Terror Ponies !

We decided to try our favourite walk up onto the top of The Garrison and back through the camp site - we had nearly reached the gate when the ponies spotted Tilly who was walking a little ahead of us - two of them went straight after her and she kept circling to try to get back to us, but they kept at her so she bolted - fortunately her whistle training was good enough for her to return when called and I tried to get her and Charlie into the gate whilst Jim was fending off the two ponies. Unfortunately the other two spotted me and came straight for poor old Charlie, who was very confused by all the noise. I managed to get both the dogs through the gate and Jim eventually joined me. This was a very frightening experience for all of us and although the signs state that you should let go of the lead if approached I think if our dogs had have been on the lead there could have been injuries or worse, since Charlie is so old. I just can not believe that this is the third year that these nasty animals have been put to graze on this popular spot. They are not fit for purpose and are only suitable for properly enclosed fields.

Jim was determined to get these photos, even though he was right in their path and they eventually cornered him. He got away by throwing Charlie's rope lead at one of them, who backed off enough for him to be able to reach the gate !