The Dartmoor Journal: November 2006

So much has been happening down here on the farm in the last few weeks, it is hard to know where to start.

The annual pony drift saw our combined herds of Dartmoor Hill Ponies and pure bred Dartmoors produce a total progeny this year of 12 foals. I took a few to the Chagford Pony Sale which was surprisingly well attended and encouraging to see the prices of ponies increasing again. All 400 or so that were entered sold and although the highest prices were reserved for the coloured stock, there were healthy amounts to be had for the native types too. I did find the whole process of going to the sale and entering the ring with them very un-nerving and not an entirely pleasant experience because you didn’t know who was bidding and who ended up buying the stock. In future, I will try and sell any stock privately once handled.

We had a “pony handling” few days a couple of weeks ago with Ian Anderson and I was very impressed how he took a herd of wild ponies and one by one encouraged their trust and gradually got them used to being handled and walking with a head-collar. By the end of the first day we had 7 in head collars, walking and having hooves picked out and loading on to a trailer. As they had only been weaned a few weeks earlier this was a result.

They all have a lovely nature and after some frantic whinnying for the first few nights away from their mums, they have quietened down nicely now. I have loaned one of the hill pony foals to the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust so he can be used in their education programmes. Our calves from this year have also moved off down the valley now to be wintered and finished so the fields have a chance to recover a bit now.

We have had a frenzied farrowing few weeks with the pigs; over 60 piglets being born, so lots for the cottage guests to see.

Talking of pigs, I was fascinated to watch a good example of “teamwork” last weekend when out for a walk. In the distance I could see clods of earth being hurled in the air and on closer inspection I could see they eminated from a pig that had escaped from “Pig Heaven”. Tootling along quite happily behind him and picking up the worms and grubs that had been unearthed was a huge buzzard. The pair of them were working the field oblivious to my presence with barely a foot in distance between them. Extraordinary sight.

We have been madly plucking pheasants and partridge this week as the first 100 birds came in off our nearby shoot. It really is the short straw for this job and with the same number coming in every week now until the end of the season I can see us looking for a market for the feathers; any ideas ?

With our meat delivery service Tor to Tor, we have just launched a selection of Meat Boxes; from £80 for 10 kgs of farm fresh Dartmoor bred and fed Beef, Pork and Lamb, including Delivery. We have also been offered some excellent Turkeys that have also been bred on Dartmoor so are gearing up for Christmas orders.

George is now settled well into the Walled Garden at Holne Chase with his collection of Eagles and Hawks. They have all got very smart pens with their names carved above and seem very at home there in amongst the towering woodland that surrounds the garden. Because George trains the birds on the lawns every morning it is a great way to encourage guests to have a try themselves and book a half day experience or a Night Owl walk. We have high hopes for this activity really taking off now.

Labels: Autumn, Dartmoor, pony