Grazing Gazing

I'm pleased to see that the new Reserves Officer has been out to see his loyal subjects this week - and took these photos. He takes his new post this Thursday and must be both excited and possibly overawed by his new responsibilities. The ponies and I are doing everything we can to make his life easier. Between you and me he is a good choice. 

The ponies seem to think he is one of the good eggs.

It's Coming Home

 Bounty has popped back to the stables at Loisaba for a visit. 

So often we love horses, ponies, mules and zebra for the shapes they make and the pattern of their coats. Whilst Exmoors are like batches of beautiful cookies, zebras oreos make your eyes go funny.

I am looking forward to seeing Bounty, the Grevy's Zebra, next month. 

Hexmoors

Whilst in Hook I took some M and S cakes into the office and brought whole new meaning to the words, 'Grazing Team.' As if summoned, the Trust's new Exmoor mares turned up at the gate so that I could take a few photos. 

Moo-vement

A Friday visit to see the ponies and all was well. For no apparent reason they seemed to be quite lit up and I could only surmise that they were pleased to see the cattle as they joined them and settled down to eat. 

Patsy was the first to appear. She didn't make any noise but was clearly on a mission.

Then Jack appeared, came to check us out for food, but neighing at the cattle.

Nelly and Blue were next...

but Pie couldn't really see the urgency.

Altogether now.

Of melodies pure and true...

It's difficult to get into the yard at Fritham without the donkeys sounding their fog horns. I am sure they think they sound wonderful. Here's Olly giving it his best.

It's a signal for all of the others to amble in while we distribute hay under cover of the barn.

Which fortunately they all share nicely. 

I'm pleased with the effect the concrete has on Henrietta's hooves. 

I was testing a new camera body today and happy to take a few more photos out and about.

An angel at the graveyard outside Fordingbridge...

...and another one wandering about outside the High Corner Inn. 

Study Day

While I was having a study day at home, hoping to make use of my Swahili when we get to Kenya in December, Agent M was out scouting for my ponies at Hook. She recounts a little story every time she goes and this time it ended with Pie giving her a rather saucy wink or perhaps she poked him in the eye.

Nikiwa na siku ya kusoma, nikitarajia kutumia Kiswahili changu tukienda Kenya mwezi wa kumi na mbili, Ajenti M alitafuta farasi zangu katika hifadhi ya Hook. Anatengeneza na hadithi ndogo kila mara anapoenda. Mara hii ilimaliza kwa Pie kumkonyeza kwa kuhusa mapenzi  au labda M alimchochea jichoni.

Bright skies on a Sunday. 

Window into the soul

It is very nice to have a window into the work that people are doing with their ponies, even if I am not present. Ruth has been putting in hours of gentle work with Prince and achieving great results. Not quite there with the headcollar yet but the foundations are the most important. Ruth has one of those transparent faces which shows her absolute delight with this pony, Prince. 

The soft scarf has been reduced down to a very light rope and amazingly, Prince has let it be placed directly between his ears.

He allows this to be around his nose and to be led from it - once the headcollar is on, the leading work is already half done. Note how she cleverly changes direction away from the hoof that is 'stuck' making it easier for her to follow him. 

He's also prepared to be led naked! Just look at the amount of thinking time he takes before making a concrete decision. Who else gives their horse the time to think like this?

Preparation for the headcollar is still going well and he asks for the headcollar to go over his nose. Whether he will allow it to be pulled over his ears eventually, I am not sure; in an ideal world I'd like to see it unbuckled but Ruth has stripped it down to the absolute basics. 

If anyone can do it, it will be Ruth...   

A final reward at the end of the session.