Devon County Show - Horse whisperer works with Dartmoor Hill ponies

A Tennessee horse whisperer is coming to the UK to work his magic with Dartmoor ponies at the Devon County Show, May 19-21.

Mike Branch will demonstrate his style of training, as practised by Native Americans, with ponies provided by Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony.

The technique he uses is natural horsemanship and doesn’t 'break' the animals.

He said: "What we try to do is develop a communication with the horse so that the horse understands, just from our body language, our cues and signals that we send, what we're asking of it.”

Mike formed the Wild Horse Exchange Programme after meeting champions of Dartmoor and Exmoor ponies. The programme shares expertise and ideas among wild horse and pony enthusiasts.

Mike added: "I have an extreme passion for wild horses in general, the Dartmoor being one of them. It’s one of my lifetime goals to create a better understanding, not only for myself, of these magnificent creatures, but also to share my discoveries with the general human population of equine enthusiasts.

“I have found too many people who have a misconception of the wild horse (usually through a lack of understanding or education), and therefore are unwilling to adopt or purchase one for their own.”

Charlotte Faulkner of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association said: “This is a very exciting project enabling us to show the magic of taking a wild pony to a wonderful tame one. It really is an incredible experience."

 The Devon County Show, now in its 116th year, boasts livestock, food and drink, a flower and garden marquee and lots of family entertainment on the 93 acre site.

Entertainment includes the dare-devil Bolddog Lings motorcycle display team, a team of paramotors (powered parachute pilots) performing ‘For Your Eyes Only’,  a James Bond-style show and a 7-aside rugby tournament in the Sainsbury’s Arena.

Devon County Show is on May 19-21 at Westpoint, Exeter and children go free on Saturday when accompanied by an adult. For more information ring 01392 353700, email info@dcshow.org or www.devoncountyshow.co.uk

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www.friendsofthedartmoorhillpony.co.uk