June 23rd 2011

Mini Maytime and Magnus have given so much pleasure to so many already. Magnus the foal is incredibly friendly and totally fearless and having been the tiniest addition has grown into his name - we think his father must have been a shire horse, he is almost as tall as his mother at the tender age of 6 weeks.

Magnus did not take kindly to being an only child -their size and our previous experiences with the herd, meant we have had to keep them separately. He became frustrated and irritable and his easy going mother made no effort to help him out.  It is very unnatural for a foal not to have a companion of their own age to play with.

Two weeks ago I found a mare and foal for him. The foal, Caspian, made Magnus - even when he first arrived, look like a baby elephant. The two of them quickly become firm friends and Magnus is a much happier little boy. While looking at the mare and foal I spotted a tiny year old miniature Shetland filly, who was so bedraggled and depressed, I couldn’t leave her so she has come to join the ever growing mini herd too.

The little yearling was so moth eaten I had to rename her Belle to boost her very low morale. She is now beginning to live up to her name and is blossoming under our tender loving care. She is so pretty under her matted baby coat and incredibly gentle. Magnus loves her and that is good enough for me.

Bronwen has returned from the stud and watching her re-establish herself in the herd was a remarkable spectacle. The whole herd danced, it was a beautiful and completely free of aggression. The new comers - Maytime especially, were obviously quite confused. They have not had the chance to find their true position within the herd, so her return confirmed their sense of insecurity. Comet our fabulous herd leader remained at the centre of the circle of dancing horses, watching quietly and remaining quiet and calm. He is not one to show signs of excessive emotion.

In the last two months the work we do here has gathered momentum. We have children and young people from several schools now, as well as the youngsters brought to us from London, through Foundations. Several adult organisations including those involved in Domestic violence are showing their support and bringing people to us to find solace in the company of our horses.