E.H.P.P.S.

Pitsea Hall Lane, Basildon

Essex SS16 4UH

Tel: 01268 584603

POPPY and CHEROKEE (DOB: 29 June 2010)

Poppy was relinquished into our care by the RSPCA who were successful in bringing a prosecution against Poppy’s owner. In foal at the ripe old age of 22 years when she came to us, Poppy had us all worried as to whether she would incur any complications foaling, given her appalling condition – courtesy of said ex-owner. Thankfully, Cherokee was delivered safe and sound on 29 June 2010—and boy, was he HUGE! We’ve never met such a forward and advanced foal as Cherokee at so tender an age. He cut two top teeth at just two days old and two bottom teeth at three days old—and then bit our Sanctuary Manager (probably to test them and see if they worked properly. They did—more than adequately). At a week old, he double barrelled groom, Mike Pugh for no good reason. At two weeks old Cherokee managed to break out of the paddock he was in with Poppy. Laura found him running with the herd the next morning without a care in the world. He had paired up with 16.3hh Vulkan and 14.2hh Zuli; Laura said it was one of the funniest sights she had ever seen.

Poppy, an excellent mum, was being run ragged by the little tyke. Laura hit upon the idea of turning Poppy and Cherokee out into our large Sunday field with Moloco and Lawrence, who were not with the main herd at the time as Lawrence was receiving treatment for the sarcoid on his face. Moloco very quickly took on the role of aunty to the foal, which gave Poppy some much needed relaxation time away from her wilful foal. Poppy would happily graze and, close by, Mo would be keeping a sharp eye on the baby. She would stand over him while he was sleeping. Poppy was obviously comfortable letting this gentle Arab mare “babysit” her precious son. Lawrence, not one to be left out of the action, also started to watch over Cherokee for Poppy. It was one of the best examples of EHPPS “team work” ever.

While Cherokee’s antics have been amusing so far, we are well aware that he needs boundaries setting down before he gets too big to control. Mike Pugh has been working with Cherokee simply to teach him how to lead properly and to lift his feet to be hoof picked every day. So far, our youngest resident is being a good and willing pupil.