I was walking on Dartmoor today and noticed a pony roll over on his back, about forty yards from the path I was on, above Dartmeet, not far from Yar Tor. “Hello!” I said to him, in the fake posh voice I always use when speaking to ponies and horses. I assumed he was just rolling in the sunlight for fun, but noticed him kick his legs a few times, so went over and took a closer look. He seemed very still, and, as I got nearer to him, his legs stayed in the air, and he still didn’t move. I watched for a few minutes longer and got close to him but he didn’t seem at all affected by my presence. He kicked his legs again one more time, but stayed in the same position, breathing heavily, and I started to worry about him. Fortunately, I was in one of the few spots on Dartmoor where my phone gets reception and – with not a lot of help from 118, who initially put me through to the Dartmoor National Park fax number – managed to get in touch with a lady called Karla, who works for Dartmoor Livestock Protection. Karla thought, due to the position of the pony’s legs, it sounded like he might be ill or in trouble. I gave her the map reference and she sent a local farmer out to check on the pony.
I had to rush home by this point but I asked Karla to let me know if the pony was okay. When I was back in an area with more phone reception, I forwarded a photo I’d taken of the pony. Not long afterwards Karla called to tell me that a farmer had been out and discovered something I’d not suspected, even from a few feet away: the pony had in fact got its back trapped between two rocks. The farmer had helped him up, and he was now back upright again, helpfully chewing on the heather* with some of his friends.
I wondered if I should have noticed the pony’s exact predicament, but it was hard to see that he was trapped: it’s not exactly clear, even from my cameraphone shot. “Perhaps I should have been braver, and given the pony a nudge?” I asked myself, but I think, being far from an expert in equine matters, I probably did the right thing. I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how lovely the ponies on Dartmoor are – even the one who chewed off part of my car’s steering wheel in 2002 – and wishing drivers would take better care, and keep them in mind, when driving across the moor, so it was especially nice to do one of them a little favour.
*Good fact I learned recently: because ponies do this, Dartmoor has more butterflies.
I think you probably made the right choice. An animal stuck between something could get hurt by someone pulling them out. It's a better chance someone who is used to a pony would be able to pull them out and do less damage.
Good on you for calling, though.
And yet another good reason for taking an OS map on walks and knowing how to use it. If you hadn't been able to give a grid reference, what would you have done, given that most of the distinguishing features in the area appear to be rocks…
That pony was lucky you were there to see his predicament. You were smart not to get any closer. He might have kicked and hurt you very badly. It's so great that this story has a happy ending.
Well done, Tom – good man, that man!
You did exactly the right thing. Poor pony was definitely in trouble – no horse should be on his back like that. Glad there's a happy ending.
Well done Tom. It's a pity not everyone cares as much as you obviously do.
As someone without horse experience, you totally did the right thing. Good on you :-).
Hey, can you add a non-google plus follow button or follow by email widget? I didn't realize you had a blog. Love your Twitter feed and have enjoyed your books!
You did exactly the right thing. I'm sure he is back frolicking with his friends and very grateful for a human stranger with a kind heart.