Leigh Martin from Mountain River in Tasmania writes about his track…

feeds and off they go again.
Fitness levels and toplines have improved out of sight. Fat ponies have to keep up with the fickle TBs now. Drink once a day it seems dont always go for the trees when its hot often seen resting in the blazing sun. When its really windy they hate the trees they go for the flat plains where there are no trees whatsoever cold rain and wind though they often go for the trees. They play a hell of a lot and its interesting that there is no real agression in it no real biting just nipping and grabbing each other with their teeth. They have also dug a couple of big holes one in particular is huge and they have turned it into a big
dust roll they have one they use a lot in
a damp area and one they use a lot in a very dry area?
And interestingly one of our ponies who suffers terribly from separation anxiety is almost cured. All ours are in together and could not be happier so when we take her riding she is already feeling calm and content before she leaves the paddock and taking her away this calmness seems to follow her rather than the opposite effect. Mentally she is more resilient and stronger. Horses are defintely much happier and have much more choice about what they do.
PHOTO The electric tape gate across the driveway opens to the opposite side of the gate opening to close off the
track while driving through.