Page 11 - Chiron Winter 2020

Defence Animal Training
Regiment Pack Transportation
Handler Course Sep/Oct 2020
by Private Field
During my first week working at the Defence Animal Regiment (DATR) as a
Veterinary Technician I was asked by my Officer Commanding if I wanted to assist with a Pack Pony course. At this point I had no idea what a Pack Pony was let alone what their role entailed. I was tasked to report to Equine Training Squadron the next day where I was met by Warrant Officer Woolman-Lane, Sgt Baron and three Ponies - Pandora, Sid and Ada.
I was asked if I wanted to assist the course because of my equine background as my gran introduced me into the sport at a young age. When I first set eyes on the tack that was used for the Pack Ponies,
I immediately realised that my previous riding skills would not be of use here! The bridle was now a headcollar with a detachable bit and the pack saddle had three extra straps, including cruppers and a breeching that dates back to the 1940s and a girth that was placed in the middle.
Previous Pack Transportation
courses have been run at DATR
in 2008. One of the objectives of training Pack Ponies was that if
on operations and there were no Helicopter to deliver supplies or cross country vehicle support on mountainous terrain, the Pack Horses would be used for this task, to save the troops having to carry heavy loads over these terrains. Conversely, if there were suitable local animals available, these could also be used to conduct this task for the troops.
The first trial course was run in Melton Mowbray in 2019 consisting of 3 personnel, and the skills learnt were subsequently put into practice to support troops on an exercise in Warminster.
I had two weeks to learn the tack and the ponies’ personalities. Sid (15 hands) is chilled out, bomb proof, but will take advantage and try and eat grass constantly if the handler allows. Pandora (15.2 hands) is spookier, a lot more observant, but when she knows she is working, she’s a star. Ada (13 hands) was relatively new, only arriving at the
DATR three weeks earlier, two of them spent in isolation, she could be cheeky and always thrives attention. She settled in well and always delivers when climbing steep hills rarely putting a foot wrong.
My nerves had the better of me as there were a group of marines of all ranks going to listen to a private who hasn’t even been part of the army for a year? But once I reminded myself that my job there
Chiron Calling / 9