AN equine behaviourist from Bradworthy is gearing up for her island adventure next month.

Prior to setting off on June 1, Emma Massingale spent a day on Dartmoor honing the survival skills she will need in preparation for her solitary month on a remote, uninhabited Irish Island, with just six Connemara ponies for company.

Emma's island destination is a 70-acre wilderness, which does not even have fresh water. During her solitary month there, Emma will have to filter water for drinking. She also takes only basic food supplies, and so will need to either hunt or forage for her food. With no houses on the island, Emma's home will be a tent for the duration.

However, the survival aspects of her sojourn are secondary to Emma's main aim, which is to see if she can take two new, young ponies, purchased from the pony sales at Clifden, Ireland, only days before, and train them to be ridden, using liberty techniques, but no equipment.

This challenge is daunting, as she will be working single handed and will have no facilities, such as stables, a manege or even fields to limit the ponies. However, she is confident that the four Connemara ponies from her existing string who will also be along for the ride, (Atlantis, Nahla, Comet and Calypso), will inspire confidence in the new comers and help them learn by example.

Emma was put through her survival training by ex Marine Richard Pencott, who has also worked supporting the Channel 4 programme The Island With Bear Grylls.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.