get plenty of exercise every day. The horses are also used for ceremonial events and now have to look forward to the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton.

They have a website at: http://www.met.police.uk/mountedbranch/duties.htm

22nd November, 2010 ZZ Tops

Back to Vale Farm where Dot is leading nicely (and Alessa isn't doing badly!)

"Had the most amazing, surreal day, face to face with a zebra!"AS

"I had a really good day, feel like I've learnt a great deal with you and look forward to future courses :)" CER

20th November, 2010 Buffy and co.

We worked with 10 different equines at Vale Farm today including Buffy. For Melanie this was her birthday present (I won't say how old). She brought along her friend Sally Toye who I last met 16 years ago when I was doing an endurance ride. I remember asking her what she did for a living - she replied that she worked for Richard Branson. "Trolley Dolly" I thought, somewhat sexistly, "I'm a pilot" she added. It taught me an important lesson about women's attitudes to women and I have never forgotten it. Hopefully I have moved on A LOT since then (I should think so!!!). Sally is now a Captain flying jumbos all over the world and she rides for the English endurance team.

"Thank you I loved every second xx"MM

"What was most exciting was to see all this in its infancy and I know how successful it will be...."ST

"Had an extraordinary day yesterday training with Sarah Weston and the Zeeee's. An amazing experience and a wonderful photo opportunity too - - - - - thank you!!!" ASH