Pony “subspecies”

NOTE: This is not a scientific article, but just some reflections from practical work with ponies and kids that, I hope you’ll enjoy reading…

“The” pony in my opinion has gone one step further in the evolution process compared to his big brother horse. They are much smarter, always looking to satisfy their own needs while trying to get rid of all that stands in their way. But to do so, they wait patiently for the right moment, when you at least expect it to come. And typically, they don’t care at all what you or all the others would say.

I like to say that there are 3 “subspecies” of ponies:

1st – a happy infinite eater: he will do anything for a carrot, a goodie, hay or grass, they are usually very nice when working, but don’t expect too much of an action, unless some food is involved. Are you concerned because they are overweight? It doesn’t help, they get fat even by just looking at grass.

2nd – a lovely sweet sunshine: you would love to have this kind of pony in your riding school, they are very patient, good workers, they love kids and love to be brushed or just taken around. They seem to be here with a higher purpose, they are your alliances and friends and they never get bored at taking selfies with kids.

3rd – a wild spirited rebel: you would wish to never meet this kind of pony again, they are big horses’ souls on a mission, trapped in a small body, they are suspicious, always fighting, very clever and fast, their first answer is always “no”, they are talented for many things but it’s difficult to persuade them do something.

You’ve probably already read this saying some where:

»When you want a horse to do something for you …

… say to a gelding.

… talk to a mare.

… ask a stallion.

… pray if it’s a pony.«

 

I dedicate this poem to all the PONIES in the world, to say them a big THANK YOU for the difficult job they are doing – raising the future riders. Imagine what a tough job this could be…

 

SKESSA & TIJA

Čeprav si majhen poni, iz tebe vije veličina, ko tako mirno stojiš ob meni in preneseš prav vse.  Neverjetno je kako majhna si, a hkrati velika. Veliko je tvoje srce polno miline in potrpljenja. Velike so tvoje rjave oči, ki so videle mnogo vsega lepega, in manj lepega. Velika je tvoja prijaznost, ko vedno znova radovedno pogledaš tujca, ki te je prišel spoznat. Tako pogumno stopaš z vsakim korakom, čeprav otrok ne ujame tvojega ritma. Tvoje malo veliko konjsko srce si popolnoma posvetila malčkom, majhnim in velikim. Tako budno paziš nanje in poizkušaš ugotoviti kam želijo iti, ko nerodno, a s trudom potegujejo za vajeti levo in desno. Vsakič znova in znova jim poklanjaš to utripajoče srce, ko ti radostno zapletajo svoje potne ročice v košato grivo. Takrat si srečna in uživaš tudi ti.

Danes zjutraj smo se odpravile na sprehod. Mirno si zibala na svojem hrbtu malo Tijo, ki ji nožice niso segale niti do konca sedelnih kril. Ob zaraščeni steni stare zapuščene hiše so iz kosmatega grmičevja mahale rdeče maline. Jedle smo.

V jutranjem soncu si strpno čakala in mežikala s  prijaznimi, rjavimi  očmi; ena pest zame, ena pest za Tijo in ena zate, draga Skessa, ki si srce sveta. Ko sem tako čepela v grmu in se med trnji stegovala po sladkih malinah sem te uzrla v odsevu razbitega okna, kako mirno, tiho stojiš in čakaš. Čakaš že celo večnost. Čakala si mene, čakaš Tijo in čakala boš čas, ki bo morda spremenil ljudi in odnesel gorje, ki si ga zadajemo sami. Hvaležna za kar prinaša trenutek in brezskrbna za jutrišnji dan.

 

What kind of pony do you have or used to have?