Working pony demo
Posted: Wednesday 15 September, 2010
Steve Reid was in today to discuss arrangements for the working pony demo on 25th September. We still have some places left, if anyone else wants to come along.
Smokey and Bugsy are going to be the demo ponies. I took Smokey out yesterday on long reins. He was just great. He was keen, but was listening and his transitions were very good. He also stood well at the level crossing, where we waited for two trains to pass. Bugsy is a novice but he's a smart wee pony, curious and likes people, so I think he'll enjoy learning something new.
Last night, I was picking poo as dusk fell and watching Bugsy having a good canter around the track, legs going like pistons. He's such a wee character. Until I got him, I couldn't understand why folk had Shetlands (apologies to Shetland people), but now I do. I really hope to get him driving sooner rather than later.
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Jo & Tony Knight
Sunday 19 September, 2010 at 2:18am
We have a pair of utterly gorgeous Shetland Ponies who are broken to drive, either singly or as a pair; & are great for bringing hulking-great felled logs up from our eleven acres of mixed-deciduous ancient woodland (all on a steep north-facing slope).
Our cheeky Chaps (Sabe & Toto) were broken to harness by our great friend & mentor, the wonderful World Champion, famous female Four-in-hand Whip, Karen Bassett; who used to use them as her "letting-off-steam" ponies, finding them an absolute blast whether racing around a cones course; cross-country; or doing challenging, busy roadwork (for all of which they are particularly smart).
Thanks to her expertise & training (of us all!) we occasionally do full-liveried Weddings for friends as the ponies can carry four adults quite happily, with their wonderful smart wee Hartland Carriage - without even breaking into a sweat!
Not to mention these ponies have such exquisitely gentle personalities, when the occasion demands: they are touching teachers as we've especially discovered with Schoolmaster Sabe; if he feels an "up-top" toddler is slipping from the saddle he'll softly pause; tip a leaf-like ear in the appropriate direction whilst quietly propping up the offending shoulder; until we have readjusted said child &/or saddle.
Shetlands are by far the strongest equine when you consider their size-to-weight ratio. Whilst they are appealing, shaggy-coated Thelwell "cuties" they should never be underestimated nor their desire & appetite for work, overlooked: our boys are certainly happiest when flying around a cones course together, the wind in their tails & their nostrils snorting like a pair of fiery pot-bellied dragons.
Diminutive in size yet big in both personality & pulling power: give me a superb sturdy Shetland Pony, any day - they'd take you safely through Hell & back; & relish every wickedly exciting moment.
Their one "down side" (if it can be described as such)is their excellent - nay, astounding - feed-to-weight conversion rate: we have a continually uphill struggle regarding the dreaded laminitis as these chaps were designed to survive harsh winters sucking seaweed from the rocks of the Shetland beaches - so our lush Welsh pastures are a glutton's banquet for our naturally greedy boys.
Strict management plus vigorous exercise, is hence the order of the day: wish I had the time/discipline/will-power to apply same said principles, to my own lifestyle...!
So glad you're a Shetland Pony convert. Honestly; when broken to harness these guys are (as Karen Bassett put it) "the best fun you can have, with your clothes on..." - so have yourself an hilarious Highland Fling!!