Monty Robert’s father trained horses. He would buy youngsters cheap and then he would break them in. Not by creating a partnership with them but by forcing them. He used a process called “sacking out” which was done by tying the horse up and beating them into submission. They would then serve him but not out of willingness but out of fear.

As a young child Monty rode a pony called Brownie and he roped cattle and did lots of riding stunts and won many competitions.

Monty spent his whole life working with horses and at the age of thirteen or fourteen he went to watch the wild Mustangs and observed how they behaved and then used “join up” to create a real willing partnership.

He showed his father his work who was unimpressed. In fact, he was so angry that his son did not follow his training methods, that he beat him very hard.

But Monty stayed determined and now he travels around the world and has been the winner of nine world championships.
In February and March 2010 he is doing displays and showing and explaining how to create a strong partnership with your horse on the ground and under the saddle. His display is perfect for anyone who dreams for competition success or just a happy between them and their horse.

On Sunday 7th of February Monty is doing a display at Southview EC, Wettenhall, Cheshire, CW7 4DL
Sunday 14th of February he is at Hadlow College, Hadlow, Kent, TN11 OAL
Friday 19th of February he will be at The Hand EC, Clevedon, Somerset, BS21 6TG
Friday 5th of March, The College EC, Keysoe, Bedfordshire, MK44 2JP
Tickets are on sale either by ringing 01488 71300 or going to http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/

HORSE LOGGING
In the early sixties, horses were used for logging timber in the British forests. But in the late sixties, using machines, came into fashion and there were no more horses logging. In the nineties, people began using horse logging more when they realized all the horse breeds that were used as loggers are mostly all critically in danger of extinction. There are many way that horse power is better than machinery for one as they pollute less and because horses don’t make the ground as compact as they drag logs through the trees. Horses create much less damage to flora and fauna (plants and flowers).

There are many horse breeds used for logging including Percheron, large heavy cob, Suffolk punch, Shire, Clydesdale, Dales, Belgian. Ardennais, Brabant and Highland.

Native horse that were used for logging, have over the last decade been bred for the show ring and have therefore been bred too large to manoeuvre through the threes.

In Scotland at the world horse welfare centre there happens to be the largest shire horse in Britain who is twenty and half hands (one hand equals four inches). All the other breeds have the same problem except Highland and Dales. Being a suitable size Dales are used a lot for logging.

A horse can pull one and half time their own weight and perfectly capable of dragging two tonnes. Rather than breast colours in carriage driving for logging people use a collar that allows the horse to pull more efficiently.

Most horse work six hours a day and this six hours are divided into three hour slots, with a two hour break in between.

There is lots of work for loggers in the forest but not many qualified loggers (both equine and human)to do the work.

My mother, my friend and I went to Bromyard Equestrian Centre to see the Introduction to carriage driving event.

First we saw all the horses and the various different carriages.

There was Mandy Reddock with Just Jasper, a thoroughbred in an exercise vehicle turned out for a rally,

Jane Friend with Rosie, a grey Dartmoor pony with a Bennington exercise vehicle with a carriage dog (Dalmatians have traditionally been used as carriage dogs to guard the vehicles).

Neville Jones with Conygar Caradod, a palomino, drove a traditional style modern vehicle made by Jacks of Hay and was turned out for a private driving showing class.

Nick Jones was there with four-year-old Brinkley Buzz, a piebald cob in a Bennington fun bug turned out for disabled exercise vehicle class.

Roy Moore was supposed to come with two Friesian geldings but could not, so as a replacement there was Julie Wedgebury with four Shetlands, two greys, a black and a chestnut.

After we had been introduced to all the turn-outs we were allowed to come down into the arena and have rides. I got on the carriage of Just Jasper and on the Shetlands, which was scary because it felt like I would fall off just standing on the back step with only a bar to hold on to.

Just Jaspers carriage was better but as I sat on the seat I could not get my feet on the board.

Then we were shown how to harness and put the horse to the cart and then there was a cone demonstration.

We were again allowed to hitch rides round the cones and I got onto the Shetlands carriage. The Shetlands went zooming through the cones so fast and sharp that I almost fell off the carriage. We went through the first obstacle of the course two cones set apart just wide enough to let the carriage through then another obstacle like the first at a different angle then another and then through four weaves set at a distance just wide enough to weave tightly and then through the finish and everyone cheered.

Then the commentator said that with carriage driving you also got dressage where the ponies show off their paces and turn circles like turning on the forehand only with a carriage. The cones are like showjumping. If you knock a cone and the ball falls off you lose points like if you knock a pole like in showjumping. The cross country is driving round obstacles and through water while being timed.

Altogether it was a fun day and I recommend that if you like carriage driving you should go to such an event.

In winter it is important to make sure your pony has sufficient shelter and a dry field otherwise they can suffer from a condition called mud fever. Mud fever is an infection of the skin around the heels, pastern and fetlock. It is caused by a bacteria called Dermatophilus Congolensis which enters through the skin. When the skin is wet or muddy it is easier for the bacteria to penetrate.

All horses and ponies can get mud fever but those that suffer from it are mostly those that stand in wet and/or muddy conditions.

However some ponies such as those with white feet are more susceptible to mud fever than others.

The symptoms include reddened skin around the pastern, scratching the legs constantly, Oozing or weeping skin around the pastern and small scabs around the heels.

When its really bad with oozing skin the attention of a vet is necessary.

If you suspect your pony has mud fever it is important to provide somewhere dry to for the pony to stand as long as possible. Wash your ponies legs with antibacterial shampoo and let them dry. If the legs are weeping wash with an antibacterial solution and if the wounds are dry apply a grease-based ointment

In very acute cases your Vet might prescribe antibiotics.

You can also feed a good supplement to strengthen your ponies immune system so he/she will recover quicker.

Pony Galaxy Welcomes You

Thank you for visiting my pony website, I am Eni, an 12 year old pony enthusiast. I hope to share information and tips about ponies and pony care with other pony loving children out there. I welcome comments on my articles, I would also be pleased to have your contributions to my site especially pictures and little stories about your pony.