“Y” indeed?
Others’ comments and thoughts –
“Too small”. “You can’t ride them”. “They just eat their “fool” heads off”. “They are expensive”. “They aren’t the right “status symbol””. They don’t “do anything”.
My comments and thoughts –
Yes, they are “small” (but remember, ponies come in a variety of sizes and some are as large as horses).
- Not too small but just the right, custom fit.
- Small enough for me to hold in my arms at birth and still lift and move them now that I’m older.
- Small enough for the tiniest child to look at with delight – realizing that they are the “same size”.
- Small enough to teach our grand children how to handle their first equines in a size they can care for – just as our daughters learned.
- Small enough for me to haul a “group” to events – often by myself – quite easily.
- Small enough to share in a “home” for special needs residents.
No, I personally can’t ride them. But then, I’ve had issues with riding for years now (hips while in the saddle, knees & ankles while mounting & dismounting).
- So, I lead them as I walk for exercise.
- I groom them – their smaller size is easier to clean and manage than a full size horse.
- We drive them – single to a cart, as a pair to a wagon or carriage. It is a great and fun challenge to learn to handle multiple ponies while they pull you about!
- They disk our pasture and our garden.
- They provide manageable amounts of fertilizer.
- They make me smile as I wonder about the next Pony Adventure.
They “eat their heads off”? Well, no more so than full size horses and they certainly eat less!
Yes, they can be expensive.
- Then again, so is ANY sport or hobby these days!
- Just purchasing your own book – WOW. I can purchase many pony care items for much less than an average book – that I might never read again.
- Since ponies eat less, take less room to keep/maintain, use less products for their care – overall, they cost less then their full size counterparts.
Status symbol? Are you sure they aren’t one? They certainly think they are!
They do MANY THINGS FOR ME.
- They make me smile.
- They keep my mind engaged with all their pure and simple games and fun.
- Keep my mind nimble with their constant curiosity and “get into everything” nature.
- A hand warmer when it’s cold out – I bury my hands under their mane or furrow fingers into their heavy “fur”.
- They bring joy to my day – even when it’s raining or grey outside.
- Easy to handle and work with as I get older and “less fit”.
- Help to keep me fit, by making me continue to care for them.
- Give me reasons to get out of bed every morning.
Have you hugged your pony today?
Or as Larry likes to do – have you “poked” your pony today (he chants… “I touched your butt”)?
Have you been hugged by your pony today?