“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?