Welsh Mountain pony Summer is back in action after an accident while travelling in a trailer left her injured and very traumatised.

Readers may remember that Summer, whose owners the Lumsden family live in Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, was receiving help to overcome her travelling phobia once the physical wounds had healed.

The eight-year-old pony was travelling in a trailer when overhanging branches clattered against the outside of the box and scared her to such an extent that she fell.

On the way to the local vet hospital where serious cuts could be treated, she kicked back at the jockey door, trapping a hind leg, which was severely lacerated. It was four months before the injury was healed enough for Summer to begin work again.

Her owners, mum and dad Louise and Barry and their 10-year-old daughter Molly quickly realised that Summer was too frightened to travel.

Although she trusted Louise enough to follow her into the trailer, she would shake and show the whites of her eyes and was tense and very difficult to handle. Summer was desperate to get out again and after she flattened Louise one day when exploding down the ramp, the family decided help was needed.

They called in Intelligent Horsemanship associate Adam Goodfellow, from Cirencester, who showed them how to improve Summer's rude behaviour on the ground and to earn her trust and respect.

Over several sessions with Adam this spring, the pony gradually became easier to handle, and more relaxed in the trailer.

Eventually, in June, Summer went for her first trip in the trailer and the family haven't looked back.

To help Summer relax, Louise also booked a few sessions with Reiki healer Jean Foley, who lives nearby at Coalpit Heath and keeps her horse at the same yard, Lydes Farm, just outside Chipping Sodbury. Reiki is a hands-on healing technique which Jean says helps the body to regulate and heal itself. The patient feels heat and tingling to start with, which can sometimes be a little alarming for a horse, but Jean says they usually settle into a state of deep relaxation – and Summer was no exception.

Former vet nurse Jean also uses aloe vera products on horses, and Summer was given some in her feed to complement medication from the vet that she was receiving at the time for ulcers, which are associated with stress.

"Summer was very nervous and anxious to start with, then responded well," said Jean.

"She felt quite nervous in the stable and in the trailer and I helped her emotionally and physically to cope.

"Louise was finding loading very stressful too, and I gave her a session so that Summer isn't now feeding off her anxiety."

Now armed with the tools to load and travel Summer without drama, Louise and Molly made great strides forward and are delighted with their progress.

Louise said: "Using Adam Goodfellow's techniques, we continued to load Summer religiously until she found it very boring indeed, and in June our extraordinarily trusting and brave pony allowed us to travel her without event or hesitation.

"It was a very emotional moment for me, and we haven't looked back as Molly has been to Pony Club rallies, camp and competitions every weekend since! She now travels happily alone or with company. We are overjoyed."

Molly added: "It's amazing to have my pony back and travelling so well and to go to events. Mum and I are overwhelmed that Summer enjoys going out and about. She is the best pony ever!"

For more about Adam, see http://www.whisperingback.co.uk or call 01285 831736. To contact Jean, call 07867 525053.