Page 12 - Chiron Winter 2020

was to help/assist, not instruct, I found myself more confident as the course progressed.
Some of the course content included basic handling of the animal, veterinary first aid lessons and practical sessions on how to tack up and load the horses correctly including horse husbandry went very well and the students proved to be very receptive.
On the first day the Marines
were a little shaky, which is understandable, and they were nervous around the horses. However, they immediately realised that the horses would pick up on this. As soon as we got into the
field all three ponies had their heads down to the grass and there was nothing the Marines could
do to stop them. However, as the week progressed and the students’ confidence grew, they were able to pick up on the signals before the ponies tried pushing their luck.
I was subsequently asked to assist on the second course, but this time
I was more than happy to help out again feeling more confident to step in when I spotted faults and I would also allow the Marines the time to try and figure out what to do for themselves.
Both courses consisted of an exercise phase, including an overnight stay at Old Dalby, where the horses happily gorging
‘It was nice to see the Marines handling/ husbandry of the horses improve as the course progressed’
themselves on the grass whilst attached to a picket line which required guarding throughout
the night. A task that the marines thought would find easy, however, Ada proved herself again by starting to wander and being able to walk under the picket line and choose
which side she wanted to be at! From looking at the start of the
course to the end it was amazing to see how 10 intensive days of training improved the students’ confidence. It was nice to see the Marines handling/husbandry of the horses improve as the course progressed. A few Marines even developed bonds with the horses. The Marines had the opportunity to handle each pack horse throughout the course, but they all had their favourites.
We received some excellent feedback from both groups
saying about what the parts they enjoyed and how the course could be improved in future. 12 Royal Marines have been trained since 2019. There is talk of Pack Ponies supporting exercises in the future, allowing the handlers to utilise the capability on the ground. I thoroughly enjoyed my induction to the DATR as a Vet Tech and I would recommend the course to anyone who is interested and keen in working with horses.
Discover Melton Past and Present
Explore the story of Melton and the people who made it their home at the award-winning Melton Carnegie Museum
Displays include three Dickin medals awarded to dogs from the Melton DATR
All visits must be pre-booked.
Please see website for details and opening times
Melton Carnegie Museum, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray LE13 1RB
www.meltonmuseum.org
facebook.com/meltonmuseum twitter.com/LeicsMuseums
10 / Chiron Calling
FREE ENTRY