The Big Move is Tomorrow.

[Dave's Mam]

I actually feel quite comfortable there. I know it's early days, but the staff are helpful, & I was last to leave tonight & another livery came to ask if I was ok & knew where the light switches were to lock up for the night & said they didn't want to abandon me.

I've got my spot in the tack room & am starting to move my stuff in. Feels good so far! Dave is settling into the herd & hopefully I will settle into the Human Herd.

 

[Mule]

It was nice they could put Dave out with the herd so quickly. He looks like the friendly type!

 

[Dave's Mam]

I hope this works. Here he is going out this morning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehnez1xzYPg&feature=share

I can't embed it, click linky.

 

[Mule]

I love his fancy trot so cute and dressage- like

 

[Dave's Mam]

I love his fancy trot so cute and dressage- like

It's cool as. One day, I might find the buttons for that when ridden!

 

[Mule]

I've come to the conclusion that they consider that trot to be strictly for themselves. Humans are only allowed to watch them do it

 

[Dave's Mam]

This morning's antics ended with this. The big chestnut apparently gets quite possessive over newbies & is Nannying Dave.

It's quite sweet, anyone comes too close & he chases them. He did the same tonight & when I left, they were grooming.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I've come to the conclusion that they consider that trot to be strictly for themselves. Humans are only allowed to watch them do it.

Hahahaha! Yes, they must!

 

[Mule]

I have a big chestnut that's a menace. He gets so protective of his herd when a new horse is brought in we can't put them all out together for months. (Chestnut gets very angry if we make the mistake of doing it too early)

 

[Dave's Mam]

This big guy has decided that Dave is to be looked after.

 

[Mule]

Well he is small and cute

 

[Dave's Mam]

Small, cute & feisty with a big trot that I am only allowed to see. *sigh*

I honestly think that the fact he was born free living in a herd can only go in his advantage in this environment. He knows how to read a herd.

 

[Mule]

I didn't know he was born free.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I didn't know he was born free.

Yes, he's moor bred.

 

[Mule]

Do they bring them in to sell them, like the Americans do with mustangs?

 

[Dave's Mam]

In fact his mother managed to give birth to him through or over a fence & he had to be put back with her. Thank **** he was found.

 

[Mule]

Were they brought off the moor together when he was a foal

 

[Dave's Mam]

Do they bring them in to sell them, like the Americans do with mustangs?

Yes, every year in autumn, there is the Gather.
Each herd is brought in, health checked & the foals are separated for weaning. The foals are inspected & registered.

The Gather is a spectacular thing. The herds stagger when they are done so inspectors can be at all.

Here's the Anchor herd coming off Winsford Hill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9mHe-nxhHQ

 

[Dave's Mam]

This is Dave with his mum Frithesden Singing Grass.

 

[Mule]

Aww he was so cute! Look at his little tongue! Are all the foals sold or are some put back on the moor? The video looked like tons of Dave's coming towards me

 

[Dave's Mam]

This is Tippbarlake coming in. Some non Exmoors in there (no comment)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehK_V8FQT9Q

 

[Dave's Mam]

Aww he was so cute! Look at his little tongue! Are all the foals sold or are some put back on the moor? The video looked like tons of Dave's coming towards me

If the colts are up to standard & there is a need for a new stallion, they'll be kept entire. Otherwise, the boys will be gelded & sold to homes to work. Mares might find new homes & many carry quite precious bloodlines, so they'll run out.
Dave didn't quite cut the mustard to be a stallion, he isn't "cool" enough, too reactive to pass on his genes. So he is now an Exmoor Ambassador in my eye.

 

[Mule]

The gathering looks really fun. Are the non- exmoors domesticated horses that have been abandoned on the moors?

 

[Mule]

If the colts are up to standard & there is a need for a new stallion, they'll be kept entire. Otherwise, the boys will be gelded & sold to homes to work. Mares might find new homes & many carry quite precious bloodlines, so they'll run out.
Dave didn't quite cut the mustard to be a stallion, he isn't "cool" enough, too reactive to pass on his genes. So he is now an Exmoor Ambassador in my eye.

Interesting they don't want them reactive. Why is that

 

[Dave's Mam]

I'm going to pm you a thread link.

 

[Mule]

I never think of these things

 

[Dave's Mam]

Interesting they don't want them reactive. Why is that

Dave is very reactive. He craps himself at anything new. He takes time.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

This is Dave with his mum Frithesden Singing Grass.

What a cutie <3

 

[Clodagh]

Dave is gorgeous and OMG his mum! Great videos of the gather, reminded me of Moorland Mousie, I love that book.
Glad the move is going well.

 

[Chinchilla]

Ooh didn't know he was moor bred. So cool.
Also, him and that chestnut, n'awww. Too cute for words! Glad he seems to be settling in