The ponies have had a busy month since our last notes. Golden Flame and Rolo went to Mole Valley Farmers Ltd. 20th Birthday celebration event at their Heathfield outlet. A superb day out for the charity and once again superbly organised by the staff at Mole Valley Farmers Ltd. We included the initial handling of two foals which had been brought off the moor a few days before and weaned from their mothers. To some this will seem like very tough love but to secure them a viable future and to make them saleable, the training is necessary; and is done in a manner that ensures that the welfare of the foals is paramount.

We also have two foals in temporary residence with the hooligans at Brimpts. Officer Dru has named them Bessie and Annie. They have both had level one certificate training, which are the five basic skills. Both are adorable and are very gentle and love to put their heads in the crook of your arm. The others, Golden Flame, Starlight, George, Charlie, Blue, Frosty and Rolo think they are super, except when extra food is offered; then they learn their position in the pecking order – the bottom. Don’t worry they are well catered for.

We have had several school visits this month including one from a school who teach blind and disabled children. This was a very humbling experience and the ponies behaved magnificently. They seemed to understand the children’s problems and allowed all sorts of handling that they have not experienced before and the children were delighted. The tolerance and versatility of these, one of our oldest native pony types, never fails to amaze us.

All the ponies are in excellent condition to go into the winter and are becoming, as Dru says, like teddy bears; such is the growth in their coats. They still stand and stare at their favourite tree waiting for a mouthful of leaves, not realising it has had the audacity to shed them.

We have a tail chewer in the camp. Charlie, George and Blue have all had chunks of their tails removed. This is most annoying because they all had lovely long tails. We give them minerals and they have free access to licks so we are not amused. We will need to keep observations to identify the culprit. A certain name keeps popping up but cannot be proven, yet!

Before our next update we will have Bonfire Night. Please remember the animals; be they canine, bovine, feline or equine, they do not appreciate fireworks.