Our ponies like Spring rain

A damp summer evening is pony heaven.  The rain makes the grass green and juicy and all the ponies have their heads down and are munching away.     This is Earl, last year’s foal and still a cheeky little fella – he’s independent and full of himself.   Earl likes to boss the older ones around and pretend he’s Mr. Big, until they get fed up and tell him off!   His mum, Little Dorritt still adores him and gets in a fret if he goes out of sight.   Foals are so often taken from their mothers at six months old – we think it’s much too soon.   Our ponies have bonds that last a lifetime – mothers and sons, mothers and daughters, they are still affectionate when they’re old stagers.    Earl still has a bit of his baby coat left around his middle.

We go to check on the ponies several times a day.  They like to see us although finding them is sometimes difficult.   This is Daydream who was having a a bit of a feast in the orchard last night.  She is one of the sweetest ponies here and is bonded with her Mum.   These two are inseparable, they’ve been together since birth, so I knew Ruby wouldn’t be far away.   The ponies seek out grass that is fresh and hasn’t been grazed for a while.  It’s so green and lovely right now I can see why they like it so much.  

Here’s Ruby, she’s found some good grass too.   If only human digestions were able to utilize grass, wouldn’t that solve a lot of food shortages.   It’s pretty amazing that horses do so well with their diet – they’re vegetarians and dislike even the smell of meat.   Yet, they have such strength and energy.   Horses are the proof that you don’t need meat for strength.   Pass the salad bowl please!   Our ponies have varied land to graze on and can roam pretty much where they like, so they can find herbs and shade and shelter and play areas.   You didn’t know that horses like to play?   

This is Danniboy who was emaciated when he first came in to the sanctuary.   That’s a good few years ago now and he’s never looked back.   Danni is the least playful of the ponies;   the others run and play ‘chase-me’ games and hide and scamper round.   When one of them starts having a ‘purple patch’ they all usually join in.   Danniboy is more sedate, I think he had such a hard life previously that he’s never quite got the hang of playtime.   Krystal doesn’t play any more either, but that’s since she was hurt.   She used to be a real Dizzy Lizzy, now she is afraid that someone will creep up on her and frighten her.   I always call out her name when I am round the ponies so that she knows it’s me and is reassured.

Krystal likes light rain, she hates downpours though and wouldn’t be out if it was pouring down.    She has always been ‘nesh’ and a real little lady.  Krystal is a pure bred Welsh pony but wouldn’t last a day out on the mountains in rough weather.   It goes to show that when humans start breeding animals to their choice – pedigrees – the hardiness of the type can be lost.   Welsh ponies are supposed to be toughies.   Krystal, despite all her health problems, is fine coated and a bit of a wimp.    Is that a rain cloud?   Where’s my stable?   Let me in, pleeeze!   

Some of the cats come out to check on the ponies and will walk a long way up the fields with me before they decide to shelter under the hedge and wait for me to come back.   Ponies and cats get on very well together and can develop strong bonds.    One of our cats, a big tabby called Sparky, has always been very friendly with Danniboy and likes to sit on his back when he lies down.     Cats are useful to horses in the stables because they keep rats and mice away.   Rodents bite them when they’re asleep and that’s why you hear horses kicking in the stable.