The HorsesWe have a herd of four. Two horses, Jill and Red Alert, and two ponies, Rosie and Muffin. Jill is a Thoroughbred ex-racehorse, and Red is a Traditional Coloured Cob, or Gypsy Cob. Rosie is a Connemara and like many of that breed is very clever. She is the oldest and Alpha Mare of the group and very wise. Muffin is a Welsh pony of unknown ancestry, a bit of a cross between a Section B and C probably.
Here are 3 of our herd of four enjoying the summer grass.
Muffin, the chestnut Welsh pony, was born wild on a mountain in Wales, caught and then beaten to subdue him when he was just 3 years old. He came to us very wary of people and suffering from the after-effects of laminitis. He is now fit and well and has learned to trust us. He seems to have a real affinity with children, coming to them while he will avoid adults.
Jillstarted life in New Zealand as a racehorse. She was imported to the UK around 1996. Subsequently unsuccessful on the racetrack she was bought by a friend of ours as a riding horse. Last year she developed back problems which means it was no longer possible to ride her. She came to live with our horses and while her back heals, and her feet are rehabilitated to barefoot after years of problems due to shoes, she is re-training to be a 'therapy horse'. Jill will teach people to be confident by only doing what she is asked if asked in the right way.
Red is used for riding and driving and, as the picture below shows, a little bit of work keeping the grounds tidy. We think he prefers going in harness to being ridden. At a good 15.2hh he is bigger than a lot of horses of his type. Red is very friendly - a real 'people' horse.
Here is Rosie the Connemara, with my daughter hitching a lift. Forward going and fun with confident riders she takes care of novices and children. In many ways she is a perfect pony.
