Long Ash, Copperfield & Yelverton Aerodrome Ponies

We have been receiving numerous calls regarding thin ponies in the Long Ash, Copperfield and Yelverton Aerodrome areas. We do respond to all calls and monitor the ponies in these areas on a regular basis.

We are seeing more thin ponies this year and we are sure it is due to the exceptionally long and wet winter we experienced, we are almost in May and the spring growth still hasn't started. The grass has been grazed right down and any new growth is being eaten away quickly.

Any ponies we have concerns about are reported to their owners, one owner in particular will remove any very poor looking ponies we report to him and this same owner is out feeding the ponies of these areas, along with Roborough Down and Burrator Rock, a number of times each day. Our welfare assistant came across one of these feeding areas and whilst a group of 28 ponies were munching away on the hay the farmer arrived with another load of hay. This owner was not aware a member of our staff was out there but was happy to stop and chat. They explained that not only do they feed their ponies, but they end up feeding all the ponies in these areas; ponies that are owned by other people. This particular owner does not get paid by the other owners and he pays for all his own diesel.

We will, of course, carry on monitoring the ponies and with luck the spring grass will come through and the ponies will start filling out. Please do not hesitate to call us with any concerns, however please be assured we are continuously monitoring the situation and in regular contact with the owners.