Ponies are cute. So are babies. They’re cute so that when they don’t act like mature adults, we still manage to like them. A lot.
Many of us learned to ride on a pony. They tend to be agile, capable, cooperative little creatures. When you fall off, and new riders always will, you are close to the ground.
But even babies aren’t so cute when they drop a cell phone into a public toilet. Likewise, the pony, when he or she has learned a trick or two.
There’s a saying that goes something like this, “With a gelding you tell, with a mare you ask, and with a pony you pray.” Horses don’t agree. They have a soft spot for ponies.
At the racetrack a pony will often escort the thoroughbred to the starting gate. The pony acts as a sort of security blanket.
Years ago, at our barn, a rider showed up one wintery morning with a freshly retired O.T.T.B. The off track thoroughbred was nervous, the whites of his eyes rimmed wide. But when Joey strolled in, feeling no need to hasten his pace, the new horse visibly relaxed.
At turnout, the pony may quickly become the pet of the pasture. I’ve seen horses vie for their attention, posture to protect them, and gaze in admiration when they turn on a dime and gallop along the fence line.
Pony antics notwithstanding, ponies are cute.
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