Winter Horses

Oh, Hywel, you know how to make someone feel homesick! My husband gets quite cross when I say "home," (Wales), as I have been away since 1957! Trying to explain the word "hiraeth" to him is impossible. It gets worse as one gets older as now there are few people who would welcome me into their homes. Once there were VERY MANY!
I love your images of Welsh mountain ponies. They are a hardy lot as the harsh conditions mean only the strongest survive. I believe around the Brecon Beacons Welsh cobs there date back to Roman times!
I hope they are well-looked -after . The ones you show seem to be.

this is a lovely blog Hywel. we have gipsy ponies on the verges near us but they are given basic needs. the RSPCA regularly check up on them.
These look hardy chappies/chappesess. [sure they are words but computer doesn't like them at all]

I always stop and talk to any we see in the fields, they certainly look tough, your welsh mountain ponies...

I would love to see a horse now and then. How fortunate you get to see them.

Lovely pictures. The horses look so well cared-for and are obviously very friendly.
The scenery near your home is very picturesque and gentle.

We get to see a lot in the fields around Rutland and I have to say hello, its sort of the right thing to do, lol....Thankyou Hywel for sharing yours...

I love ponies and they smell nice

wow Hywel I got quite dizzy looking at the second from last photo. He looks like he is standing on top of the world and boy he gets a fantastic view. Most of our local farmers have horses and one has Clydesdales. He wins lots of 'Mare with foal' cups in the Ag. Shows. Lovely photos.

Thanks for sharing your pictures of the horses Hywel. I love horses and have ridden for a long time in my life. I don't ride now, but always stop and say hello to any that we pass. We have a few just up the road from here and I
like to talk to them and give them a pat.

I didn't realise you were so "countryfied" where you live Hywel. When I was married, many years ago, my holiday every year from the early seventies was to Builth Wells and the Royal Welsh show, with Welsh Section C and D cobs both in hand and harness. My son still shows and breeds cobs and is a judge for WPCS.

Thanks for reading my blog, and your interesting replies and 'likes' :o)

The horses are well looked after, but last time we went past there they were not to be seen.
I think the owner has moved them somewhere else because the farmer wanted too much rent for the field.

The one 'on top if the world' is in a different place to the others.

Thorneyside there are no big towns around here. There's one small town not far away, and the rest is countryside hills and villages.

Another fantastic blog, Hywel! Not very often we get the chance to see horses & then they are nearly always the big short hair breeds so it makes quite a difference to see these sturdy ponies with long hair! ?

I can't remember now the last time I saw a horse! They seem to be a rare breed around here! LOL!

Thank you :)

Thanks for these pics. They are an attractive bunch - they have to be hairy and tough to survive up in the hills. I've seen them up on St Davids Head but not recently.
The horses we get in the village are much grander as there is a rather posh stable just up the road that has very classy ones. At the other extreme is a fairly local riding school that has a large but motley collection for riders of all ages and abilities that go down to ride along the beach - if you get behind them in the lane you'll be late for wherever you were going...
I hope "your" ponies have moved to a field where you can still see them Hywel.
Sadly we have a local hunt. If I see them I have to restrain myself from giving them a thumbs down or worse.

Since the return to "natural grazing" on heathland we get cattle and ponies now. I tend not to walk on the heath as I used to, as the young steer can be quite lively. I watch the cows from my windows instead! Only yesterday the postman commented that there were "bulls" on the heath. There aren't, only youngsters, but I reckon he finds all the cattle off-putting as he has to drive down remote country lanes.

The ponies keep together near the roads, oddly. That is why one has to be careful driving through the New Forest.

I absolutely love horses and these guys look to be sturdy animals with good natural winter coats. You'll have to take a couple of apples or carrots with you the next time you go past them.

Thanks for all your comments :)

Sue I thought hunting was illegal now. Strange that something isn't done about it. I think people who enjoy killing animals are disgusting and should be ashamed of themselves.

Eirlys I remember going to the New Forest several years ago and saw lots of horses in groups on the sides of the roads. They were posh English ones lol They looked very dainty in comparison to the ones around here :)

Thanks Julia, I think they may enjoy some carrots :)

What a lovely blog. The horses look very healthy. Many years ago I loved to ride , instead I will attempt to do some horse paintings. How's your painting going Hywel?

You are right Hywel, it is illegal but that doesn't necessarily stop people in out of the way places... After all if a fox is killing your chickens there has to be a more efficient method of getting rid of it than collecting a dozen friends, a pack of hounds and tearing found the fields on admittedly classy horses.....
And have you seen the way the master looks down on you when they pass?

Hi Marjorie, I am trying to do some paintings to pass the winter days :) I hope you are also enjoying some art.

Sue I don't believe it's got anything to do with chickens. I bet none of those people who go on the hunt have any. They just enjoy killing things. There's no excuse for such a malicious passtime. They are evil, immoral ... and thick !

Lovely photos of the horses with the Welsh hills in the background ... when my grandchilden would come on a walk with me and their late grandad we would always take some mints and they would hold them in their hands for the horses to take them how they loved the horses taking them off they hands .

Near here at Grafton Underwood we have a wonderful lady who cares for over 100 unwanted horses at this centre in
the woods. I loved it. Its called Equata. If you go into the website you will see what they do. I had this balance trouble in my back and was disappointed I couldnt go and help them, as they need extra people in April to brush out the long winter coats which keep them warm.
When I went for the interview, there was one German and one French student who had been there for a gap year, they loved it so much they didnt want to go home ! They
had to take up their next year of University study, so had to go. Jo has students from Moulton College to help. Its
all done voluntarily. Princess Anne went there last year.

Hywel I think some of them are farmers and trying to protect their animals - at least that's their story......

They are nothing but bloodthirsty idiots Sue :(

Thanks for your interesting comments Kidsgran and Diane :)

Hywel, had to laugh when I read your comment regarding "posh" horses in the New Forest. We think of them as being stocky little horses. People ride a lot around here and their horses are more slender . I was taken once by an old neighbour to an area where race horses were kept. We arrived near an old church, got out of the car, and heard a drumming sound. Suddenly around thirty race horses came charging to our field and some even stopped near the fence. Now that was something to see. I persuaded my husband to visit some months later and didn't see one! I've never forgotten the sight of those horses but, alas, have forgotten the place!! :O(

I agree Hywel. Nothing to stop them doing drag hunting if they just want the ride.

Everything English is posh Eirlys ;)

They could do it Sue, but they are bloodthirsty idiots.

I'm not posh Hywel.

Yes you are, I've met you :)