Shy Lowen December Update

[bernadette]

Well December was manic, absolutely and totally manic. We had our Open Day on 5th December which was the same day as the auction of the Carneddau Welsh Ponies in Conway. We were ready to take 6 if there were any unsold. In the event there were around 60 unsold and, after a diffult weekend when it seemed they would all lose their lives, an opportunity came which allowed the potential for them to be reprieved. It was clear that there were not going to be sufficient places for them quickly enough so we started an appeal which was launched by South West Animal Protection and reached a massive audience who, in turn, created a snowball effect. Result was all the ponies were saved although I'm a bit old to be taking calls from 4am to midnight for the ten days that the mania lasted
There are two of the Carneddau ponies homed with IHDG members and you can see some pics on the Personal charities board on the thread about 30 welshies.
There has been massive interest in the situation but I am wary of some of the 'solutions' muted for the future. I'd like to see a situation which brings good for everybody involved - the ponies, the people, the environment, British culture and history. We've got some ideas about how these ponies can fit into the modern human world which we're running by the 'powers that be' so hopefully there'll be win-win resolution.
Then the snow came. We have horses and ponies living out as a herd, mixed sex all shapes and sizes. They took up residence in a small area of the field and every day we took them haylage in those big sacks that ton sand/ stone chippings etc get delivered by Hyab in. We don't have any machinery so it was all done by sheer man, woman and child power. The sacks have four loops, one on each corner so we dragged them over the snow and ice by pulling them with these loops.
The horses who are stabled owing to health issues all had to stay in but the stables are 6 metres square so they didn't struggle too much. December brought the shortest daylight hours and we all celebrated that we are on the slope to Spring and longer days after 21st.
Our young people had their Christmas party and lots of fun was had by all. Sorry that the update is only just done when it's nearly time for the January one - time waits for no-one lol

[mandal]

You've had such a busy and difficult time I'm pleased you found time to do an update for December at all!! Thankyou.

[Lorraine L]

As Mandal says, thanks so much for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to update us on the work at Shy Lowen Bernedette. I hope that the weather continues to try to make the situation a little easier. I love the description of what your helpers and volunteers did to move those bags ........ bless them. x

[Catrin]

While you are busy working hard for the ponies, I'm sitting here thinking I must do something for you - instead of doing it, so now I have. I've pm'd you.