All of our ponies have had what we would call a head cold; they have all recovered except for George. He has gone to a neighbouring farm for one-to-one care from Lorna, a very good friend to our charity. He is being just a bit tardy getting back to his exuberant self, so we are giving him a bit of a kick-start. Little Annie has gone with him, although not an adoption pony she has been living with them for a while now. Annie was weaned in the autumn and with all this wet weather we did not want her condition to fall back without her having mum’s milk. We are looking forward to them coming back very soon.

Recently, Dru and Kerry chose to take Flame through the forest on the Tin Mine Trail for a training session. After a while they were making their way along the pathway when they suddenly realized they were not alone; Charlie, Starlight and Rolo were plodding along behind. (A bit like the quote from the Alexandre Dumas novel The Three Musketeers, One for all, and all for one) It is also the motto of Switzerland which seems very apt considering the ground. No use asking how they had got out, the only choice was to return and put the escapers back into the field. This was done quite easily and the fence was repaired where they had pushed it over. Off again and near to the same spot in the wood, guess what? Yes, you have got it; Charlie was right behind them again, having a wonderful time. Back again, everyone getting tired except Charlie. Tired because this is not flat ground, to some of us it is like the north face of The Eiger. The fence was still up and there were no gaps so we have got to mount observations and try again and then see where he gets out. Who was it that said Charlie was a bit slow on the uptake???

Dru and her volunteers are starting a programme of training for the ponies so that we can take them on The Ten Tors Jubilee Challenge. This is an annual event and we have taken part in it, with ponies, over the last two years and it is designed for mentally and physically handicapped young people. We love working with the groups that come to us and the ponies are always so gentle and careful around the youngsters.