What becomes of the free-living Exmoor pony foals who are gathered in the autumn and, due to the strict grazing quotas on the moors, must find new homes in domesticity? Toby and Eve Hickman, Exmoor Pony Society Exmoor Area Reps, have this year purchased a Hawkwell Herd 12 filly and offer us an insight into Hawkwell Lauralinn's first month in her new home.

When Toby Hickman attended the Hawkwell Herd 12 gathering in October - where the herd is brought down from Codsend Moor on Exmoor to West Hawkwell Farm at Luckwell Bridge - his eye was caught by a very pretty filly. The Hawkwell mares followed their stallion, Hawkwell Great Gatsby, along the lanes from Dunkery Gate, and knew exactly where they were going. They needed minimal guidance and, once in their familiar yard, stood quietly, the stallion watching everyone closely, but calm and accepting. I wondered how such a herd, used to living free on the moor for the rest of the year, could adapt so quickly and quietly to their few days in the farm's yard - surely a clear sign of the Exmoor's exceptional intelligence?

A few day's later, the inspection and branding of the ponies took place. The foals were separated into a different barn and once again, Toby and Eve noticed Lauralinn. "We particularly liked her movement and we already like the Hawkwell type with its lovely head, small ears and defined colours”, they said. "Lauralinn was six weeks younger than the other foals, so was slightly smaller. We enquired about her and were thrilled to be able to strike a deal."

Hawkwell Lauralinn (by Hawkwell Great Gatsby out of Collabear Countess and full sister to the 2006 Breed Show Supreme Champion, Hawkwell Versuvius) was delivered to her new home by John and Michael Western soon afterwards. Toby and Eve had prepared her new environment carefully - a cosy stable with ample bedding, fresh haylage and a warm welcome. They have fourteen other Exmoor ponies who run in a herd together with a 17.2hh thoroughbred, Ratty, who is known as the 'honorary Exmoor'. When Lauralinn arrived, the herd was out grazing and Lauralinn was led through to her stable, probably wondering where on earth she was. Shortly after she’d arrived, the herd came in for the night, and went straight to their allotted stables, in Toby and Eve's circular stable yard, with the minimum of fuss. Lauralinn was interested and curious rather than nervous, and soon started munching her haylage - a good sign she was settling in.

The herd ranges in age from 26 year old Anchor mare, Tell Tale and 23 year old mare, Cloaked Mynah, through various Knightoncombe and Mearas mares and geldings to 3 year old Hawkwell Altarial, plus 14 year old unregistered Exmoor, Herd 23 gelding, Flint, and 21 year old part bred Exmoor Knightoncombe Moonbeam – and is overseen by ‘Ratty’, thoroughbred Grand Sirat.

Eve started gentle socialisation work with Lauralinn the following day, spending short amounts of time in her stable, four or five times during the day, to let her get used to new human contact. “She soon allowed me to touch her,” says Eve “I found her itchy spots and gradually got her used to accepting me touching her on both sides of her body and around her head.”

This process continued for the first week, over which time Lauralinn was introduced to hard feed to accompany her ad lib haylage. “At first she preferred the mollichaff,” says Eve. “Then she started to eat the stud mix and now eagerly looks forward to her meals.”

Eve took great care to introduce Lauralinn to human contact slowly and gave her long periods between visits to rest and process the information. “As a youngster she needs plenty of time to relax and sleep, and the time in between handling sessions is important time for her to think about what’s going on and realise that there isn’t anything to worry about.”

Eve was pleased with Lauralinn’s progress over the first two weeks. “She is gentle and inquisitive and seems quite bold. When we had to roll some big bales of haylage into the barn next to her stable, she looked on with curiosity and wasn’t at all frightened. After the first week, she stopped tensing up when I approached her and is now accepting her headcollar and contact happily. She seems to like socialising and enjoys our company. After the first week, we put the radio on, which she also seems to enjoy.”

Although Eve and Toby’s other ponies go out during the day, they are back in the yard at dusk and they often put a pile of haylage outside Lauralinn’s stable to encourage the other ponies, and Ratty the thoroughbred, to come up and spend some time with her. Ratty has the run of the yard at night and is often found outside Lauralinn’s stable. This is an important process of socialisation with the herd that Lauralinn will shortly be turned out with.

Soon, Eve started bringing Lauralinn out for short walks and ‘playtime’ in the yard area. She is learning to lead and walk and is also introduced to some of the other ponies. During the next two weeks, Eve and Toby will teach Lauralinn to walk along the nearby lanes with the company of an older pony, to load and to stand up on the lead rein. This is all in preparation for the Exmoor Pony Christmas Show in early December – which is an important opportunity for people to come and see the moor bred Exmoor foals and youngstock.

Eve has an interest in natural horsemanship and has studied with various trainers, including Monty Roberts methods with Intelligent Horsemanship. She finds that the best way to work with young Exmoor ponies is, “to be nice, gentle, slow and calm. You need to work to build their trust, friendship and confidence in you as the handler. It’s a very rewarding way to deal with them. When you gain the ponies trust, they are more willing to be introduced to new experiences. If they trust you, they will look to you for guidance and safety. They are much more likely to try new things willingly if they feel safe.”

Eve is very aware that she is often the first consistent human point of contact with their foals after they come off the moor. “With a foal, you are taking the place of the mother and they will look to you to feel safe. However, they also need to respect you and learn the do’s and don’ts of how to behave with humans. You, as the handler, have got to be able to communicate what you want them to do, without using force, so that they clearly understand the boundaries – and can become confident and happy.”

It’s not always easy and, without doubt, even the youngest Exmoors can question ‘why’ they should do something. “When you have a block, for example, like walking into a stable on the lead rope,” says Eve “I take the time to reassure Lauralinn, to let her adjust to the change in light, let her take in what I’m asking her to do, and stroke her, before asking again. It is this process of patience, letting them process the request, and trust-building that works with Exmoors. You have to find a way of working with them to develop a bond and, once you have achieved that, they will become your loyal and trusting friend. With Exmoors, you have to be prepared to be patient and you will be rewarded a hundredfold. One of the nicest feelings when you have a foal, and you get to touch it, is the knowledge that how you handle and build a relationship with that foal will form the basis for its relationship with humans for the rest of its life.”

So what are Eve’s plans for Lauralinn and the rest of their Exmoor ponies? “We want to ride and to continue showing them – I want people to see how wonderful and adaptable they are for so many different activities. You can do anything with an Exmoor pony, if you build the right partnership with that pony.”

It looks like Lauralinn has landed on her feet as far as her new home is concerned and we look forward to following her progress.

Hawkwell Lauralinn - Update - December 2006
Hawkwell Lauralinn had a very successful first time out at the Exmoor Pony Society Christmas Foal Show, winning her Moor Bred Filly Foal class and going on to stand Res Supreme Champion Foal. Full results for the show on our Exmoor Showing and Activities page.