Sitting here tapping away with one finger, I can see that Trendlebere Down is covered in snow. The very wet weather over the last few weeks has prevented us from making some of the improvements we wanted and the paddocks have moved on from being wet ground to that of a morass. We will need to bring in a tractor and remove the top, put in drains and then refill.
The ponies are still coming in for their hay but are showing signs that the grass is coming through and they are on the verge of preferring the grass. They are beginning to lose their heavy winter coats and are in good condition.
Golden Flame, Charlie, Boss, Rolo and Annie have all been on walks around the forest tracks with various groups of young people and all are getting stronger and more amenable to commands following their lunging sessions. George is away at Lorna’s farm and is almost back to the George we know and love. He is putting on weight and his coat has improved and he is enjoying showing off his paces to his new friends, even the Llamas. He will be back soon prancing about.
The snowdrops have all gone now and the primroses, Devon’s emblem, are in full flower with the bluebells pushing through in the forest and hedgerows and in the paddocks. I’m smiling now, Oh bother and double bother, it’s started snowing while I wasn’t watching.
No avoiding it- this is the bit I have not been looking forward to writing. When Abba goes up to Bellever, Starlight will go with him; there it’s done.
Starlight has been with the DPHT since we opened the centre in late 2005. During this time she has received continuous schooling and training. Regretfully her temperament has shown that she is not suitable for our educational work. Not every pony is suitable for our very active educational programmes and we must respect Starlight’s lack of enthusiasm. We feel that we are not in a position to give her the solitude that her personality seems to crave.
We have, therefore, taken the decision to remove her from the adoption scheme and to place her on Bellever. She will probably go during the late summer and can live out her days without stress, on the 1000 acres we have there, in complete freedom. We can monitor her condition up there and ensure she has all she needs.
This move has not been taken lightly and we realise how some people may be upset by our decision, but, we must act in Starlight’s best interests. We hope that you will all agree that giving Starlight her freedom to roam that vast area, where she is ideally suited, is the best solution to the situation.
We are acutely aware that Starlight is a very popular adoption pony and will offer adopters a different pony on any further renewal. We will, of course, still give updates in the newsletters as she settles into her new home.