Part of the reason why Helen wanted to write about ponies is because they all have such different personalities.  They make great book characters as they are so complex and fascinating.  As she's experienced lots of different horses and ponies over the years, she realised that understanding their individual character is so important to developing a bond and partnership with them.  Riders need to learn to understand how to work with, not against, a horse's temperament.  An instructor once told Helen that horses are often doing their best to try and interpret what riders are telling them, even though riders don't always tell them correctly or consistently.  Add to that the fact that some horses are anxious while some are so full of their own self importance they aren't listening anyway, and you can see why the relationship between people and horses is not always an easy one.  But when you start to recognise why they do things - and it's rarely, if never, because they just want to annoy you - and how you can work with them to develop their strengths and nurture their weaknesses, that's when it becomes rewarding!

THE CURRENT SQUAD

Have a look at Helen's little herd of three below 

They'll all end up in a book some day too!  Look out for them.

 MINSTREL BAY

Maddy is the first horse Helen bought for herself: using money given to her for her 21st birthday (she wasn’t expensive!).  Maddy is quite like Pearl: full of personality and mischief.  She has got herself into more trouble over the years than all the rest of the horses put together.  Maddy enjoyed Riding Club activities for many years and has done everything from British Eventing to Pony Club games.  She was a real fun horse who even showed Helen's dad the competition ropes when he was in his sixties!  She had to stop competing in 2013 due to arthritis and is now semi-retired but still enjoys hacking out.   She likes playing with her stable door but dislikes having her girth done up or having a fuss made.  She does a mean headbutt if you get too close to her and you've got to watch your toes when tightening her girth!

COLEHILL

 Charlie, AKA the Ginger Tank had a career as a show horse before he came to Helen in 2013.   She can still remember the first time she saw him and she just thought WOW!  He's a handsome guy with huge presence and often turns heads when he's out and about!
He's got two sides to his personality: in the field and stable he's quiet and a big softy who loves kisses and cuddles but as soon as a rider gets on board, he turns into a rocket launcher!
He thinks he’s a racehorse but was sadly born into the body of a draft horse instead of a Thoroughbred!  He loves jumping, beach rides and charging about on cross country courses.  Oh, and eating!  He dislikes being told what to do as he's in charge (so he thinks).

HOLLYHILL MINSTREL

Holly is the newest member of the herd (since 2015).  She was bought, aged 8, having done very little, to be a hack for Helen's dad as it looked like Maddy was going to have to retire.  She's a sweet, sensitive girl who can be a bit anxious but she's also fun, feisty and fearless!  A bit of an odd combination!  She's  been out to a few competitions and her show name is a combination of her own plus Maddy's and Charlie's show names.  She likes pulling funny faces and playing in water.  She dislikes the dentist.