Welcome to the video diary page of South Moor Hamish.
South Moor Hamish is an 8 month old Dartmoor Hill Pony colt who came to me from Dartmoor Hill Pony Promotions. Here we will follow Hamish in a series of video diaries as he goes through his early 'taming & training'.
Hamish - The story so far:
Hamish was running wild on Dartmoor until 2nd February 2015 when he was loose loaded with a group of other weanlings and delivered a short distance away to Joanne Todd at Dartmoor Hill Pony Promotions.
Here he was microchipped, wormed and had a head collar put on (using a gate to restrict movement) and then 5 days later I collected him, again traveling him loose in the trailer.
He arrived with me two weeks prior to the first three videos being made. During this time he was turned out with my old gelding & run loose into the pen from his paddock daily for feeding where he could see all the comings and goings.
I worked a little on having him 'face up' (see video 1) when I entered his pen, as to start with he would put his head down in the corner and present me with his bottom - I never accept bottoms as a first point of contact!
I also worked a little on touching his face so I could remove the head collar he was wearing when he arrived, probably a total of about 5 minutes (in one or two minute blocks) was spent with him before starting the video sessions, other than this he has had no handling so the handling sessions you see in the videos are first time experiences for him.
I have worked with hundreds of feral ponies over the last 10 years and I have to say Hamish has been one of the easiest i've worked with.
Joanne has informed me that all of the South Moor Ponies she has rehomed so far seem to be very quiet, easy ponies with good temperaments - I can't recommend them highly enough.
So if you are looking for a future child's pony please do contact Joanne via her Facebook page.
*Please note I am wearing safety equipment in all the videos - hard hat, gloves & sensible foot wear & I highly recommend you do the same.
Hamish was running wild on Dartmoor until 2nd February 2015 when he was loose loaded with a group of other weanlings and delivered a short distance away to Joanne Todd at Dartmoor Hill Pony Promotions.
Here he was microchipped, wormed and had a head collar put on (using a gate to restrict movement) and then 5 days later I collected him, again traveling him loose in the trailer.
He arrived with me two weeks prior to the first three videos being made. During this time he was turned out with my old gelding & run loose into the pen from his paddock daily for feeding where he could see all the comings and goings.
I worked a little on having him 'face up' (see video 1) when I entered his pen, as to start with he would put his head down in the corner and present me with his bottom - I never accept bottoms as a first point of contact!
I also worked a little on touching his face so I could remove the head collar he was wearing when he arrived, probably a total of about 5 minutes (in one or two minute blocks) was spent with him before starting the video sessions, other than this he has had no handling so the handling sessions you see in the videos are first time experiences for him.
I have worked with hundreds of feral ponies over the last 10 years and I have to say Hamish has been one of the easiest i've worked with.
Joanne has informed me that all of the South Moor Ponies she has rehomed so far seem to be very quiet, easy ponies with good temperaments - I can't recommend them highly enough.
So if you are looking for a future child's pony please do contact Joanne via her Facebook page.
*Please note I am wearing safety equipment in all the videos - hard hat, gloves & sensible foot wear & I highly recommend you do the same.
22/02/15
Filmed the first 3 videos in one session which lasted around 35 mins. Neck roping, head-collaring & the start of foot handling. I plan to cover the second stage of foot handling and more on leading in next session.
Filmed the first 3 videos in one session which lasted around 35 mins. Neck roping, head-collaring & the start of foot handling. I plan to cover the second stage of foot handling and more on leading in next session.
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02/03/15
Found 5 minutes between rain, snow & hail showers so we worked on introducing grooming, also checking in on the things we covered in first 3 videos. Makes total 'training' time to date around 40mins.
Found 5 minutes between rain, snow & hail showers so we worked on introducing grooming, also checking in on the things we covered in first 3 videos. Makes total 'training' time to date around 40mins.
22/03/15
It's been a crazy month here since the sun has made a welcome appearance, but I managed to find some time to film the second foot handling and start working on some leading exercises. I had to get foot handling done as my baby bump is suddenly increasing at an alarming rate and I don't think i'll be able to get down to his feet in a few more weeks!
It's been a crazy month here since the sun has made a welcome appearance, but I managed to find some time to film the second foot handling and start working on some leading exercises. I had to get foot handling done as my baby bump is suddenly increasing at an alarming rate and I don't think i'll be able to get down to his feet in a few more weeks!
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29/04/15
I have been so busy working with clients horses that I have had no daylight hours left for videoing!
Hamish has continued to be an angel with everything asked of him, he comes in most days with my old gelding and has his feet picked out and a brush (he still has a coat most sheep would envy!)
Hamish was castrated today, he was a little star for the vet and all went smoothly. Once he has recovered in a week or two I plan to film the foot trimming and trailer loading videos.
28/05/15
Hamish looking a little different to when you saw him last as most of his fluff has come out and he's had a growth spurt! Finally got round to filming trailer loading today (see video below).
I have been so busy working with clients horses that I have had no daylight hours left for videoing!
Hamish has continued to be an angel with everything asked of him, he comes in most days with my old gelding and has his feet picked out and a brush (he still has a coat most sheep would envy!)
Hamish was castrated today, he was a little star for the vet and all went smoothly. Once he has recovered in a week or two I plan to film the foot trimming and trailer loading videos.
28/05/15
Hamish looking a little different to when you saw him last as most of his fluff has come out and he's had a growth spurt! Finally got round to filming trailer loading today (see video below).
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Hamish first ride July 2017
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