Cambridge University Pony

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Crystalbank_stud

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I collected a Dartmoor pony today which I've agreed to take on due to someone's pregnancy.

Anyway, this little mare is scared, and I mean scared. She shakes violently when you try and get near her and runs for her life if she gets chance.

The girl I've had her off has only had her since December this year so doesn't know much about her. I've done some research and this little pony was owned by Cambridge University in 2007.

Does anyone know what actually happens there please? PM's are welcomed if needs be. I have to find out why she has such a HUGE fear. Was it the fact the top of her ears have been cut off or something else.

Any info gratefully received.
 
dont know, but you could try the University Vet school on Madingley road - send them a photo, they may be able to help.
 
I intend to get in touch with them, but my post is really to find out if anyone else knows what goes on there, or even if someone else out there has a horse or pony that was owned by the experimental unit.
 
poor girlie. I can only suggest using lots of horse treats to gain her confidence until she realises your not going to hurt her in any way.
 
I really can honestly say I've seen nothing so scared! She's all tucked up at a friends yard and we've agreed on giving her a couple of days to settle and then increase our visits into the stable.
 
If your into it, I would try to get the pony along to the next monty roberts tour, or at least contact Kelly Marks as she may have had a similar case in to retrain.
 
Don't know if this is any use but I have experience of horses at another vet university. There the uni owned horses were used for vet student handling practise - which as far as I'm aware inovolves general handling, tacking up, possibly a rectal exam in some cases, not sure if they look in their mouths etc too. They were also used for anatomy demos so just standing still to look at external anatomy.

The main experimental work that went on at the uni I was at was locomotion based so treadmill runnning which the horses all seemed to adapt to really well. Another equine research centre I've been to was using ultrasound to study the heart, which again, is non-invasive. At the uni I was at most of hte horses were TB types used in research, there were a couple of ponies but as far as I know they were just used for handling demos etc. I'm surprised that your pony is so nervous as for both experimental work and especially for vet student teaching I would expect them to have quiet well behaved, easy to handle horses as many of the students have not done much with horses before. Also at the uni I was at the staff who cared for the horses were great and all of the horses were well cared for, the staff got really attached to them.

It's very sad your pony is so scared, hopfully you will be able to gain her trust. Like I said this is experience of another vet school not Cambridge so I have no idea what specific research goes on there.

Good Luck
 
I believe quite a few of the "Dartmoor Hill" ponies have tags put in their ears. Like cow tags. If these get caught in something they can rip the ears as they pull away. If your pony is missing her ear tops then I'm guessing that is the probable reason.

I think a lot of patience and kindness is called for. Good luck.
 
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