PONIES
At present the Group has 10 ponies. Each pony is special and they all have their own personality, strengths and weaknesses. Some ponies will tolerate a 'fidgety' rider while others can be trusted when a rider is progressing off the lead rein. All are totally trustworthy for stable management. A pony must be 'forward going' without the risk of taking off uncontrollably. Some of our ponies recognise the verbal commands of 'walk on' or 'trot' which can be an advantage for the weaker riders.

Jewel (top) is the cheeky member of the herd. Helpers either love him or hate him. He is very special to us as he is Gemma's son and when he was born caused great excitement and gave pleasure to many. When he was 4 he was sent away for professional backing and has performed his RDA duties ever since. He is now 18 years old. He does not like his personal space invaded and on occasion can try to swing his hindqaurters into his side walker. A stern reprimand solves the problem.

Jura has been with the group for 17 years. He is a 21 year-old, 13.2hh Eriskay Pony. This very rare breed is renowned for being sensible yet active. He loves his RDA work, has an inquisitive nature and is always looking for attention!

Tim (middle) is now on permanent loan to the group and is a 14 year old, bay cob type gelding. Although he had not done RDA work in the past he has proved himself to be reliable, trustworthy and an important part of the team. He has an endearing appearance and temperament and is always eager to please!

Mary is a a 15.2hh Irish Draught horse. She is 15 years old. Mary is one of the very best horses for teaching stable management as her stable manners are brilliant. She will lift and hold her foot up to allow youngsters to learn to pick feet out, she loves to be groomed, clipped and bathed. Before Mary came to Ravelrig 8 years ago she was a competition horse but has settled well and is now carrying out her RDA work really well and is an important part of the Group. She is suitable for both the more advanced rider and the complete novice. She has a huge jump and a wonderful balanced movement. The farrier says she is the best in the yard to shoe.

Roman has been with the Group for about 15 months and has settled well and is a valued member of the Group. He is nine years old and about 13.2 and when out hacking, attracts attention with his big panda like eyes, long mane and forelock and very hairy legs. Little tiny children can ride him safely but small adults also find him very comfortable.

Kiwi joined the Group in January 07 as a 9 year old. He is absolutely gorgeous and everyone has fallen in love with him. He has presented no problems and is carrying out his RDA work to perfection, and is helping out with some of his "back riding" (riding without a saddle) work.

Marigold is an 11.2h, 13 year old Welsh Section A, who is on loan to Ravelrig RDA after her riders out grew her. She has been shown In Hand and also in Lead Rein classes since the age of 3. Her showing experience makes her a natural extrovert and she loves being groomed and pampered. A confident, willing pony she readily takes the lead on a hack or in the school setting a jaunty pace.

Marigold has an inquisitive cheeky manner. Whilst on her way to shows Marigold has managed to escape from the rear of the horse lorry and has been found in the living area behind the drivers cab. Maybe she was desperate to join the driver in the cab? Anyone transporting Marigold has been given the instruction to tie her securely with two ropes before travelling.

Paco (bottom) is an 8 year old Irish Sport Horse and has been with the Group since he was four. He is a real character, just full of mischief.
He had settled well and was beginning to make real progress when, in the Spring, he stood on a nail that penetrated two inches into the frog.
He was in the Bush for weeks and weeks and twice the foot became infected and there was a big question mark about his future, but Sarah, his vet said she was not going to give up on him. All the grooms at the Bush loved him and had mixed feelings when he was discharged.
Although not 100 per cent sound, he is continuing to make slow progress, and under vet instructions, is now being ridden.

Buddie was bought from a grant made by Radio Forth and he has now been with the Group several months and has settled in well. He was very respectful of the other horses when turned out initially, but is now gaining in confidence and working his way up the pecking order.

RDA work has not been a problem to him. Initially he was anxious when at the mounting ramp, seemed baffled that we were higher than him, but this he has now accepted until our Open Day when everything just got too much for him. Since that day he is very apprehensive of the ramp and work is being done to restore his confidence and we are slowly making progress. His in hand work is very good, and as he is quick to learn, will no doubt shortly understand the verbal commands of walk on, trot and canter, which is a decided advantage to the riders with weaker leg aids.

Buddie was bought as a replacement for our dear old friend Chivas, and it is spine chilling how similar they are in appearance. To see Buddie looking out of his stable is like turning the clock back, he is so like Chivas, especially around the eyes and they have similar temperaments. He is much loved by all the helpers and is in constant demand by the riders.

Murphy has been such a gift, literally. A phone call was received one Saturday morning from Julie Ross saying she had a horse she wished to gift to RDA. As we did have a vacancy for another horse the offer was pursued and we went to see him that afternoon. Julie had inherited Murphy but as he was not her 'type' of horse, she had decided to re-home him and thought he would make a good RDA horse. He is 16.1, 10 years old and somewhat overweight, very unfit, and in Julie's words needed to learn some manners. Ponies and horses take several months to settle and sometimes it becomes obvious that they are not suited to RDA work and have to move on. A deal was struck that if this should happen with Murphy, Julie would want him returned to her. For us it was a win/win situation.

Julie asked that we give her a few hours to enable her to make enquiries about Ravelrig before deciding that Murphy should join us. It was an anxious wait as we felt he could be ideal for some of our taller or heavier riders. Julie's decision went in our favour and we arranged to pick him up the next day with Julie coming to see him in his new environment.

While putting him in the trailer his lack of manners came to the fore when he took off and made for the nearest lush grass. He calmly re-loaded, travelled really well and stood quietly in the trailer at Ravelrig while we all had a cup of coffee.

He has settled really well, has lost some weight and is building up his fitness levels. His manners have improved and we question how we managed without him for RDA as he can comfortably carry the very tall or heavier riders. Helpers love him and he has entered a couple of dressage competitions, not disgracing himself but not in the rosettes yet!

He is working really, really well and inspires confidence in the riders. Some, who have struggled to get off the lead rein, are now riding independently, others have the comfort of riding a horse big enough to take their height or weight, and the helpers are enjoying improving his fitness levels. As he has been with us for a relatively short period we do accept that we could still be in the honeymoon period, but we are feeling quietly confident and hopefully he will spend many happy years at Ravelrig - and Julie - not only did she give us a great horse, we've got a new friend.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN section to be updated shortly