Memories of My First Pony
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After going through some old photos recently, I was reminded of my very first pony. Her name was Dolly. She was a small grey pony, not particularly kind to children or well trained. I was about four or five when I got her, and basically, I was let loose to ride barefoot and helmet-less wherever I wanted on the farm. Dolly was a 'typical pony'. Like most ponies, she was smarter than your average five-year-old. So while I have memories of this and subsequent ponies, I can't really describe them as fond memories.
I rode Dolly bareback around the house and barn. At the time, my family was farming and irrigation pipes were laid here and there around the fields. The pipes were about six inches high. I remember being terrified of 'jumping' my pony over these formidable obstacles. My legs were short enough too, that if my pony was at the far end of her two-acre paddock, I would wait until she came closer, because otherwise, it seemed just too far to walk to catch her.
For reasons I don't really remember, but might have had something to do with the number of times I came in crying because I had fallen off, Dolly was sold. Shortly thereafter, I received a new pony. I remember visiting the farm she lived on, and meeting the little girl who owned her. As the adults took care of the business part of the deal, we sat hidden in a manger. The little girl solemnly confided to me that although the pony was called Dorothy, her real name was Royal Warrior. I was very impressed. This sounded like a very important and glamorous name. Had my parents heard the name, they might have taken it as a warning.
As it turned out, Royal Warrior aka Dorothy was somewhat of a stealthy guerrilla style fighter. Her enemies: all humans, including small children who tried to ride her. Dorothy had some very effective tactics. She was pro at rooting—that manoeuvre where a pony pulls the reins through the rider's hands, so they lose contact on the bit. Having gained control, she headed for the nearest wall, tree, fence or other structure. Once along side her object of choice, she would attempt to scrape me off, as if I were a pesky mosquito. I vividly remember her sidling alongside a farm wagon and leaning against it, trapping my leg between her fat sides and the rough wood. She then rubbed back and forth, as if I were a bad itch she was trying to rid herself of.
After watching the Disney movie 'Justin Morgan Had a Horse', I wanted a Morgan. So, my mother bought me a palomino Welsh mare named Mitzi G, who was in foal to a Morgan stallion named Skipper Boy. Mitzi was sold shortly after her foal was weaned, as she turned out to be as diabolical as my first two ponies. Her favorite tricks were to run her rider into hawthorn bushes, between close tree trunks or get balky in tricky situations like crossing bridges. But, thank goodness her son, who I named Caramel, was as sweet as his mother was cantankerous, and of whom I have many fond memories.
It might not be that long ago for many of you, but what are your memories of your first pony or horse? |
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