End of an era at Eriska

It is now over 35 years since my uncle George first arrived at eriska towing a horse-box with the first arrivals on Eriska from his trekking stable outside Edinburgh. My father always told the story that he was asked to look after a few extra Icelandic Ponies for a short spell- a wee holiday- while they were reorganizing the herds around Scotland. They became such firm favorites and were lent out to guests for riding that he agreed to keep a small number on a permanent loan.

This all seemed sensible and after a brief peak a stable number around 5 was suggested. However by chance or design a stallion was slipped into the five and we soon started to grow the numbers until the reasons for increase was spotted and removed back to the Pentlands. They did however have a great life living all over the island and being used for "light trekking" indeed I remember when they lived at the back door of the house and I would often catch one and ride it up to the main house in the morning where it was left for the guest to use until lunch time when I would ride it back home again!

They were all real characters and really well suited to Eriska. the grass was always abundant and they lived outside all year round. there were many wonderful tales but I always remmebr watching guests departing from the stables with animals they called stubborn who would take them where only the ponies wanted to go and then as soon as their heads were pointed for home they would speed up and head back.

My mother remembers the foals we had and the fact that they used to lie in the sunshine by the Tennis court and play around but as soon as guest passed by they would stand ready for  apples and carrots by the fence. Anyway we had many happy years and as the herd dwindled we gave them company with other horses but in truth they were never as happy as they were when we had a large number roaming the island but it was then really a Ponies playground.

Anyway yesterday the last of the line, Ethan, passed away aged 36, whilst the end of an era it was also definite a chance to reminisce about all the great time we have had with them and the many characters they were. they will be missed but not forgotten!.