tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493398068080107368.post7249094993116828158..comments2023-10-04T07:27:01.685-07:00Comments on Where Beechmast Falls: Morning Rest on the HeathDartford Warblerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04352965211143836326noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493398068080107368.post-1739834865076742142011-02-09T07:11:09.194-08:002011-02-09T07:11:09.194-08:00It sounds like you keep a caring eye on the New Fo...It sounds like you keep a caring eye on the New Forest "wild" ponies--how does this work? Are there individuals who volunteer to oversee them in a particular region and notify someone if there is a health problem?<br />It is nearly impossible not to feel concern for animals that share our nearby space.<br />We used to occasionally drive past the wild herds in Wyoming and I wondered if they were brought hay during a hard winter or if it was "survival of the fittest."Morning's Minionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01912356455981434029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493398068080107368.post-16704145539935060542011-02-09T01:32:45.987-08:002011-02-09T01:32:45.987-08:00BB- I wondered the same thing about the dun mare. ...BB- I wondered the same thing about the dun mare. Her colouring could be inspired by a Highland too. Who knows what breeding some of these ponies have? As you know, in the recent past, the older type of purer bred New Forest pony was diluted/improved by all sorts of other breeds. <br /><br />Rowan - Yes, these ponies live wild, although they all belong to New Forest commoners. Some have been halter trained ( which makes life easier for catching them if needs-be) but most are unhandled and have to be rounded up at least once a year, for worming, checking, tail notching. This usually happens in early autumn, when the colt foals are removed from their mothers. Often a traumatic weaning. <br />All the New Forest ponies in our fields were NF colts in need of a home for various reasons.<br /><br />Karen - Horses often sleep standing up. If they do feel relaxed enough to lie down, early morning or afternoon sunshine seems a preferred time. It is unusual to see all in a group lying down together. Someone is usually standing and awake, on the watch for predators!<br /><br />WOL- Goodness, you are still in the depths of winter! We could still have snow again here. We often get some a few weeks after bad weather in the US, if Atlantic weather systems blow it our way.Dartford Warblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352965211143836326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493398068080107368.post-61971872755847778012011-02-09T00:37:34.200-08:002011-02-09T00:37:34.200-08:00They're a nice little band. I wonder if the d...They're a nice little band. I wonder if the dun mare has some Highland in her? The head wouldn't go amiss on a Highland with that deep jawline.Bovey Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13117332471600275100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493398068080107368.post-90013850230389897742011-02-08T23:40:43.793-08:002011-02-08T23:40:43.793-08:00What a lovely set of photos - I take it that these...What a lovely set of photos - I take it that these are wild New Forest ponies? Yesterday was beautiful here but your rain has arrived this morning, we do need it though. In spite of the snow it's been a pretty dry winter in this area.Rowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13679130612798888266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493398068080107368.post-78402506316268367892011-02-08T18:05:27.253-08:002011-02-08T18:05:27.253-08:00Your ponies are more relaxed than the horses aroun...Your ponies are more relaxed than the horses around here. I don't think I've ever seen any laying down in a field unless there was something wrong.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09268304194276808749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493398068080107368.post-18420318879176451202011-02-08T17:35:25.606-08:002011-02-08T17:35:25.606-08:00What pretty coloration the dun mare has. We'd...What pretty coloration the dun mare has. We'd call her a "buckskin." I know the ponies must be glad for the sun. I am so ready for spring!! It's fixing to snow here again, going to be down to 7F (-14C) tonight and even colder tomorrow night. Just after 7 pm here it is already 11F(-12C). I need to go turn on a trickle of water in my sink faucet so my kitchen pipes won't freeze again.WOLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03775462248193876148noreply@blogger.com