21st January 2006: Latest News

Golden Flame is moving from the original herd on the farm to join the three other adoption ponies and Boss (see the Pack Pony Project. Worked with them all again today, they are coming along really well. They have all enjoyed the sunshine, Charlie lay down and sun-bathed!!! I caught Starlight for the first time in the middle of the field, big step forward in her confidence and my ability - we are learning together.

20th January 2006: More Training

George, Starlight and Charlie (three of the adoption ponies) have been enjoying their lessons and can all be caught in the field. They all behave very well on a lead rope too.

We are introducing them to lots of new things: wheelie bins, cars, tractors, barking dogs, black bags and strange noises. This is so that they can get used to most things that they will come across at the farm - this is wonderful training for them.

On Wednesday 18th January, Dru and Arran spent a morning working with the ponies. They weren't sure how the ponies would be and whether they would be able to catch them in such a large field. (After the Meet The Pony Day we decided they would be happier back outside and not kept in). Charlie was a dream to catch, he came straight up to us stuck his head in the halter and waited to be patted and loved. George and Starlight took longer, but our helper used all her skills, she uses a method where she heads the ponies exit off so that they end up following her. I'm not sure of the correct name, but I call it facing off. After doing this for a while she moves closer and closer until they face her and then takes a step back. This process is repeated until she is touching their head. Slowly she puts the lead rope around each pony's neck and then eventually the halter. We must remember that these are young ponies and were totally wild up until a few weeks ago. Once George and Starlight have their halters on they also behave very affectionately. Starlight is always very aware and may jump at sudden movements. George is the best behaved on walks, as Charlie sometimes throws in a buck or two and just gets that naughty boy feeling and plays around. As long as we are kind but firm with him he is very good. He just needs to learn what he can and can't do.