2nd January 2007 Happy New Year!

Well didn’t we have a wonderful day at our Christmas ‘Meet the Pony’ day.

It was Rolo’s first official public engagement, where he took the crowds by storm.

He was extremely well behaved, and enjoyed all the fuss and love that was showered on him. As we had kept him from his food for at least two hours we put him back in the stable for a light snack.

The Mid Devon Advertiser (MDA) ran a competition in November to name our new foal, Miss Sharna Breslan won a years free adoption for suggesting the name Rolo. The MDA photographer came and took pictures of Sharna and Rolo, Sharna said it was the best Christmas present she could have had.

Golden Flame is now sporting winter woollies and has a decent covering, she isn’t finding the winter too tiresome; infact we think she has got even more cuddly!! She’s dreading January 2007 as we have promised Johnathon our vet that she will be visiting Weight Watchers.

Starlight - what a super pony she is. We are so proud of this beautiful pony. Last year we were in despair, her behaviour was deteriorating and her leg was getting worse. Very often her whole leg would lock up. So we bit the bullet and had her leg operated on, she had minor surgery, but always a risk. We felt that it was our only option left. We made the right decision – as you will see from the photos in the gallery she is now gaining in confidence and actively seeking attention. We can catch her in the field, she will follow us and when on a lead rein she really behaves impeccably, she is soft and gentle. We are now deciding when we should breed from her. During the event, Postman Pat turned up with a special delivery for Starlight from Shannon Hudson of Daventry. The package was opened and to our utter amazement contained two green apples wrapped in bubble wrap, a Christmas Card and a donation. Aren’t our supporters wonderful!!!

George – Oh dear, George will carry anything in his mouth, lead reins, buckets, coats, sticks and has developed a particular fondness for gates and fences. He has now chewed his way through three gates and a manger. When George was gelded late last year, his behaviour was very fiery and boisterous. However, since his op he has calmed right down and returned to the old dependable George we all know and love. He really enjoyed the open day and almost pulled my arm off when a very kind lady (Mrs Pearce) turned up with Christmas stockings stuffed full of healthy goodies. (these goodies were fairly shared out the following day, chopped up and fed from a bucket – as we do not allow hand feeding).

Charlie – Or as Andy T now refers to him as Master Charles, not that he has favourites! Charlie behaved as a perfect gentleman, he was the only pony tied to a post and left without a handler. That is how much we have come to trust him, our boy is growing and has now hit 12hh. He takes everything in his stride, everyone adored him, he just revelled in the glory. We have found a weakness – he doesn’t like MUD! He refuses to place his hooves in mud and has us all coaxing him through the rather wet paddocks.

Thank you to everyone who made the effort to attend on the 28th Dec, it was a delight to see so many of you, both the two and four legged folk at the centre enjoyed your company. We look forward to seeing you all again during February half term. (Date to be fixed).

Officer Dru