MrsElle
Well-Known Member
We moved the little ponies to their new home today, and I have spent several nights tossing and turning worrying about it.
For anyone else who has to travel their ponies loose for any reason, I can put your minds at rest!
I was worried about getting them all on first of all, but two went on with OH who held them until the the other two loaded. The older mare was being her stubborn old pain in the backside self and refused to load initially, until her 5 month old foal saw the other two go on and after a cursory sniff and paw of the ramp followed them in
The old baggage gave a big 'harumph' and followed her baby in. It must be a record, she loaded in under five minutes!
We had a five hour journey and went up and down some impressive gradients, round many miles of hairpin bends and adverse cambers, and a ten mile section that seemed to have a roundabout every half a mile (but which probably didn't!), and they didn't get sweaty or stressed and on us letting down the ramp they just walked off and started to explore the perimiter of their new home.
I am so pleased and relieved!
Moving the big ones is much less stressful, after all, horses are always tied and stalled and no one gives a second thought to it most of the time, but the build up to moving the littlies was not nice.
I just wanted to reassure others who have may have to travel a horse/pony loose that they do cope very well and for you not to loose sleep over it - it will be fine
And the best thing is that while I can't see the ponies from any of the windows of my cottage, I just have to nip round the other side of the barn, and there they are, just 20 seconds walk away. Bliss
For anyone else who has to travel their ponies loose for any reason, I can put your minds at rest!
I was worried about getting them all on first of all, but two went on with OH who held them until the the other two loaded. The older mare was being her stubborn old pain in the backside self and refused to load initially, until her 5 month old foal saw the other two go on and after a cursory sniff and paw of the ramp followed them in
The old baggage gave a big 'harumph' and followed her baby in. It must be a record, she loaded in under five minutes!We had a five hour journey and went up and down some impressive gradients, round many miles of hairpin bends and adverse cambers, and a ten mile section that seemed to have a roundabout every half a mile (but which probably didn't!), and they didn't get sweaty or stressed and on us letting down the ramp they just walked off and started to explore the perimiter of their new home.
I am so pleased and relieved!
Moving the big ones is much less stressful, after all, horses are always tied and stalled and no one gives a second thought to it most of the time, but the build up to moving the littlies was not nice.
I just wanted to reassure others who have may have to travel a horse/pony loose that they do cope very well and for you not to loose sleep over it - it will be fine
And the best thing is that while I can't see the ponies from any of the windows of my cottage, I just have to nip round the other side of the barn, and there they are, just 20 seconds walk away. Bliss