Ponies

[poliphilo]

As of yesterday evening we have four shaggy ponies in our field. They belong to a father and son who "have gone a little mad" rescuing horses from abandonment and the meat trade.

They're very restful creatures.  All girls (I think). Julia says she's seen them cantering, but I've only seen them standing still. "Megalith still" as Ted Hughes has it.

Think of them as self-propelled lawn-mowers.


Juia says this one isn't in such good condition. Her shoulder muscles and thigh muscles (I expect there are technical terms for them) are wasted. That probably means she's been kept tethered or in a stable with no opportunity to run about.

Comments

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful use for your field to have rescued ponies who can live their lives out in peace now. And they will indeed be good lawnmowers.
:)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's lovely to have them.

My mother used to have an arrangement with a sheep farmer but that fell through- we don't quite know why- before we moved down here.

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

The wasted parts in front could be either the shoulders or withers and in the rear, probably the stifle, which is the back upper thigh muscle that will waste for lack of exercise.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Perhaps I should teach myself a little basic equine anatomy.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Nice to see them getting a little freedom just to be horses.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

No pressure on them to do anything but mooch around and eat grass.

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

Lucky ponies! I expect they are too stuffed with grass to move at the moment...

I do miss having horses around. As you say, they are restful companions. When they're not getting up to mischief.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

These four don't seem to be mischievous- but perhaps once they've settled in...

[sovay]

Think of them as self-propelled lawn-mowers.

I think it is great that you have ponies. Are you taking care of them, or just providing the lawn?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We're just providing the lawn. The owners will be coming in regularly to see how they're doing.