Sad to hear the news that Tom Smith has died, growing up in his area I look back at all the ponies he supplied with a wry smile. RIP they don't make them like you anymore!
If its the same guy (and I think it must be as they could never make two of him!!) I used to love going to his yard. Talk about horses and ponies stuffed into every nook and cranny - all shapes, sizes, you name it, he'd either got it or knew where to find it! When my friend had a riding school years ago, she used to get a lot of her horses/ponies from him - a couple were a bit wild but he'd always exchange and we got some cracking horses from him for really good prices.
Oh god that is so sad. I too have grown up in the same area and always see him around. It wasnt that long ago i saw him.....He was the funniest guy ever when it came to horses/pony's! Every one said his horses were nutters!
Are we talking about the Bedfordshire Tom Smith with the mop of black curly hair ( in his younger days) who would turn up in his tatty old lorry and off load a good un he'd found for you? My frind bought a lovely dapple grey mare from him after her pony died. You had to be sharp though as he could just as easily off load a dud un as well!