Tawny

Please sponsor me then Barrow Farm might be able to afford to feed me more!

Hi, my name is Tawny and I would like to tell you all about myself in the hope you may decide to sponsor me. I need more sponsors because I really don’t think they can afford to feed me. They are always poking my tummy and measuring my girth and muttering about too much grass. I would like to see any grass let alone too much.

Anyway, enough moaning, let me tell you about me, I am an Exmoor pony and my ancestors go back to the ice age (not sure when that was but it sounds impressive) Those of you who follow the exploits of Barrow Farm will know that Exmoor ponies have played an important part in the group. So I start of with an advantage as far as the boss goes, she has a very soft spot for Exmoor’s. In her eyes I am the "George Clooney" of the horse world. And I must say that apart from her obsession with my waistline she treats me quite well. Some say she spoils me but that’s just because they don’t understand me. I have to admit I’m not everyone cup of tea, too strong, too wilful, too greedy, too clever, cocky and confident, a typical Exmoor pony in fact. But take the time to get to know me and I just know you would love me.

I was born in the Exmoor village of Wooten Courtney, and spent my early years there. Then together with my mother, sister and aunt I moved up country to Buckinghamshire. At eight years old I was rather belatedly broken in to ride and advertised for sale. And guess what, Barrow Farm bought me. As I was still very inexperienced the boss spent nearly nine months teaching me how to be an R.D.A. pony. I am grateful she took the time because the work is a real challenge and a pony needs to be prepared, I must stand still, walk when told, trot (but not too fast) tolerate noise and fidgeting and be nice to volunteers. This last one can be a problem if there’s grass about.

So all things considered I think I fell on my feet when I came to Barrow Farm. Which is just as well because talking about feet or hooves as mine are properly called, I have a bit of bad luck in the hoof department. Whoever designs Exmoor ponies made a big mess of my front feet; I think they got me mixed up with a donkey (we both share mealy muzzles). I have to go to the vet and they take pictures, then after a lot of head scratching and discussion between farrier and vet I have special shoes made for me. It’s nice to be special but I would rather have good feet. I rather suspect it all costs a lot of money, another reason I need lots of sponsors.

The boss likes to see me doing things so I have had to learn dressage, don’t I look flash in the picture. Sally looks quite good too but it’s me doing all the work. All she has to do is sit and steer (well that’s what I think) but don’t tell her I said so. R.D.A. ponies need variety and I’m always up for an outing, there might be grass!

Please sponsor me then Barrow Farm might be able to afford to feed me more!