A COLLYTOWN miniature pony herd is growing — in numbers!
The first miniature Shetland ponies of the year were born recently at Maine Farm, Collytown, near Bere Alston. Alyson Blamey, who runs the 30-pony farm, says seven more are expected shortly, although it is difficult to say exactly when as they are 'unpredictable'.
First to make her appearance was black and white Collytown Gypsy Girl, who weighed in at eight pounds and stood 14ins high. She was followed fewer than four hours later by Collytown Mercedes, a chestnut of seven pounds and a mere 12inches high.
'The herd was only started a couple of years ago when we bought the first miniature pony — a black colt — to keep my daughter's Welsh mare company. He went on to become a champion. Then I bought another at auction because I felt sorry for it, and things have grown from there,' Alyson said.
'Most of the ponies have been bought because they were poorly or unkempt and I took pity on them! But we have been lucky and had several champions from them,' she added.
Miniature Shetland ponies only grow to 34 inches and they are now more popular than the slightly taller standard Shetlands. They can be ridden or used to pull a trap and are 'all muscle and incredibly strong'.
Alyson hopes Collytown Mercedes might make it success for two sisters on the trot, as her older sister was champion foal at many of the region's agricultural shows last year.