Just for Fun - Polly Pony, the little Shetland that could....

Polly Pony's picture remains on our frig even after 11 years. Each time I walk by the refrigerator I notice the photograph which includes Polly, Cory and Casey, and I smile!

I smile because I remember the good times with Polly. Embrace what was good about your horse and remember it with a smile even when you are sad.

It gets easier as times passes and the one day there is no pain, only the fondness you felt when in the presence of this wonderful horse who always lives in you heart.
I know for years we had an Angel riding my kids. We remember these things about Polly:

1. She was a scruffy old pony but one that took our hearts away just in time for Santa to bring her to Cory for Christmas in 1987. Our vet said we had to have this pony because this girl was special. He was right!
2. I remember the day one of Cory's friends was riding Polly in the backyard and Cory accidentally flew under Polly while riding her big wheel. The big wheel lodged between Polly's from legs with Cory stuck underneath. I help my breath as I took a few steps to Polly hoping she would not react to this situation in the way I feared. Polly stood completely still as I helped Cory from underneath her belly, then her friend from the saddle and finally the big wheel from between her front legs. Not one time did she move! I knew then that Polly Pony was was in deed an Angel!
3. Then came Casey! Polly perked up with this young fellow but never once hurt him. She was his "babysitter".
4. She must have thought all the kindergarten kids were crazy never to have seen a horse the day Cory's class came to visit the farm. Six years later she thought so again when Casey's class made the same trip. Each time she rode each and every one, enduring the giddy yaps, kicks in the side and screams of joy. Not one time did she jump, buck, bite or take off.
5. She stopped beside Cory in the field the day Cory fell asleep on Polly and fell to the ground. Polly just looked at her young rider and when Cory started crying she put her nose to her face and nuzzled her as if to say, "It will be alright." Cory, then 7 gave Polly a hug and crawled back on her to finish the ride home.
6. Cory, the girl was always in back of the trail riders with Polly. Casey, the boy was always in the front.The smiles on our children's faces as they rode this little pony with confidence and joy.
7. She may have been a Shetland, who are supposed to be so mean, but this one never had a mean bone in her body.

When Casey was 5, we decided that Polly was too old for his antics. Being the boy he wanted to go faster and pushed the limits. She carried him from 5 months (he started riding her alone at 3) until after his 5th birthday before we retired her in August. She spent the next few months leisurely in the pasture taking it easy, always the boss of the big horses.

Casey wins his first trophy and ribbons with Polly at the fair at the age of 3.

I wonder now if she would have preferred to not have that rest. Two days before Christmas that year we found Polly laying on her side in the pasture early one morning. We tried desperately to get her up. Even after two grown men picked her up to her feet she could not support herself. We all knew what had to be done and the Vet confirmed that it was indeed her time.

It still hurts to remember her head in my lap, her eye looking up at me as she went to sleep for the last time. I still cry, like right now, when I remember the little pony who taught this family so much.

Her sprit lives on in each of us and we smile because she is still here in our hearts. She was the little horse with the big heart that could...

.... do no wrong.