Post by John Jones on Mar 31, 2010 18:17:32 GMT 1
This year so far…
2010 started sadly with the loss of a big part of the Black Hill Horse Training Team Shirley the sheepdog, she died on new years day and left a very big hole that all you animal lovers will understand. (Even though she was old and had a wonderful life it never seems to get easier if only they could live as longer)
Anyone who has come to the farm will remember Shirley she always greeted everyone both owners and their horses and was very gentle. She turned up as a stray very timid and scared and became a very confident dog who helped with the daily work looking after the horses. You will be missed Shirley.
In January I was called out to the RPSCA centre in Shropshire Gonsal Farm, to help with two untouched remedial ponies and teach the RSPCA Equine staff techniques to help them with rehabilitating the constant flow of horses they have in need of help, both physically and mentally. Daisy and I had a great day everyone was very friendly and interested in learning. I worked with a colt that would buck and kick at you and an extremely nervous mare. In the RSPCA waiting room there were photos of the cases they work with and the difference in the before and after pictures was amazing. Bitter sweet as these horses, ponies, foals, dogs and cats should never have to go through such suffering. After working with both ponies it was clear that they needed a lot of consistent work over a longer time so I gave the girls things to work on and suggested they bring the ponies on the IH handling the Untouched Horse Course which was in March.
By the time the Untouched Horse Course arrived the colt had improved so much, with Amber one of the staff continuing the work brilliantly he didn’t need to come to Hartsop. The nervous mare had found a loan home with IH student Vanessa Yeates who is continuing her rehabilitation. But there are lots more horses at Gonsal Farm that need help trusting humans again. So the RSPCA staff brought another nervous grey mare Snowy who shook with fear to Hartsop Farm, for the IH students to work with. Once again the Handling the Untouched Horse Courses went well with a wide range of untouched and traumatised horses to work with. It was great to catch up with Ian and Rosie too. Some of the RSPCA staff are doing more IH courses, which is really encouraging, as the type of horses they work with IH principles will really help with their progress.
We have been busy at Old Shawls with horses in training and visits.
I have just come back from France and had a fantastic time doing Horsemanship Clinics for adults and Children. I really enjoyed my time there; lots of likeminded people wanting to do the best for their horses they made me feel very welcome. Thank you Susannah Pook yet again for arranging it all.
So all in all a busy year so far…
For recent photos you can visit my facebook account (I am not accomplished enough to put them on here)
The daffodils are coming out and as I type it is snowing!
Have a Fantastic 2010 everyone
I look forward to updating you soon
Happy Trails
John
www.horselistener.co.uk
2010 started sadly with the loss of a big part of the Black Hill Horse Training Team Shirley the sheepdog, she died on new years day and left a very big hole that all you animal lovers will understand. (Even though she was old and had a wonderful life it never seems to get easier if only they could live as longer)
Anyone who has come to the farm will remember Shirley she always greeted everyone both owners and their horses and was very gentle. She turned up as a stray very timid and scared and became a very confident dog who helped with the daily work looking after the horses. You will be missed Shirley.
In January I was called out to the RPSCA centre in Shropshire Gonsal Farm, to help with two untouched remedial ponies and teach the RSPCA Equine staff techniques to help them with rehabilitating the constant flow of horses they have in need of help, both physically and mentally. Daisy and I had a great day everyone was very friendly and interested in learning. I worked with a colt that would buck and kick at you and an extremely nervous mare. In the RSPCA waiting room there were photos of the cases they work with and the difference in the before and after pictures was amazing. Bitter sweet as these horses, ponies, foals, dogs and cats should never have to go through such suffering. After working with both ponies it was clear that they needed a lot of consistent work over a longer time so I gave the girls things to work on and suggested they bring the ponies on the IH handling the Untouched Horse Course which was in March.
By the time the Untouched Horse Course arrived the colt had improved so much, with Amber one of the staff continuing the work brilliantly he didn’t need to come to Hartsop. The nervous mare had found a loan home with IH student Vanessa Yeates who is continuing her rehabilitation. But there are lots more horses at Gonsal Farm that need help trusting humans again. So the RSPCA staff brought another nervous grey mare Snowy who shook with fear to Hartsop Farm, for the IH students to work with. Once again the Handling the Untouched Horse Courses went well with a wide range of untouched and traumatised horses to work with. It was great to catch up with Ian and Rosie too. Some of the RSPCA staff are doing more IH courses, which is really encouraging, as the type of horses they work with IH principles will really help with their progress.
We have been busy at Old Shawls with horses in training and visits.
I have just come back from France and had a fantastic time doing Horsemanship Clinics for adults and Children. I really enjoyed my time there; lots of likeminded people wanting to do the best for their horses they made me feel very welcome. Thank you Susannah Pook yet again for arranging it all.
So all in all a busy year so far…
For recent photos you can visit my facebook account (I am not accomplished enough to put them on here)
The daffodils are coming out and as I type it is snowing!
Have a Fantastic 2010 everyone
I look forward to updating you soon
Happy Trails
John
www.horselistener.co.uk