The report this month is somewhat muted owing to the weather, which, as you know, has been atrocious. The paddocks have been converted into liquid mire and as such we have been trying to keep the ponies out in their fields. We hope that this will not prevent you from coming to see them.

 

Golden Flame has come into her summer coat and, as usual, looks stunning. She has assumed overall command of the herd and is shown the respect she deserves. She still has a few pounds to lose and an increased exercise regime should put that right.

 

Blue has got second spot in seniority, showing deference to Golden Flame, while enjoying his position above the others. He has settled well and when in work is very obedient and is completely safe with children. He does enjoy eating leaves from the trees and will stand and stare at them, with raised head, until I pull a branch down for him. Not too many at one time I may add.

 

Frosty is not as his name suggests, he is very gentle and like Charlie and Rolo he loves attention. He is usually to be found with Blue, having come from the same farm. He works well and is developing into a super pack-pony.

 

George had a problem with Blue when he first arrived, a man thing over dominance. The two had one or two spats but all is now settled and age, experience and greater weight overcame the juvenile and George now accepts he is not at the top now. He has his brand new summer coat and even in the poor visibility and rain he looks magnificent.

 

Charlie has not changed other than an occasional attempt to dominate the person leading him on walks. He will use his weight to advantage but is easily corrected and he would much prefer to comply. He does not to do awkward or contrary, we think that he just does not understand what we want. This is a problem we must address as he can be quite slow on the uptake. Having said that he is completely trustworthy and will do anything just to stand next to you or follow you around the paddocks.

 

Rolo has been in the wars this last week. Starlight came into season and forced her way out of the paddock to visit a stallion up the lane. Ever trusting Rolo followed her. There was thick fog, which did not help and when foals came to the wall to see him; he popped over the wall to play. Wrong move, he could not get back out because of the lower level and the stallion did not like Rolo being there. Fortunately Andy Bradford was there quickly and got Rolo out before he was seriously hurt. Rolo had a bruised bottom but has learned a lesson. He is milking the attention and I am sure he winks to the others when we arrive, saying “watch this”.

 

Starlight, oh Starlight, we feel she will be more happy and relaxed and of more use to us in a controlled breeding programme. She has more affinity to the wild herd than to being with human company which is holding the others back. She will eventually accept attention but is not on the same scale, as say, Charlie. She is a very pretty young mare and her conformation is good and, in theory, if paired to a good stallion should produce a lovely Heritage foal. We are obliged to give her what is best for her and perhaps a high level of training is not her best route. We would dearly love to keep her in our herd and we admire her spirit, but, her welfare must come first and seeing her struggle not to be wild is not helping our emotions either. She would still retain her adoptions and we would update you regularly but we would not take additional adoptions out for her. The foal would be a different matter and he or she, all things being equal, would become an adoption pony. We are plucking up the courage to make the decision and know that some of you will be upset but we must make the right choice for her, not us. We will, of course take veterinary advice before the final gate opening takes place; probably over the coming winter. We feel her name says it all; she epitomises freedom, wildness and all that Dartmoor and the Trust represents.

 

You can help us with this decision, email us your opinion. Tell us what you think, we can take criticism as well as plaudits so get tapping and have your say.