Pony up (beginnings as a horse enthusiast)

Dad used to take my sister and brother and I horse riding when we were kids. I expect it was because I loved horses from an early age. Had all the big picture books. Posters on the wall. Always wanted a pony.

I would hassle him into it.

In those days folk would have a bunch of horses on a big block of land and he would pay some money, be ‘matched’ with a horse (the only test was: “how well do you ride?”) and then on horseback we would just follow each other around the paddock.

No clue how to ride. No lessons. No helmets. No rules.

The tack was cheap rubbish. Sometimes the gear wasn’t on properly. Saddles not on tight enough. We didn’t care. Didn’t care about falling off either. Had no fear.

Just wanted to be with the horses.

He promised me a horse once. A conditional promise of course…if there was somewhere to keep it. There never was.

I bought my first horse when I was in my 40s. A lovely chestnut mare. Her name was ‘Sis’. I called her ‘Sisteen’. She was well schooled and generally well behaved. She was lucky enough to have been loved and looked after before she came to live with me. Her owner had been injured and couldn’t ride anymore.

After Sisteen came ‘Kim’ a little black Shetland. She had been living on a property with about 20 others all packed onto a dirt paddock. Shameful. Disgraceful treatment.

Kim looking pretty sad and terrible. And with a shocking haircut!

She arrived skinny, covered in lice and full of worms. Fixed that up pretty quickly although it took three wormings to clean her system of the horrid creatures.

Then came Molly a gentle grey giant. A Clydesdale who had lived god-knows what life.

She was on a property up north surrounded by dust and heat and crazy cowboys. Completely out of place. They said they had her for the kids. Maybe they did. They also said she was about 13 but the Vet later said she was in her 20s. Apart from the deception I didnt care. She was lovely. Sweet and kind.

Sisteen ruled the gang. Pushed them around at feed time. Ears back.

Kim and Molly buddied up. Always together. Looked after each other.

Soon realised they were not going anywhere.

Sisteen and Kim