Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society 

Charity Registration No: 297893

~~  NEWS FROM FOSTERED HORSES AND PONIES  ~~ 

JERICHO with 6 year old Gracie Tyte (Lynsey's daughter)
Jerry has gone on foster as a companion/lead rein pony for Lynsey's mare, Inky

Progress of Candy and Belle

 At the end of 2008 we took Candy on foster. She was perfect to load and travelled very well but then the trouble started. We had never known a pony so terrified of people. When anyone entered her stable to try to catch her she would rear straight up, start shaking and then swing round and kick out with both back feet. This took a long time to eliminate. We realised she wasn’t nasty just so frightened that all her brain could tell her was to keep people away at any cost. We had never seen a pony whose eyes bulged so much they looked as though they would pop out of their sockets. Oddly we could always catch her in the field by gently putting a rope over her neck. She was and still is very head shy. Putting a bridle on involves undoing the bit on one side, putting the bridle on her neck and gently sliding it up and over her ears. She came to us with a huge lump between her eyes with a scar on it so perhaps somewhere in her past someone hit her in  the face very hard. About 9 months ago came a break through and although she does sometimes present her rear she can be persuaded to come round just by talking and a gentle directional pat on her rump. When this first happened I was nearly in tears as it proved that at long last she really trusted us.

 When she first came she was terrified of plastic sacks so we covered all the fences in a half acre paddock with plastic sacks, now she doesn’t mind them at all. She really does trust us and will follow where we lead even if she is a little nervous about the prospect.

 Just under a year ago dun Shetland Belle joined her. She is so good at home with my 3 year old grandson, very laid back and willing.

 This year we thought it might be nice to take them to a show. The first was a disaster although Candy came 4^th in a mixed Mountain & Moorland class despite rearing twice in the ring and doing a huge buck which resembled the Spanish Riding School’s Capriole and Belle turned into a monster, screaming to Candy all the time they were apart. Did you know a Shetland can lunge itself on the length of a lead rope? She really did amuse bystanders. We took our courage in both hands and took them both to another very small local show. What a transformation in Candy! She behaved impeccably. She does have extravagant movement and won every class she entered, a fun class for the prettiest mare, best Riding Pony type, best rescued and best Mountain & Moorland Welsh Section A & B. The judge said that the stallion in this class was a champion so she did really well. Belle was slightly better behaved. She came second in the Shetland class. (However this wasn’t as good as it sounds as there were only two in the class and the winner was a superb, at the very least County Show standard pony.) Belle also came third in the best rescued.

 The fact that they both box and travel very well is such an advantage. We have one of those trailers without ramps and they just step on and off it. We do TRY not to be smug about this when we see so many horses refusing to load. We have luckily never had any trouble with any of our horses in this respect. The photo’s are of Candy and Belle before we had them and wearing their rosettes in our yard with my husband Colin who took about four days to recover. 

 Angela and Colin Hudson
(Candy and Belle’s Fosterers)

Hello Sue,  I know I'm always sending pictures in of Ella but how cute did she look at the Christmas Party!!  Marina Harvey (Ella's Foster Mum)

19 January 2010

Hi Sue and all at EHPPS.

 Claire Francis here, I foster Tanya and City Jiva aka Candy.  I just wanted to let you know we are all getting on like a house on fire.  Tanya is still so god damn cute (and fluffy) and Candy is the sweetest mare I know (as well as Tanya obviously)! We changed her name as it was such a mouthful when calling her in the field. We thought of Candy because she is so sweet and the "C" is my first initial and "ANDY" is my hubby (he thinks I called her Candy because of him – I've gotta keep him sweet - he pays for them) LOL.    I am attaching a photograph of Candy taken today - I can't believe how dark she has got since she's got her winter coat! I have taken more but she didn't really want her photo taken - it was dinnertime.   

When I bought Candy home, people at the yard asked why I got a horse I couldn't ride. My reply was that I have a horse I ride, I just wanted another one to love. She has everything she wants and needs (and more besides) and is a real joy to care for.  

 Thank you Sue for both of my girls (Candy and Tanya).

 Take care,  Claire Francis.

14 January 2010

Hi Sue,

Hope you are all well?  Just wanted to keep in touch to let you know how things are going with Gwyneth since we moved to Barling.  Gwynnie has settled in so well and so quickly and has made so many friends (as well as one enemy)!  I’m so proud of her and everything that we’ve achieved.  I won’t go into too much detail as when I have more time on my hands, I want to write a story of our 14-months together, so it may hopefully be printed in one of the next newsletters?!

Gwyn has recently competed in 2 dressage competitions at Shopland Hall Equestrian Centre in Rochford, one with myself and one with my loaner Vicky.  We came 9^th out of 15 and Vicky came 10^th out of 15.  We started at the wrong end of the dressage season, but it gave us an insight into what we could expect for next year!  With Gwyns moves as you know, she will do so well.  I’m thinking of doing a sponsored ride in the next few months with a couple of friends too.  We’ve been able to do much more schooling and hacking, but the only gait she’s really interested in, is canter!  Which is good, as we both love speed.  Gwyn's also overcome the issue of having her mane touched and brushed and we’re nearly there on her forelock too – but she still has a big issue with having her tail brushed and trimming her fetlocks is a nightmare too.  Anyway, that’s a brief summary so far.