Transformation of Miles - the Irish hat rack Connemara pony

Snap him up someone before you lose him!

You've done a great job IM, and turned him into a cracking pony. Do you ever suspect that the pony whose photo you bought isn't the pony that was put on the lorry?
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Wow! You have done such a wonderful job with him. That trip over on the lorry is a tough one for them and he really took it hard by the looks of it, I just love his inquisitive little face
 
Well done he’s looking good - lots of work put in.
Worth remembering though that some ponies can loose an amazing amount of weight when being transported especially if they tend to worry. These days travelling is often part of a horses life style and we take it for granted, l know most of mine are happy to load and travel anywhere but l’ve had one or two who have suddenly and unexpectedly lost weight when moving home - both coming and going. With correct management they’ll quickly get back on track. I ALWAYS take a photo of any animals being transported immediately before they load and as they’re getting on the lorry.
 
I brought my old very big XSuffolk Punch back to Ireland with me a few years ago. I deliberately found the most reputable and regular transporter taking TBs back and forth from Newmarket to The Curragh. My friend posted me images of him going on the lorry. He should have been with me here in Ireland 12 hours later. In fact he arrived 36 hours later, a hot dripping and very stressed mess and a good deal lighter than when he left Newmarket.

He could hear me talking outside the lorry to the driver, poor Solly was poking his nose up to the small window and literally screaming at me, he practically jumped off the ramp into my arms.😢 I was heartbroken for him, he was always a great traveller and a very well mannered helpful sort, he did not deserve that, not a single break or even a drop of water or hay was given. I only paid half the cash I was supposed to give the driver and told him to tell his boss to take it up with me if he dare. I never heard a word from them the evil chancers. The excuse was they had to divert up to Scotland to pick up two more TBs, with my poor horse onboard.🤬

But the only good thing was my horse recovered very, very quickly and by 4 weeks he had regained his weight and was none the worse for wear. Miraculously he still remained a very good traveller until the day he died, but that his more testament to his kind temperament than anything else. I wonder if your lovely Connie got a good journey over, I suspect he may not have done.🙁

I trust very few transporters since then.
 
ycbm said:
Snap him up someone before you lose him!

You've done a great job IM, and turned him into a cracking pony. Do you ever suspect that the pony whose photo you bought isn't the pony that was put on the lorry?
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Honestly never. He has quite a unique face as his eyes are quite small and closer together than a lot of horses and I can see that in the breeder’s photos!

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments, it is so nice to have people call him good looking as it’s taken a long time to get him to this point.

He will be sold this summer all being well - I really don’t need two ponies and he would have no use with me. I think he’ll make a child very happy doing PC and the like 😊
 
IrishMilo said:
In light of having officially owned the 3 month project for exactly a year, :oops:, an update is due!

It feels surreal to be actually riding him given he arrived as an emaciated 3 year old petrified of his own shadow and it felt like we've never get to this point, but tonight felt like a real milestone and it was the first time I've genuinely enjoyed him. In fact I couldn't stop laughing. He jogged all the way round the village in the heaviest of traffic with his ears forward. It was the first hack where I didn't have to nanny him the whole way. he suddenly just felt like he knew what he was doing. It was also the first time he's been out with another horse and he barely even noticed she was there. I've purposely done everything alone with him until this point as I did not want an attachment issue or nappy pony who would only go in company.

He's pretty much solid in all traffic, we've passed motorbikes, busses, HGVs and nothing is spooky for him. A drain cover is more likely to catch him out!

He's not cuddly but he LOVES being with and around people. He'll follow me everywhere and loves to be doing.

Today is the first time I've looked at him and thought he looks class, and it's been worth the slog.

April 2024

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March 2025

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My god what a change, well done you and him he has turned into a swan
 
Baby Miles has found himself the most perfect new home with a young international event rider /equine sports massage therapist who wanted a nice unspoilt pony to produce for eventing slowly. They came to collect him last night and they couldn’t have been more lovely.

I advertised him about 6 times because I kept going back and forth on whether to part with him but it was absolutely the right decision for the both of us and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him! Go forth with your two brain cells, little man!

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