The best way to start the day, a greeting from Beautiful Bodhi, Mouse and Ari in the background.
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Bodhi says thank you to all the Beautiful People who help take care of him and the others!
Especially Lamorna, Noomi and Levi, and the friends they bring too sometimes.
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The Trio have had lots of exposure to many things that will help them in preparing for the world out there! Dogs, children, adults, bikes, flapping tarpaulin, chickens, cars, vans, dumpy bags, cats, campers and much more too!
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And to all who've supported and donated and all sorts else, a massive thank you π π
#tinytrio #ecotherapyinpractice #dartmoorhillpony #ponies #thankyouforyoursupport #volunteersmakeadifference #equinelife #communityproject #pendeen
Weather extremes! Yesterday was summery and today, not so much! πππ
Famous Five now grazing top fields so the lower ones get a good rest before winter.
Routine Job Stuff...
Ragwort Picking and Burning:
I've picked and burnt so much this year, and it continues!
From the approx 10 acres I've removed around 20 + feed bags full. Of course that includes the hedges, gateways and adjoining areas too.
Also Black Nightshade seems to be popping up too, so it's a constant job to examine grazing spaces for such plants and remove. I'm not overly concerned as the ponies seem to avoid it anyway but I don't want it seeding and spreading further really.
Poo picking of course continues daily, I spend between 1.5 - 3 hours per day on poo picking depending on how thorough I'm being.
We're lucky to have wonderful volunteers to help with poo picking for the Tiny Trio.
Lamorna, Noomi & Levi, help Monday to Fridays, and Jaak & Jacob on Wednesdays!
Tiny Trio Care Crew πππ
#volunteersmakeadifference
#volunteersrock
This has also helped the Trio to develop confidence and curiosity around us humans, as poo picking is a great way to be with them without expectations or pressure.
#ecotherapyinpractice #dartmoorhillpony #ponies #poniesponiesponies #rescueponies #notforprofit #communityproject #summervibes #cornwallcoast
Runa was most curious about my phone and flappy hood today.."What is it Tyr π€ looks suspicious to me, be a brave lad and see what it is, I'll supervise closely." Of course Tyr is happy to oblige, anything for his hero Runa! " you are so strong and wise Runa, and I am just a baby, I want to grow up to be just like you" ππ€£ππ€£...in actual fact Tyr is very brave and confident, and Runa likes having such a eager sidekick! π π
Mizzle, fog, wind, such glorious summer days!
#dartmoorhillpony #poniesponiesponies #cornwalllife #ecotherapyinpractice #equinecoregulation #funnyponies
Mum! Runa's bothering me! π
The 3 Amigos will still run to me for protection from Runa if he's getting a bit much for them and they want to catch their breath and chill for a moment.
Like baby of the bunch Tyr, he's now 2 years old, our only Greenwell herd Dartmoor Hill Pony, and he's such a handsome little man too π
#poniesponiesponies #dartmoorhillpony
Runa has come so far! πππ
It's a long video but I wanted to share the comfort and relaxation we've developed, and how calm he can be.
I'm able to pick out all his hooves now, and even gave him his first ever hoof trim in 12 years! Just working away steadily together. He's so very gentle with me and communicates clearly, he's comfortable with touch all over and with me leaning on him and applying pressure.
He's realised I'm very useful at keeping the flies away temporarily! πππ I have my uses!! π€π€π€
I'm over the moon with Runa and love the relationship we're developing. He's a beautiful rogue, and very special indeedπππ
Loki Goof and his loving therapy!
Loki is always happy to share a cuddle and during the dry days would often become my sofa in the field! π
There's something very special about lying with the ponies as they sleep and rest, the sound of their breath, the feel of Lokis warmth, the sweet pony smell that instantly soothes and relaxes, and such a privilege that they feel comfortable enough to let me join them, to sleep as a herd, as a little wild family π
#ecotherapyinpractice #dartmoorhillpony #mentalhealth #poniesponiesponies #shareyourstory #traumarecovery
When Winston met the Famous Five π€ a bit bigger than the Tiny Trio hey Winston!
Back in May I had the pleasure of Winstons company so he was put to use helping desensitise the ponies to dogs, especially Runa and Frodo. Thanks Winston πππππ
After my earlier post about my mental health stuff I was contacted by a lady who also has struggles, thanking me for sharing and expressing her experience of life. This made me very happy, as I always feel its a bit self indulgent and self centred to share such details but I'm beginning to see that it is perhaps positive, to help others feel less alone, to provide a platform for connecting with kindred spirits who know what its like, in that way we help each other. ππ I appreciate all who share their experiences and identify with the difficulties faced, and all the wonderful care and concern.
The thing with my mania is that to begin with it feels quite useful, it's seductive so feel so full of energy and able to do, do, do...until it spirals out of control and exhausts me, or breaks me. I often injure myself in manic periods as I'm unaware of how my body really feels and constantly ask more of it.
In May I was preparing to move the chickens, sounds simple but involved so much work to dismantle and set up elsewhere, then I was clearing up the Croft to leave asap, taking care of all 8 ponies and doing halter training, whilst moving and setting up home, and getting about 3-4 hours sleep..with Addisons Disease also further complicating matters..a perfect storm was brewing and I was in manic denial and dissociation..ignorance is bliss until it blows up in your face to make you pay attention!πππ₯Ή
#psychosisawareness #traumarecovery #MentalHealth #ecotherapyinpractice #complextrauma #complexptsd #psychosis #manicdepressive #poniesponiesponies #dartmoorhillpony #PeerSupport
Catch up posts..back in May, Frodo still a bit fluffy but growing in confidence.
He's formed a real bond with Loki which is very sweet, they seem to enjoy just hanging out together and even share a food bowl. Frodo always makes sure Loki is OK and Loki seems to like the special attention π
Fearful Frodo is slowly and gently turning into Friendly Frodo...who I always knew he was. ππ
#rescueponies #dartmoorhillpony #poniesponiesponies
Charlie was my companion and best friend for 15 years. It was because of Charlie that I ended up getting Loki and Odin to help manage land. He was older and not so energetic so I wanted something to keep me busy, and for Charlie to be around just chilling out. Sadly Charlie passed away two weeks after getting Loki and Odin, perhaps he knew I was in safe hands/hooves ππ
This will be the first time in nearly 18 years that I've moved without Charlie, he arrived with me here and remains at rest here, the place of our final adventure, what an adventure its been. π€ππππ
I'm quite nostalgic, sentimental and emotional today, but all good, except for an annoying headache! Just feelings processing and passing through as I let go and welcome what's next π€π€π€π
Little snippet from time with Mouse last week.
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He wasn't really feeling it on this day, I could tell he was being polite but really wanted to get back to grazing asap π
Mouse is doing great, happy for me to touch and apply pressure to his face and neck, less flighty about hands over his ears and mane.
I am now able to get the halter on and off without doing it up, he's most relaxed in the evenings and makes best progress then. I just go with the flow and if he seems interested and relaxed I'll spend time working on stuff with him, and the others, as they each show interest too.
Mouse has enjoyed a thorough groom and defluff with the stripping brush, and is getting more relaxed about touch and contact on his body and rear.
Very proud of him!! ππππππππππππππ
#tinytrio #poniesponiesponies #dartmoorhillpony #rescueponies #communityproject #equinelife #equinetraining
Just spoke to the vets to get the castration date booked in and was told they now like for castrations to be paid for in advance ( I was hoping we'd have time to pay/payment plan)
Funds we had allocated for castrations had to be used elsewhere due to the extreme winter and weather conditions, and as we were unable to secure other grants to help over winter its been a struggle.
Noomi and Levi set up the Go Fund Me page and have raised just over Β£600 so far, which is incredible! But, I'm expecting the quote for 3 standing castrations to be higher than this, so we really need to raise as much as possible, as soon as possible!
Our provisional date for castrations is the 20th May!
I'm working hard to prepare the Trio for handling and contact, to allow them to be sedated without stress.
They need to be castrated asap really as they're quite frisky boys at times!
If you can help us to give the Tiny Trio the best start in life by getting them castrated early, and working on positive behaviour everyday, we'd be very grateful.
Please see the Go Fund Me page on pinned posts. I will update with the castration procedure cost once I receive the quote.
#communityproject #dartmoorhillpony #poniesponiesponies #equinelife #rescueponies #vetscosts #tinytrio
Loki enjoying a goofy scratchy time..π€ͺπ΄π
So happy with Frodo πππ€
It may not look like much, but Frodo generally avoids coming close, he's fearful around being caught/touch.
For Frodo to stay with me like this and come forward for contact and interaction is just lovely, warms my heart β€οΈ
Little by little the trust is building and hopefully his fear is starting to ease..ππ
Brave Frodo with his beautiful eyes.π
#poniesponiesponies #rescueponies #dartmoorhillpony #communityproject #GratefulHeart
Off with the winter fluff!
Odin has been enjoying more 1:1 time with me since I separated him from Loki for a while. He's much more eager to do stuff together, previously he was a bit indifferent but now thoroughly enjoys it.
Looking forward to doing things with Odin this year, he's an old soul with a beautiful character, love to see him happy and relaxed. π
The jackdaws are loving all the pony hair fluff, I caught some on Tyrs back the other day, plucking away at his winter coat, Tyr seemed to enjoy it π¦ββ¬π¦ββ¬π¦ββ¬π¦ββ¬ π¦ββ¬ π¦ββ¬π¦ββ¬π¦ββ¬
A video to remind us that it does stop raining π§ π π π³ πππ
Loki and Runa playing in the sunshine, when we thought spring was thriving and things looked up. .today its very soggy and miserable looking ponies, the Famous Five say bring back the sunshine π please...π
#rainingagain #poniesponiesponies #notforprofit #dartmoorhillpony #rescueponies #communityproject
Runa & Loki happy to be together again. Enjoying some play and chase, feeling frisky and fresh!
#dartmoorhillpony #poniesponiesponies #notforprofit #communityproject
Famous Five reunited after 2 weeks in separate herds..they've enjoyed a race about and seem like very happy chaps! π
#notforprofit #communityproject #dartmoorhillpony #poniesponiesponies
It's only a couple of weeks now until I stop living with the Famous Five and become a civilised, house dwelling person again! π¬π€ππ₯Ήπ€
The closer it gets the more anticipation, anxiety, excitement and fear creep in. Its been such an incredible three years of healing, discovery, challenges and joy. I will miss this life but I'm so grateful to have had this experience and journey. ππ
Thank you to Mary Williams Zoe Williams Gary Williams for making it all possible and being so supportive ππ
The hard winter and all the emotional upheavals have taken a toll, prescribed antibiotics yesterday for a bacterial chest infection that's making me rather poorly, especially the lack of sleep from coughing!
Been spending time with the Famous Five who are adjusting to new combinations. Runa and Tyr are together, and Frodo is with Loki and Odin which seems to be helping his confidence.
Chatting to Tyr about all the changes in our little Wild Family, we agreed it can be quite scary, even when you know its the right way forward and part of growing and evolving, it still makes you feel funny and a bit lost. π₯Ή
Managing #mentalhealth #complexptsd #addisonsdisease #personalitydisorder #depression #traumahealing is a lifetime task and everyday is different. Changes certainly complicate matters and bring so much to the surface, dealing with past and present, trying to manage the flood of overwhelming thoughts, emotions and memories, whilst maintaining a balanced social front and fulfilling obligations, its exhausting as anyone with such issues understands.
#poniesponiesponies #dartmoorhillpony #communityproject #notforprofit #rescueponies #changeisgood #changeisscary #equinetraining
Hoof Trim for the 3 Amigos!
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Odin, Tyr and Loki had their hooves trimmed and examined today, and I was relieved that they were doing ok considering the muddy winter conditions! ππ€πππ΄
Thanks to the wonderful Gemma Tate for taking such good care of the 3 Amigos, and being around Runa and Frodo in such a positive, expectation free manner!
Odin was very well behaved, Tyr did really well but took a little while to settle at first, and Loki was doing well but got a bit restless when Runa, Odin and Tyr started playing, he had serious FOMO! π
All happy and relaxed, and they seem very comfortable with their trims as they've been frisking about playfully and enjoying a good chase.π€πππ΄
#dartmoorhillpony #notforprofit #communityproject #hoofcare #rescueponies
Loki Goof π€ͺ
The sunshine is out ππ It's dry! The ground is starting to be less swamp like and the ponies are happily drying off and welcoming the spring weather! At last!! π₯³πππ€π₯³π
Enjoyed some dedicated Loki time this morning, helping him relax, grooming off dry mud and winter fluff, picking hooves and treating with antifungal, antibacterial hoof clay to help his hooves repair after being so wet and muddy.
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About Loki:
He's nearly 3 years old, he's a gelding (boy). Loki is approx 11hh and comes from the wonderful Godsworthy herd on Dartmoor, just like Odin and Ari.
Loki has started his education and is a very chilled out chap generally. He walks well on the leadrope and is getting to grips with his basic manners and skills.
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Loki will continue his education this year, hopefully learning how to be a lead rein pony and carrying light passengers, but we'll see how it goes, there's no rush as he's still only young, lots of desensitisation work to do and building his confidence when out and about away from the herd.
#dartmoorhillpony #equinetraining #communityproject #poniesponiesponies #notforprofit #findyourherd #pendeen #ConservationGrazing #rescueponies #ecotherapy