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Grazing the heath at Beagles |
The National Trust has had ponies here on the Lizard for over 20 years, grazing
the coastal heaths and grasslands for the benefit of wildlife. Our original
herd, now aged over 30, is still going strong, proving a life of sea air does
you good! These purebred Shetland ponies came to us from Arlington Court, a
National Trust estate in north Devon, where some of their old pals still live
today.
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Taking it easy on a sunny day at Chynalls Point |
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Chough benefit from coastal grazing |
This herd numbers 5, and they are kept busy year round
grazing our cliffs. The ponies rotate around the 3 sites we manage in-hand,
namely the cliffs between Poltesco and Cadgwith, the promontory fort at
Chynalls Point, Coverack, and the heath at Beagles, near Black Head. The ponies do an excellent job of managing
these Sites of Special Scientific Interest, by keeping the coarser grasses in
check, and providing space for
smaller plants to thrive, including some of our
Lizard botanical rarities, like twin headed clover and dwarf rush. The chough also benefit from grazing, as they need the grass to be short enough for them
to be able to probe the ground with their red beaks for invertebrates, and the dung
also provides a welcome source of grubs. We’ve been treated to the fantastic
sight of chough in amongst the grazing ponies at Enys Head, and it’s always worth
listening out for their call on the cliffs.
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Having their feet trimmed by the farrier |
The ponies are sure footed and hardy, and they thrive in
these tough habitats. In fact the biggest health risk to them is associated
with them eating too much rich grass, which is most likely in Spring or Autumn.
Laminitis is a painful hoof condition, which can lead to lameness, so we need
to keep them on tight rations to avoid this. Shetlands like their food, and
would balloon to be rotund if given half the chance!
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Encounters with the equine dentist Photo M Hirst |
Our herd gets an annual vet inspection, when their weight
and teeth are checked, and they are wormed if necessary, and their feet trimmed
by a farrier. Occasionally a visit by the equine dentist is required to correct
tooth overgrowth. The industrial looking files are enough to put us all off the
dentist forever!
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Conservation grazing is no laughing matter! |
The ponies are checked daily, and we thank our
dedicated pony volunteers for their help with this task throughout the year. The
only time we give them any additional food is to coax them with a bucket of
nuts when we want to move them. If you meet the ponies out and about, please
don’t feed them, as too much contact could teach them to pester people
in the hope of an apple. They don’t mind having their photo taken though, so
feel free to snap away!
Rachel