Howdy, Bob
 
 bk> Interesting.. the Shetlands I've seen here are usually a mixture of
 bk> spoiled and ill mannered ponies.  
I think that's more a reflection on the owner. They are a naturally 
stubborn breed and the colts can be especially bolshie. We've got 
four pure-bred (including one miniature). The mini is a real gent,
we've used him to give children ride at various shows, and he's the
perfect people-attractor. Good for getting donations to the charity.
(Unusual to get a horse these days who can earn his keep!) Unfortunately
he's now got cancer, and although he's not yet in pain, his days are
limited.
 >> bk>  do. The problems we had were that the horses spooked.. and when
 >> bk> they  did, they had a tendancy to go straight through the wire. 
 >>  Nasty. What sort of horse? TB type? 
 bk> They were a mixture of TB's, Quarters and some various other breeds. 
Don't often see quarters over here. Lovely looking breed. Must be 
fun to ride - they're pretty powerful aren't they?
 >>  I think the worst problem with leccy fences is when something breaks. 
 bk> I'm sorry Simon.. but I'm not familiar with the term "leccy". 
Sorry - English slang. Means "electrical"
 >>  Had one this week - our biggest field, on a huge hill. Walking all 
 >> around it, testing it. Found the break, then had to trudge all the way 
 >> back down to turn off the fence, all the way back up. Fix it, down
 >> again  turn on. Carry on testing, find another break... A job for two
 >> people,  that. 
 bk> Aha! that's what small tractor's are for.. or a farm truck/car. ;)    
You don't know the Devon hills, or the Devon mud, do you? :)
We've had an exceptionally wet autumn (fall) and there's no way
we can get our landrover into any of the fields. We don't have a 
tractor, but a small one wouldn't hack it either. It would have to
be a large tractor - and that would make even more of a mess in the
fields...
'Tis good ol' Shanks' Pony we rely on at this time of year...
Simon Avery 
... My Lord , I have a cunning plan.
--- Terminate 5.00/Pro*at Dun Testin'
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