The Welsh Pony and Cob Society
Cymdeithas y Merlod a'r Cobiau Cymreig

Hill Ponies of Wales Open Day

Llanrhidian Pony Improvement Society
Saturday 8, September 2007

The Hill Ponies of Wales wish to thank Llanrhidian Pony Improvement Society for arranging this excellent Open Day to promote the registered semi-feral hill ponies. Sincere thanks to everyone who attended, some of our supporters come from across the Country, bearing expensive traveling costs and also many stayed in overnight accommodation because of the distances traveled.

Visitors were welcomed with free beverages and a fine display of home made cakes.

We were grateful for the attendance of WPCS President-Elect Mr. Len Bigley and family, also to the WPCS Council members present.

The ponies live on the marsh all year round; there are gatherings for weaning and as and when any welfare issues arise. Gulleys running down the marsh fill up when the tide comes in which helps with the gathering, it helps to contain the ponies, although some ponies have been known to cross these flooded gulleys to evade capture. The gulleys also help to keep the mares and stallions confined to their various parts of the marsh.

Several tractor and trailer loads of people were taken down on to the Marsh in the afternoon to see the semi-feral ponies; unfortunately none were located within a reasonable distance to view. This was always a possibility I suppose as these semi-feral ponies run out over thousands of extra acres when the tide is out and were taking advantage of this and the good weather, which allowed them much more freedom to roam and graze.

When down on the marshes people were given a guided tour, many said afterwards that they could envisage the harsh terrain these ponies would have to face in particular the severe westerly gales.

There were also large pens of good ponies and cobs in an open field, for breeders to view. From 4.30pm the indoor entertainment began, licensed bar, auctions, raffles, hog roast.

Veterinary Surgeon (Acupuncturist) Lowry Davies, of the Smart Clinic Morriston, Swansea, pulled quite a large audience from the party with a very interesting talk about the treatment of laminitis and the new revolutionary veterinary procedure to treat from the source rather than the outward signs.

Then followed a great night of live entertainment which followed on until early hours of the following morning. President of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society conveyed her apologies for her absence, due to prior arrangements. Thanks also to the many that telephoned their apologies, far too many to mention.

Finally on behalf of our Committee I wish to sincerely thank Vivian Pearce and family, for kindly allowing the Open Day to be held at Windmill Stud.

Colin Thomas, Hill Ponies of Wales Committee.

Photograph by Dewi Thomas

The Windmill ponies collected off the marsh to Windmill Farm, Llanrhidian.
Looking across the Loughor Estuary towards Llanelli.
Photograph by Dr Wynne Davies

Photograph by Dewi Thomas

Loughor Estuary looking towards Llanelli.
Photograph by Dr Wynne Davies

One of the many deep ditches on Llanrhidian Marsh
Photograph by Dr Wynne Davies

Photograph by Dewi Thomas

The first group leaving for a tour of the marshes.
Photograph by Dr Wynne Davies

The third trailer load at the end of their journey onto the marsh.
Photograph by Dr Wynne Davies

 

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