Spotlight on a Fostered Horse
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Carl and Marilyn Browse with HOLLY and APOLLO (plus Rupert, Sally and Heidi) |
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ABOUT
MARILYN AND CARL: Where
to start? We love animals and, indeed, all creatures. The net result is
the place is full of dogs (6), cats (2), ponies (2), goats (4) and
tortoises (2). Then we daily feed the wild birds that care to drop in, six
or seven squirrels and up to half a dozen foxes - the latter seem to
change, so it can get confusing! We have been Members of EHPPS since the
inaugural meeting in 1986 and thoroughly enjoy fostering ponies that need
a home. My second passion is old cars, but Marilyn, my wife, instructs me
not to even think about going there! ABOUT YOUR FOSTERED PONIES AND GOATS: Holly, a Shetland mare, is now nearly 24 years old and has been with us since she was a foal. Holly loves life and escaping into the farm next door (well the grass is SO much nicer over there!) She was heartbroken when her lifelong companion, Timmy, died last year and was inconsolable. We couldn’t stand to see Holly lonely, and asked Sue if there was an older pony we could foster to keep Holly company, and to give a good home to of course. Enter Apollo (photo above) - a Welsh Section B gelding. Apollo, a gentle, loving soul, is 24 years old. It took a few days, but Holly eventually decided that Apollo was ok and they gradually grazed closer and closer until Apollo decided to risk all and have a neck - they have been inseparable ever since. (Right: Holly and Apollo having a necking session)
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Rupert, Sally and Heidi are our foster goats (and not forgetting Jack, a pygmy goat who isn’t fostered from EHPPS but simply wandered in from the farm next door six years ago and never went home!) Rupert contracted some sort of virus some years back and is nearly blind, but he knows where everything is (for instance, we always park the dump truck back in the same spot so that he doesn’t walk into it). Roop is also well able to stand his corner when the treats arrive. Sally and Heidi arrived with us last October. Sally is an Anglo-Nubian goat who loves being stroked, having her back scratched and makes every effort to head you off if you try to leave the field before she has had enough! Heidi is a pygmy goat. She is very shy although she willingly takes bread and treats off us. Heidi is still nervous of being handled, but with lots of love, we will eventually get there. The ponies and goats have formed a loose herd and graze contentedly - and get up to mischief - together. They share a 1 1/4 acre field and 1/2 acre of fenced woodland, which they love. (Right: Holly and Roop) |
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WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO FOSTER HOLLY, APOLLO, RUPERT, SALLY AND HEIDI? We had always wanted a landed place when we got married a century or two ago(!) and purchased our current home in 1984. It covers a tad over 2 1/2 acres. We got to know EHPPS back in 1986 when we helped them out by providing a safe “hidden” haven for two ponies who were involved in a court case for cruelty. Once the court case was over (and which EHPPS won!) the horses were returned to the Sanctuary. Some time later, the Society had two foals that needed a foster home, which is how Timmy and Holly came to join our family. Unfortunately, Timmy died last year and, as already explained, Holly was unhappy and - joy of joys - Apollo arrived. When we first moved in, a neighbour offered us an Anglo Nubian goat as he was unable to look after him any more. He was a real character and we loved him to bits. When he died at a grand old age, we asked EHPPS if we could foster their two little goats - brother and sister team, Hansel and Gretel - who again, eventually died of old age. Then Rupert, Sally and Heidi needed a home and it wasn’t long before the goat population expanded to four. Apart from being great companions to us and each other, they love hedge eating (Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Elder being favourites), which is quite handy as we are covered in the stuff. (Right: Apollo with foster mum Marilyn) |
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WHAT IS YOUR MAIN AMBITION FOR YOU, YOUR PONIES AND GOATS? That’s an easy one. We get a tremendous buzz from giving our ponies and goats a safe and comfortable life and lots of love - err, spoilt rotten might be a better description. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST EXPERIENCE TO DATE AS A FOSTERER? Holly and Apollo becoming such good, devoted friends and watching them standing in a summer field necking! WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR WORST EXPERIENCE TO DATE AS A FOSTERER? That has to be when an animal dies. Okay, so it’s old age and it happens, but losing an old friend of many years is very difficult to bear. WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING OF BUYING OR FOSTERING A HORSE OR PONY? At first I thought I wouldn’t presume to give advice to others. I mean, what can I say? We don’t ride the ponies, we just give them a good and loving home to enjoy. Then I read Angela Davies article in the EHPPS January Newsletter and, you know what, her brilliant advice paragraph said it all! (Right: Carl and the Gang) |
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| JASMINE and ANGELA DAVIES | |
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ABOUT
ANGELA:
I have loved
horses since I was a child. My
room was decorated with horsey curtains, duvet, pictures etc.
When I was 13, I worked on a farm where I fell in love with
Arizona, who was an ex-racehorse. Although
she was unrideable, I spent countless hours fussing her. Unfortunately, my mum couldn’t afford for me to have riding
lessons, so I only learned to ride when I was in my twenties.
After riding friends horses and generally helping them out, I
decided it was time to get my own horse.
I took a gorgeous 15.2hh lad on a full loan with a view to buy
- however, my idea of a happy hack and his were totally different
and, on our final ride, I had a very bad accident and ended up being
airlifted to hospital. My
confidence was totally shattered.
ABOUT JASMINE: Jasmine’s show name is “Madame Zingara”. Jazzy is a laid back, piebald Gypsy Cob with beautiful blue eyes and soft, dark floppy ears. When she is in season she will shoot you the dirtiest look possible when it’s time for schooling. However, she has a calm and gentle nature, which is admired by everyone who meets her. Jasmine is by no means “a dope on a rope” though and can easily turn up the gas, but always considers her rider and, if in doubt, will go slower rather than faster, which has often been the case when we are cantering. Some days when I feel braver than usual Jazzy will keep up with her Warmblooded peers and really eats up the miles. On other days when I don’t want to go with the wind, I just say “Steady Jazzy – not today” and she won’t argue at all. She seems to read me so well. |
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WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO FOSTER JASMINE: Jazzy was already at the yard where we are now but was fostered by someone else when I first met her. My best friend, who incidentally has two foster horses from EHPPS, invited me down to come and handle her following my accident, as she thought Jazzy would give me confidence. I was still not interested in riding and would shake at the thought of it. It was such a sad and emotional time when I had to give the bay back to his owner as I had grown attached to him. I saw Jazzy with her fosterer at the time and really admired her manners. She never pushed or pulled when being lead and I thought “what a gem – a real one in a million find”. |
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My very good friend, Andrew Gates, often said that Jazzy would be the perfect horse for me but I was not ready to contemplate riding again at that time. Then suddenly Jasmine’s fosterer’s circumstances changed and Jazzy was about to become available for re-foster, so Andrew suggested that I met her formally and just sat on her. Andrew knew Jazzy well due to his involvement with EHPPS and the fact that he had backed Jazzy, so I totally trusted him. I remember sitting on Jazzy that day and my nerves just melted away – even though she was the biggest horse I had ever sat on. I felt so safe – I knew then that I was smitten. My fostering application was subsequently successful and I became Jazzy’s new “mum”. Even though regaining my confidence has been a slow, ongoing process, I have so enjoyed travelling the journey with Jazzy. She has taught me so much and I really believe we have a true partnership. |
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WHAT IS YOUR MAIN AMBITION FOR YOU AND JASMINE? I am not really ambitious and just wanted a happy hacker – well that’s before I met Jazzy! She excels in so many spheres – she jumps, is a head turner at traditional showing classes (and that’s not me being biased!) We are both learning to jump together. Although we are only doing clear rounds classes for now, I hope to gradually enter into a “big girl’s” class soon. Apart from our relaxed attitude to competing, we love our hacking out. Jazzy is always the one to show the other horses that the tractor will NOT eat you and that crossing a bridge is not the end of the World! |
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| WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST/WORST EXPERIENCE TO DATE? My most challenging experience so far was taking Jazzy to our first showing show at Thurrock. As soon as Jazzy got off the trailer with her yard mate, Pinky, she must have sensed a stallion nearby. Added to this she was in season and really started showing off! It took a whole hour of walking around and her whinnying loudly before we could calm her down. However, her excitability paid off in the form of a stunning rosette awarded by the judge in the showing class for her “look of eagles”! I’ve had so many good experienced with Jazzy, but one that I will never forget is winning our first rosette at a clear round in Crays Hill. We are both enjoying learning to jump – even though we only jump half a foot! | |
| WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT BUYING HIS OR HER FIRST HORSE? Horses are not just for Christmas. They required 110% commitment. For someone serious about taking the huge step towards owning a horse, they should perhaps volunteer at a Sanctuary or help out a friend who has horses – to obtain first hand experience of the day-to-day involvement. However, that said, I cannot think of anything more rewarding. Another important factor is to ensure that you and your horse are suitably matched. Accept that you may lack experience and find a horse that you can manage rather than getting something just because it looks good. Also, think about how you would manage the day-to-day care of your horse. Fortunately, I have “Team Jasmine”, consisting of a few close friends who help me out when I go on holiday or if I am ill. Jazzy is familiar with them all and they know her routine. Finally, I would urge anyone thinking of getting a horse to consider going to a Sanctuary first. There have been so many success stories about Sanctuary horses and ponies – it also gives a rescued animal a second chance in life. Horses are so keen to please and have so much to offer. | |