Went to see an old friend today.

[pennyturner]

My first pony. Brave was with us for 10 years. We learned to drive together, and he went on to do a further 10 years with driving for disabled, and is now retired at the Horse Trust, where we saw him yesterday, and it was amazing to see him looking so well.

Here he is doing a wedding for a friend, aged about 16.

... and here yesterday, aged 30. I can hardly believe how little he has changed. A credit to the Horse Trust. He's obviously loving it, and according to a member of staff, still cable of causing the odd spot of trouble. )

 

[Chinchilla]

He is beautiful, and this is honestly the nicest thing to hear. How sweet! <3

 

[Woah]

What a lovely little pony - so glad you found him barely changed, and in a good forever home.

 

[nikicb]

How lovely. xx

 

[Mule]

He's gorgeous

 

[pennyturner]

In his day he has turned his hoof to team chasing, endurance, riding school (although that didn't end well, he was waay too naughty), and hunting, as well as carriage driving. He's had a great life, and it's just marvellous that he is being looked after so well in his retirement.

 

[laura_nash]

He looks a lot like a Brave I used to know at a RS in Headingley, Leeds. Right age for him too. I don't suppose it is the same pony?

He's looking amazing, especially for 30.

 

[Rumtytum]

He&#8217;s a Golden Boy in every sense, what a super uplifting story!

 

[Sukistokes2]

This made me smile, what a lovely story

 

[pennyturner]

He looks a lot like a Brave I used to know at a RS in Headingley, Leeds. Right age for him too. I don't suppose it is the same pony?

He's looking amazing, especially for 30.

There could only be one... yes. I bought him from Kim at Adel Wood in Headingley. She had to sell him: Apparently her accident book had nothing but "Brave did x, Brave did y" for about 3 pages. Lol.

 

[laura_nash]

There could only be one... yes. I bought him from Kim at Adel Wood in Headingley. She had to sell him: Apparently her accident book had nothing but "Brave did x, Brave did y" for about 3 pages. Lol.

Thanks for posting this, its lovely to know he's still alive and doing well and had a great life. I liveried with Kim at Adel Wood for years and I remember him very well, I never rode him as I mostly stuck to mine but I frequently handled him and shared lessons with him as he was a favourite with the other helpers. I was about 15 then and although I loved my own pony he really looked like the classic teenagers dream pony. He was definately the prettiest pony on the yard and really athletic.

I do remember the "quirks" too though. I'm afraid one of the accident book entries was added by me He was responsible for my first "incident" when I was escorting a hack, I remember it really well as I was furious with the rider. She was new to the yard and had clearly over-stated her ability and having been told to keep his head up and pay attention going into canter as he could buck she actually screamed and dropped the reins and was promptly bucked off. I had to give her first aid (she was fine, just winded) and then go catch Brave who was happily cantering around the park dodging dogs and picnic'ers.

 

[pennyturner]

^that's my boy^. I doubt there's anyone who ever rode him who he didn't dump, bucked like a mule, but boy could he jump!

He was like a totally different person in harness; the safest driving pony you could wish for.