A GROUP of leading equine charities in the South West have launched a new collaborative education series to help people understand what is really involved in taking on a feral or semi‑handled pony.

As part of the collaboration an event is scheduled to take place on October 4 at The HUGS Foundation’s site near Bodmin in Cornwall.

The Feral Pony Behaviour and Training series, led by the British Horse Society (BHS), brings together The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust and The HUGS Foundation, alongside vets, farriers, behaviourists and BHS Accredited Professional Coaches.

Two other events are linked to the one in Bodmin, taking place on Dartmoor and Totnes. They are aimed at anyone who is thinking about buying, rescuing or retraining a pony, as well as those who already own feral or semi‑handled ponies.

Gemma Stanford, BHS Director of Horse Care and Welfare said: “This series is about putting the pony’s needs at the centre of every decision. We know many people feel drawn to helping feral and semi‑handled ponies, especially around the autumn drift sales, but good intentions aren’t enough on their own.

“Understanding how a feral pony lives on the moor, what changes when they move into a domestic setting, and what that means day to day for the owner is critical. Our aim is simple: understand the pony, prepare the owner, and then support that partnership for the future.

“By bringing charities and professionals together we can give people consistent, practical guidance so that more ponies enjoy a genuinely good quality of life.”

The series comes at a time of heightened public interest in Dartmoor’s ponies and how they are managed, rehomed and cared for once they leave the moor. The charities involved say that education, preparation and realistic expectations are key to preventing welfare problems.

Jana Merrett‑Jones, animal welfare manager at The HUGS Foundation, said: “By working together, charities and professionals can reach more people, share what we have learned and hopefully reduce the number of ponies who end up in crisis. But we’re also keen to highlight the incredible rewards of pony ownership.

“When people take the time to understand feral ponies on their own terms, something special happens. Learning to read their body language, to give them space and to build trust at their pace can be incredibly rewarding. The bond that can grow when a once‑feral pony chooses to trust a person is one of the great joys for anyone who loves animals, but it needs patience, the right set up and good advice.”

Anyone considering taking on a pony, owns a feral or semi‑handled pony, or simply wants to understand more about equine welfare is encouraged to attend, learn, ask questions and become part of a growing community working to improve the lives of ponies across the UK.

Details of the Bodmin event will be published on The Britsh Horse Society's website soon. The events are free for anyone unable to pay, with a suggested donation of either £5 or £10 per event.