Saturday, January 14, 2006
How (Not!) to Acquire a Bigger Pony! (Cob Blob)
Overhear same friend who suggested Fat Orange One to us saying something along the lines of "...Yeah, I know, they really ought to sell him...", nosily enquire "Sell what?" & find out it is a 14.1hh blue-eyed, piebald gelding, about 10 yrs old! Hurrah, coincidentally middle daughter's first choice is a blue-eyed piebald! Arrange to go & see pony asap!
Pony has been loaned to a riding-school for 2 years & whilst popular & useful, also has a bit of a reputation for being 'strong', 'stubborn' & 'bloody-minded'!
Pop over initially to have a quick peep at pony in his stable! Say 'hello' to pony over door...no reaction, wave hands at pony with louder "helloooo!"...no reaction, jump up & down in front of stable...pony does not react AT ALL!
Middle daughter is somewhat disappointed to find that pony is in fact, one of the zombified 'walking dead' & sulks all the way home!
Persuade middle daughter to go back & watch him in a lesson, cannot ride him herself as insurance does not cater for children! Pony spends first 10 minutes of lesson with ears flat on his head & his initial enthusiasm when ridden brings the phrase 'getting blood out of a stone' to mind!
Middle daughter thinks he is beautiful & despite never having sat on him, is keen to have him on a month's trial!
Owner informs us of his little 'quirks' & 'funny little ways'! OK, yep......!
1. Pony has not hacked out for 2 years..."Not a problem" (Our yard is on a main road!)
2. Owner's OH couldn't hold/stop him in a pelham..."Not to worry" (He won't be in a pelham as we stick everything in a mild snaffle to start with anyway!)
3. He's immemsely strong & has to be turned out in a bridle..."Fine" (Pony has the physical strength of a white rhino & middle daughter, although tall, is about 6 stone dripping wet!)
4. He can be VERY stubborn..."I'm sure we can sort him out" (Have you MET my children???)
Within days of arriving, pony has attached himself to middle daughter like a limpet & it is abundantly clear that he is very much a one-person pony, so no wonder he had 'switched off' at the riding-school, he must have HATED it!
He is STILL stubborn, STILL bloody-minded & STILL immensely strong but he is also gentle, loving & immensely loyal to his young owner, though he still couldn't really give a stuff for anybody else......we love you really, Cob Blob!
Pony has been loaned to a riding-school for 2 years & whilst popular & useful, also has a bit of a reputation for being 'strong', 'stubborn' & 'bloody-minded'!
Pop over initially to have a quick peep at pony in his stable! Say 'hello' to pony over door...no reaction, wave hands at pony with louder "helloooo!"...no reaction, jump up & down in front of stable...pony does not react AT ALL!
Middle daughter is somewhat disappointed to find that pony is in fact, one of the zombified 'walking dead' & sulks all the way home!
Persuade middle daughter to go back & watch him in a lesson, cannot ride him herself as insurance does not cater for children! Pony spends first 10 minutes of lesson with ears flat on his head & his initial enthusiasm when ridden brings the phrase 'getting blood out of a stone' to mind!
Middle daughter thinks he is beautiful & despite never having sat on him, is keen to have him on a month's trial!
Owner informs us of his little 'quirks' & 'funny little ways'! OK, yep......!
1. Pony has not hacked out for 2 years..."Not a problem" (Our yard is on a main road!)
2. Owner's OH couldn't hold/stop him in a pelham..."Not to worry" (He won't be in a pelham as we stick everything in a mild snaffle to start with anyway!)
3. He's immemsely strong & has to be turned out in a bridle..."Fine" (Pony has the physical strength of a white rhino & middle daughter, although tall, is about 6 stone dripping wet!)
4. He can be VERY stubborn..."I'm sure we can sort him out" (Have you MET my children???)
Within days of arriving, pony has attached himself to middle daughter like a limpet & it is abundantly clear that he is very much a one-person pony, so no wonder he had 'switched off' at the riding-school, he must have HATED it!
He is STILL stubborn, STILL bloody-minded & STILL immensely strong but he is also gentle, loving & immensely loyal to his young owner, though he still couldn't really give a stuff for anybody else......we love you really, Cob Blob!
# posted by JAK : 14.1.06
