All horses deserve, at least once in their lives, to be loved by a little girl.

Baby Xander's first time to the yard...
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peegee said:
I love this quote, I feel like a little girl when I see my boy.
I bought him last week, I'm 50 and he's my first horse, I've waited for this since I was about 8 years old. In the past the time was never right, recently it dawned on me if I don't do it now I never will and I couldn't bear that.
I am so happy I have a big silly grin most of the time, stupid I know!
I have a lot to learn, but I am lucky to know lots of people who can give me advice and try to keep a straight face when I ask stupid questions.lol!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
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Welcome to the forum! I'm rather like this. I did have a horse when I was a teenager, but then life-threatening illness stopped me going near horses for 35 years.

So here I am again, I've bought my own horse, I'm 55, and I'm just a creakier version of my 15 year old self. And here's me with Mollie. Two middle-aged ladies who both think we're just girls! :D

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I kinda have my own my little pony collection, I have 12. It started with a little gray pony for my little girl, oh what I would do to get on him. Then we got another for my other little girl another gray, he is a Dartmoor hill pony, he adores her so much, he a little s**t at times, but they do love each other. Then I got mine ( jumping up and down) I always wanted a horse, but they cost to much money, time etc etc my mum and dad would say. Well I got my horse as I walked up to him I said to my OH that's him, I could tell. I didn't even ride him my OH did, he is my barbie haflinger. Then came my first foal, stormy. I adore him so much, but my oldest little girl loves him more, so most likely, I will never get to ride him. By this time the bug had got us all, my mum and dad got one, although we look after him, another Dartmoor hill pony, remember horse cost toooo much lol. Along the way I have collected a warmblood, a couple of welsh and some fantastic crosses. All of the are geldings apart from my most wonderful friesian Isis, she is the most special thing in the world, so very different from the boys. I have almost completed my pony collection in my little dream world when she is old enough I will breed from Isis, and have my one little friesian, from birth. As that is the bit we have not done as we have got all the babies at 5 months. If this happens and it is an if I think I am really the luckiest person in the world to be able to have the time and money to be able to share these wonderful animals with my children.
 
ATrueClassAct said:
I was crying at Beeston all day and had to leave the pen area because of the poor horse. There was another gelding aswelk who was atleast in his 30s, he looked like he'd given so many children fun times, but now he just looked ready to give up.
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My daughters first pony came to us at 35 years old having spent hi slife in a riding school. He was very 'shut down' when we got him but soon came out of his shell.
This is him at 40 years old.......
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Oberon said:
I am in my 30s.....but I still 'canter' when no one watches.....when I jump over a puddle on the beach when I'm walking the dogs...I am doing it on a horse in my mind.

I walk along (when no one watches) swinging my head and pretending I am evading the bit.
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I do lateral work round the corridors at work, canter, evade the bit, etc - I'm quite relieved I thought I was just nuts :o
 
Awww awwwww! Isn't he cute! Esp older ponies, they need more than anything someone to love them and keep them warm. (Coming from someone who has two oldies haha)
 
I bought a pony last year for my girls, he was a bag of bones and I felt so sorry for him. After a hard winter he came into the spring and bloomed. He is an old boy, but has more than repayed everything by looking after the girls. He loves walking them round the village, took my older daughter over her first jumps and adores pampering. They worship the ground he walks on which he deserves after a pretty bad spell in his life.

When his life ends we will all be devastated, but I will be comforted to know that at the end he was loved by little girls as he should be.
 
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Al, and her giant horse. He is very much loved and adored by her (and all who meet him- he's a charming fellow!), and he adores her too. If I go into his field and shake a bucket of feed, and she goes in and calls him he'll go to her for kisses and cuddles! And he is the most bottomless pit going when it comes to food!
 
ATrueClassAct said:
The worst I saw was a few weeks back at Beeston market, a mare had been left there and although she wasn't in top condition you could tell once she had been someone's pride and joy. She had her head out, was friendly to everyone who went past. But it was so sad, she didn't have a clue what was going on. And I know they don't actually know but I think some get the jist that not all is well. But this mare looked ljke she was waiting for someone to come back.
Hurts knowing that she was probably someone's life.
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Oh God! Crying now :(
I went to the sales once and saw a pony just like this. There was a photoboard next to her stall, showing pics of her jumping and winning rosettes with a little girl. Just about broke my heart. I would never go to a sale again.
 
This is such a lovely thread. All ponies (and horses) need to be loved!

I was told as a little girl that ponies don't understand love and don't want/need it, which actually quite upset 6 year old me, but then I got my own pony and was immediately convinced that the riding school instructor who told me that was definitely wrong! I still have this little pony and tell him everyday that I love him. He knows it :)


As a complete aside...


FionaM12 said:
I'm 55, and I'm just a creakier version of my 15 year old self. And here's me with Mollie. Two middle-aged ladies who both think we're just girls! :D

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You're never 55!
 
There are some ponies who are loved by little boys too.
Going to view a horse at JP Sheffield's rather stunning yard a few years ago, I spied a small old grey pony grazing in a paddock near the menage. Curious to know why he was there amongst some rather grand equines, I was told he was JP's much loved first pony.
I was touched to see his childhood pony having a home for life and so well cared for.
 
Thank you for your welcome Fiona,
I'm glad I'm not the only creaky one on here! Horses didn't seem so tall when I was a teen.
I've been lurking around on here for a few months picking up lots of tips, I just couldn't resist posting on this. :D
 
As you will see it is the quote on my signature, I dreamt of my own horse for 30 odd year, so although I was 37 when I got him I still feel like a little girl when I'm with him as he truly is my dream come true :)
 
firewell said:
My mums new ex-racer is 9 and although he has never been mistreated ect he was bred to do a job and it's clear he has never had anyone love him.
He's a very well behaved, well mannered boy but he is emotionally very withdrawn, he's quiet and shy and nervous. He doesnt know what a treat is and if you go to hug him or stroke him he flinches away.
We've had him a couple of months now and despite being a more mature lady my mum is definitely his first little girl to love him and his sweet little character is starting to come out.

My horse on the other hand although an ex-racer only raced once and was trained by his owner. I got him as a 4yr old and I'm his girl that adores him to death. He is totally different to my mums horse, he is self confident, happy and has the biggest character going, he assumes everyone loves him and he's very 'me. Attention.now', he oozes the fact he's adored out of every pore and is he is happy in who he is.

I think it's sad how the horses who are treated as numbers shut down but then again quite often they don't mind as they don't know anything different, as long as they get fed and have equine company they know their place :(.
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I have exactly the same - my 14 yr old mare is like your mums boy- ex eventer, quiet, shy but very well mannered, does everything asked of her, never puts her ears back or complains. She has been with me for 2 years now but still will flinch if I move too quickly near her. However she adores my two young children and loves cuddles and brushing by them as if she never had that before. I dont think she or any horse knows what love is but I wish I could tell her that she could trust me and I am doing everything to make her happy and safe.

My young gypsy cob on the other hand was left tied to a lamp post and probably was never loved in his early years is confident, happy, extrovert, gregarious - like a big bounding happy labrador really.
 
I love this quote. :) I'm proud to say that all of mine are very much loved by me and my mum. What I always find sad is when you look into a horse's eyes and you can see fear or mistrust - it gives you a little glimpse into their past and shows you that at some point during their lives, they haven't had it easy. Regaining that trust, and seeing the trust reappear in their eyes is the most rewarding experience ever though!
 
I think love often helps a horse, more than drugs and other things.

When Ned arrived, you could see in his eyes that he was depressed and generally upset about everything. He'd turn away from you if you came up to the fence and just stood watching other horses eat, while he had nothing. Even if you put him alone with food...nothing. Although he got very good care, he was just one of many other horses.
When me and another person took a special interest in him, he really blossomed. He started eating, put on weight and will watch you over the fence! His eyes have got brighter and kinder and he LOVES a cuddle ^^

Before and After ^^
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Note: I also 'spook' at things and take a VERY good look before I jump down anything. And of course I won't jump anything without correct striding and often refuse :P
 
My last time at the sales I ended up bringing one home. I call her my Bealieu Road Accident :) I was just walking round the pens and she caught my eye, bright chestnut with flaxen mane and tail looking very sad in the corner on her own. The agister told me that although they think they know who owned her, he wouldn't claim her so she didn't have any papers (she doesn't have a brand either). It was pretty obvious where a well covered, unregistered forest pony would end up :(

I made a note of her number and came back to the sales a couple hours later. Watching some of the registered ponies go through for penuts spurred me on to get a bidding card. I remember her comming in to that ring and stopping just in front of where I was sitting. A few bids later she was mine for just over £100 :)

She was very nervous, completely unhandled and very untrusting. After the first couple days she turned a little nasty, lunging and turning her bottom at me. Couldn't blame her, she's had to look after herself for the past 4 years. With a lot of work and patience she came round to the idea that people arn't all that bad, especially when they have a bucket of feed. She's now broken in and is the most incredible little pony to ride. She has been a joy to bring on and I intend to continue her education until she is ready to go to 'a little girl/boy' to be their best friend. Then I will go back to the sales and get another and do the same. Because everyone of those ponies has the potential to be a kid's best friend.

Oops bit of an essay, must find some photos of the little lady now :)
 
I know what people mean when they say their ex comp ponies just "do their job' they are only there to be ridden. My pony was just lucky that the person who took her international also loved her as a pet, she has stories, pictures et. Of her being a child's pony not just a rosette rack.
 
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