This month has been chaotic weather-wise, as you are all aware. This time the updates will be lumped together for no reason other than we have had few visitors and the ponies have spent most of their time in the field. The adoption paddocks have been a morass and completely unsuitable for working and displaying the ponies. They have been out for walks with the volunteers and a Riding Club came to see us for an afternoon.

 

On Friday August 17th we noticed that George’s coat had lost the summer gloss and the outer hair was noticeably thickening. The following Sunday saw the others were beginning to turn as well, so, that to us, is a sign that the dreaded winter is on the way. Winter!!! We haven’t got any hay in yet. They are all looking well and come in to see us when we go up to work around the centre. Golden Flame has become very mellow over the past week and even Starlight has approached us for attention. Charlie, George and Rolo just enjoy relaxing and being groomed.
Frosty is a bit like Charlie and will stand next to you for contact while Blue, although friendly, likes his own space and distance yet is easy to work with. We do not seem able to get the sequence of grooming and them having a roll right; you would think they would roll and then enjoy a good groom. Wrong, we groom then they roll!! Something needs to be changed. Most annoying.

 

Following on from our successful sale we have had Bubbles staying with us. He is, we think Charlie’s brother, and they are like two peas in a pod. Donna, one of our volunteers fell in love with him, bought him and will be taking him home soon. He has the same gentle, trusting nature as Charlie and is incredibly obedient for one so young. He won’t be too far away so we can pop over to see him.

 

The ponies are missing visitors; they love to interact with people and seem to miss not showing off in the paddocks. They did have one very interesting day when a cycle race came through Brimpts. They were all lined up along the paddock fence watching the cyclists. We fully understand why visitor numbers are low. The weather does not help us to promote the Charity and we hope that next year will bring some better weather.