Briar.

My name is ´Briar´ although my registration name with the Exmoor Pony Society is ´Bryony´ and I am 4 yrs old and I met my new mum via the Exmoor based ´Moorland Mousie Trust´.

My new field mate is Chiff Chaff ( a fellow Exmoor) and her companion sadly died back in early May of this year from old age and Cushings Disease so as Chiffy was on her own..mum and dad decided to get another Exmoor,as a companion.
Mum being mum was very specific in her requirements of what she wanted ( a 4-5 yr old registered mare,preferably broken in but not essential,no vices and NO sweet-itch)....and after trying various contacts..she was finally contacted by the Trust regarding me..they emailed her a picture of me and despite my hiccups..she was hooked!.
Two weeks later,she came and visited me (yesterday 5th June) and two or so hours later..I travelled back with her and daddy to my new home!.

I am a youngster so am quite green anyhow..but I have a terrible fear of having my ears touched (very bad phobia) and I am very nervous and mum say´s I am like a coiled spring ready to ping at any one given moment..(I´ve broken 2 leading reins already today).
It is thought (although only I know yet sadly cannot say) that when us youngsters are brought off of the Moors during the annual drifts..we are roughly handled by our ears and tails by strange,strong men whilst being inspected and then branded both on the rump and just above the shoulder area....that is not nice and very traumatic for any foal/yearling,from the wild...so I hate anything fast,rough and rash....it make´s me skitzy to say the least.

I was found a foster home before Mum met me..but they returned me back to the Trust because they couldn´t really handle me..(I am a little Madam) as my Mum say´s..BUT she has vowed that I will never ever return back to the Trust and despite having her work cut out with me over the next few months or so...she is determined that I am her new baby and together we will work things out.....she has already sent a hairsample from me off to her Alternative Therapist Sue Czornenkyj..so that they can start working on my fear,phobias and trauma and give me a general health check too..so once those result´s come back,Mum will post them onto my Blog for those interested to read and she will keep you all updated on my progress throughout.

I am looking forward to learning and in beginning to be able to both trust humans and so bond with them....as so far,I have never ever been able to do that,apart from the kind and dedicated persons at the ´Moorland Mousie Trust´,but other than them..I have had no one really..so I´ve got to learn that it´s a BIG wide world out there and NOT all mankind is cruel,heartless and rough.

Thank´s for reading my story......
´Briar´.

Briar, u is a very pretty girl indeed. I do hope you are making good progress now. xxx

Hi Briar
What a pretty girl you are in your photographs! I am so pleased that you have found a loving home, there is nobody better equipped with love and patience to help you than your Mum and I look forward to reading all about your progress as time goes on!

Lots of love
Kaz xxx