Smokey, pony mare, 35 years (privately owned by Lucy Beyer)
The boss of the ponies and our fast granny (her German nickname: "Renn-Oma"). Smokey isn't only faster in a gallop than most of our big horses she also outwalks them on the treks if she is allowed to be in the lead:-).
According to Ian she has been one of the most difficult horses to deal with when she was given to him as a "fire breathing monster". The former owners were even too scared to get near her, her feet were in terrible condition (they resembled skies) especially after she had foundered years ago. The first time she got shoes put on Smokey picked the farrier up with her front feet and smashed him on the concrete...the first time Ian rode her out on the trails she did the whole show: racing backwards down the river (when she tried to jump it first and landed in the middle of it), spins in both directions, rearing, bucking, you name it she did it. And now? She is settled, happy, incredible fit, ridden in a rope halter, an absolute joy for beginners and experienced riders and even 5 year old kids have ridden her off the lead on the trails. If the rider isn't paying attention out on the trails she puts her head down to eat and catches up in a trot (why walk, if you can run?). Smokey is also for more experienced riders a great teacher for very fine hands, she teaches you softness and not to pull, because she knows every pulling game she wins. Smokey used to follow her former 8 year old share rider Christabell around like a dog, they had a unique relationship: Smokey even went through the slalom at liberty when Christabell asked in the right way. In the last few weeks of 2011 Lucy became Smokey's new share rider. Lucy and Smokey have really bonded and have a wonderful connection. Smokeys truly loves Lucy. Sometimes Smokey would put her ears back at children and with some more than with others, not so with Lucy. Smokey is always happy when Lucy is around, enjoys the cuddles, never has put an ear back on her and even comes up to her n the paddock. Out on the trails with Lucy, Smokey jumps sometimes higher than anybody else. Those two are an amazing team together and now since Christmas 2012 Smokey belongs to Lucy.
According to Ian she has been one of the most difficult horses to deal with when she was given to him as a "fire breathing monster". The former owners were even too scared to get near her, her feet were in terrible condition (they resembled skies) especially after she had foundered years ago. The first time she got shoes put on Smokey picked the farrier up with her front feet and smashed him on the concrete...the first time Ian rode her out on the trails she did the whole show: racing backwards down the river (when she tried to jump it first and landed in the middle of it), spins in both directions, rearing, bucking, you name it she did it. And now? She is settled, happy, incredible fit, ridden in a rope halter, an absolute joy for beginners and experienced riders and even 5 year old kids have ridden her off the lead on the trails. If the rider isn't paying attention out on the trails she puts her head down to eat and catches up in a trot (why walk, if you can run?). Smokey is also for more experienced riders a great teacher for very fine hands, she teaches you softness and not to pull, because she knows every pulling game she wins. Smokey used to follow her former 8 year old share rider Christabell around like a dog, they had a unique relationship: Smokey even went through the slalom at liberty when Christabell asked in the right way. In the last few weeks of 2011 Lucy became Smokey's new share rider. Lucy and Smokey have really bonded and have a wonderful connection. Smokeys truly loves Lucy. Sometimes Smokey would put her ears back at children and with some more than with others, not so with Lucy. Smokey is always happy when Lucy is around, enjoys the cuddles, never has put an ear back on her and even comes up to her n the paddock. Out on the trails with Lucy, Smokey jumps sometimes higher than anybody else. Those two are an amazing team together and now since Christmas 2012 Smokey belongs to Lucy.
Podge, ponymare, 20 years
This pretty chestnut girl was Smokey's best friend for the last few years. Ian got a phone call one day and the people told him there was an abandoned 5 year old pony with a 3 year old foal at foot up on some hills. The owners hadn't been able to get close to her for 3 years. The last time as a 1 year old they tried to stick a needle into her as she was in foal way too early. So if Ian could catch her he could have her. It took 10 minutes and then Ian started to load her into the trailer.
What a little pearl Podge was and dearly loved by her share rider Christabel and so many other children, young adults and grown ups. She wasn't really a beginners pony, because her riders had to be very soft in their communication: If you were doing too much, being too controlling and too busy with the hands, she would turn around and trot home. Around humans she didn't know, she still tested on the first contact if she could really trust you, if you respected her space and if you could invite her in instead of catching her. The reason why this is now written in the past tense is that Podge died in a tragic paddock accident in autumn 2012. For all of us it was a big shock and still is. We will treasure her in our hearts for ever. Christabell has written an amazing poem for her which she read also at her grave, as all the others Podge is burried here on the farm, still overlooking everything.
MY SUNNY SUNDAY PONY
You were the best teacher ever,
Cute, Pretty, Cool, good friend to Smokey
Good friend to me, good friend to all,
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
Sunny Sundays you and I would go on beautiful treks.
Jumping the deepest sandy drain
Your coat flaming in golden honey
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
Cop Island I remember
Going as deep as ever on your back.
The water was reflecting on your beautiful chestnut chest.
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
"All around the world"
Going round and round on you.
Winning all the races
In the sunny sandy arena.
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
When I groomed you it was like golden sand
Swiping off your cute bunny ears.
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
You pretty chestnut girl
You're the best teacher ever.
I hope you enjoy horsey heaven
As much as you enjoyed us.
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
Christabel Waldron, April 2012
What a little pearl Podge was and dearly loved by her share rider Christabel and so many other children, young adults and grown ups. She wasn't really a beginners pony, because her riders had to be very soft in their communication: If you were doing too much, being too controlling and too busy with the hands, she would turn around and trot home. Around humans she didn't know, she still tested on the first contact if she could really trust you, if you respected her space and if you could invite her in instead of catching her. The reason why this is now written in the past tense is that Podge died in a tragic paddock accident in autumn 2012. For all of us it was a big shock and still is. We will treasure her in our hearts for ever. Christabell has written an amazing poem for her which she read also at her grave, as all the others Podge is burried here on the farm, still overlooking everything.
MY SUNNY SUNDAY PONY
You were the best teacher ever,
Cute, Pretty, Cool, good friend to Smokey
Good friend to me, good friend to all,
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
Sunny Sundays you and I would go on beautiful treks.
Jumping the deepest sandy drain
Your coat flaming in golden honey
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
Cop Island I remember
Going as deep as ever on your back.
The water was reflecting on your beautiful chestnut chest.
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
"All around the world"
Going round and round on you.
Winning all the races
In the sunny sandy arena.
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
When I groomed you it was like golden sand
Swiping off your cute bunny ears.
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
You pretty chestnut girl
You're the best teacher ever.
I hope you enjoy horsey heaven
As much as you enjoyed us.
My Sunny Sunday Pony.
Christabel Waldron, April 2012
