The following sections will look at ongoing progress with Penelope as she learns new things. At Holt Ball, once a foal is basically socialised, a large amount of their time is spent with their herd as the emphasis is on them becoming 'horses' first and foremost and being fully fluent in the language of Equus. Penelope has had a massive advantage by spending the first six months of her life living with a wild herd, completely independently from humans.

In the past week, she has been fully integrated into the domestic herd here, where she now spends 24 hours a day with them. She is making new relationships and learning how to move with the herd from the pasture into the main barn, and to navigate and manage the hierachy and group dynamics including where to stand, where to lie down, where to eat and what she can and can't do. There is a lot for Penelope to take on board, and the main herd need to make adjustments to accept the newcomer. So while she has had her head collar on briefly every day and comes up to see me a few times a day, I've reduced the brief sessions I've been doing with her so she can concentrate on making the successful transition to her new environment. Harry looks extremely relieved to be back with his herd and is gradually allowing the others to interact with her, and to relax and allow her to do her own thing sometimes. Although, he is still keeping a very watchful eye over her.

One thing that Penelope needs to be able to do is to let us pick up and tend to her feet. She still has tiny foal feet and is very protective of them. So, for the past few weeks, I've been working to build trust with her in other areas so she is happy to come up and have a head collar on, any time, anywhere, in or out. And she is learning to accept being stroked and handled over her body and neck.

A foal, particularly a semi-feral one, can find it difficult to allow a human body to reach close down to their body, and pick up their feet. The feet are particuarly important to a flight animal, as without them, he can't run and will be caught. So by giving up a foot, the horse is giving up his ability to take flight. It is a huge step of trust as what we are doing is very 'predatory' to a horse.

Although Penelope is becoming happier for me to stroke down her front legs and pick up a foot briefly, I can see it's a big step for her, so today, I introduced a method that's worked well on horses that have been taught to kick, and who need rehabilitation so they can be safe again....

The hand on the stick
Here, we make an introductory 'hand' by filling a glove loosely with hay and tying it onto a stick, or crop. The idea is for the pony to become comfortable and 'de-sensitised' to the feeling of the long 'hand' coming onto their body and touching them, and ultimately, to then not mind this being replaced with my actual hand, when it is safe to do so. (Equine trainers such as Monty Roberts and Vanessa Bee use this method very successfully).

Note: Accurate feel, timing and balance are ESSENTIAL here, as if I get this wrong, and the pony doesn't understand the logic of when the 'hand' comes in towards her body and goes away, it can cause the pony to become confused and possibly fearful, or angry. (Imagine a stranger standing next to you and quietly poking you at random. It doesn't matter how lightly, heavily, or how frequently or infrequently they do it, if you don't understand what they're doing, it is going to cause a negative reaction in you. Depending on your temperament, this could range from moving away to losing your rag at them...). Although Penelope's not a predator like me, if I'm not clear, fair and consistent in my approach, she won't like it.

Combining Picking Up Feet - with Tying Up training
I start by laying the stick and glove on the floor and leading Penelope over to start with something she is familiar with, like a gentle brush to groom her. She is also learning to TIE UP during these sessions. I do this by looping her long lead rope through a string loop, tied to the rail, and holding the end, rather than tying her. If she moves away and the line goes tight, I gently encourage her to come back towards me. Because I've built up the trust so it's normal for her to come towards me, she is happy to do this. (All of the times I've invited her to come up to me when she's at liberty, are building blocks that help Penelope to learn to release herself from pressure when she learns new things like tying up.)

Introducing the Hand on the Stick
Penelope is not fazed by the brush, just curious, so I start to gently brush her. She notices the stick on the floor and takes hold of the glove in her mouth and lifts it up. She is clearly not frightened of it and has just introduced herself to the 'hand' on the stick. I take the opportunity she's given me, and pick it up and move in to touch her on the wither. She turns her head to look towards the glove and I move the stick out and away. The next few steps are critical. I move the stick in and rub it briefly on her wither and around her lower neck and shoulder, removing it if she remains still, or looks at it. Soon, she is very clear that she can cause the stick to go away, so she does not become fearful of the 'pressure' of being touched with the hand on the stick. Once she learns that she can control the movement of the stick and make it go away, the trust builds and her adrenalin stays down.

Like anything, once she's doing it right, it's time to move on, so I work my way over her back and rump with the gloved hand, gradually leaving it on for longer before removing it, and stroking and rubbing her with it, in a grooming way. She's comfortable with this. If she moves, I leave the stick on her. As soon as she stops, I move it away from her body. I vary my movements -, sometimes sweeping the stick and 'hand' in and out and just touch her, and other times, stroking her with it. I watch her reactions carefully to see that she's happy with whatever I'm doing. And I try really hard not to be irritating - we all know what it's like to be annoyed by a buzzing fly!!

Progressing to Penelope's legs and feet
All of this only lasts a few minutes, and I do both sides of Penelope. She's happy and periodically reaches down for a mouthful of haylage. Then, I start to bring the stick to the top of her leg and start to stroke down her leg. Now she is more apprehensive and does move away as this is her 'no go zone'. Timing is critical here and it's essential that I leave the stick on when she's moving and remove it immediately she stops or looks at it. Soon she's reassured that she can make it go away. On a good point, I stop for a couple of minutes so we can rest and Penelope can process what's happening and let it sink in that nothing is hurting or frightening her. She nibbles at the haylage so she's not stressed.

One interesting advantage of this method is that you can consolidate the Tying Up training with the Picking Up Feet training very well. If Penelope moves away so the lead rope goes taut in the string loop, I keep the gloved hand touching her. Once she turns towards me again, and slackens the line, I take the stick away. She quickly learns to turn back towards me after she has turned away, as, a) it makes the stick go away, and, b) it releases her from a taut line. She is a very fast learner and her movements are considered, not panicked.

Progressing to the first pick up of all four feet
I work around all of the legs with the stick, stroking right down to each foot. If she lifts a leg, I hold the 'hand' there. The split second she puts the foot down, I take the stick away. Soon, she realises the stick goes away when she keeps her foot still on the ground. This is all done very quietly and gently. I am holding the lead rope loosely in my other hand so she is not restrained.

Then I put the stick aside and start stroking her legs with my hand. I'm constantly checking that she's happy and ready for this. She is still apprehensive, but her adrenalin is low and she's not irritated or stressed. One by one, she gives me all of her feet briefly. Today, I'm only looking for a brief pick up without a kick or snatching away. Just a moment of stillness. Once she gives that to me on the final foot, I immediately take her head collar off and walk away. The biggest reward I can give Penelope, given she's already had her breakfast, is to go away.

Quality Time after the session
However, she follows me and even when the gates are all opened up and the horses have the choice to go out, Penelope gets to the field gate and looks back. The others aren't in a rush so she walks back into the barn and right up to me and is happy to hang out for a few minutes. This is called 'quality time' - when it's her choice to be with me or not, and I stroke her. Then they all go out. It's been a great session and I'm amazed at how she has, in just a few minutes, trusted me enough to give me all four of her feet.

In future sessions, I'll look to pick up the feet for long enough to pick them out and prepare her for being able to have them trimmed when necessary.

NOTE: Every pony is different and responds and reacts according to their individual temperament, to the environment, to the weather, to my mood and whatever is going on that day. Sometimes, it can take a few short sessions, over a few days to reach this point. Rarely is it quicker. This pony has not experienced any trauma through harsh restraint or 'lasting pain' so she has a natural confidence and curiosity - and willingness to trust humans - that is a joy to see in a previously free-living Exmoor pony foal.

Exmoor ponies, one of the UK's twelve Native Pony breeds, have remained genetically pure since the Ice Age and are considered to be a truly 'prehistoric' little horse. Unfortunately, their small numbers (only about 3,000 worldwide) mean they are listed as an Endangered Breed, but much conservation work is being done to preserve and protect this remarkable pony - one of the UK's most ancient national treasures!

Exmoor ponies live in both semi-feral, free-living herds and also 'in ground' in domestic pastures. The free living herds can be found within Exmoor National Park in Somerset, and in small pockets around the UK and overseas. Once they have been socialised to human contact and their trust has been won, Exmoor ponies can make fantastic riding and performance ponies. They are extremely robust, strong, well conformed and intelligent. Their evolution has involved them thinking for themselves and making decisions for their own survival - so the Exmoor pony has a bright, sharp, questioning character and a strong sense of right and wrong (as they see it...).

Positive, Trust-Based Training Methods
The training methods that work best with Exmoor ponies are positive and trust-based. The growing trend for working 'at liberty' with horses and ponies, understanding horse psychology and behaviour, and considering their well being and happiness in any activity they are involved in, is the key to unlocking the best from an Exmoor pony. Once trust is established on the ground, Exmoor ponies will accept you on their backs and, with their strength, speed, intelligence and sure footedness, they ride like 'little horses' and are extremely comfortable. They have natural rhythm, endurance - and can jump like stags!

Managing Exmoor Ponies
At Holtball Exmoors (web page), our ponies live in small herds, with our foundation stallion, Hawkwell Versuvius, running with mares and youngstock all year round. Once youngstock is weaned, they are introduced into another herd with youngstock and older ponies to guide them. A natural management system means the ponies roam freely from the pasture into their corralls and shelter and they have company at all times. Allowing the young ponies company continues in their training. When we are introducing a foal to wearing a headcollar, leading, handling and loose schooling, we will always ensure there is an older, more experienced pony (or ponies) involved. The foal gains great confidence from the calmness of his companions, and learns more easily what is expected of him, when others can demonstrate by example.

FURTHER FEATURES: CLICK HERE to see an Article with pictures on our Exmoor colt loose schooling with his stallion sire