Pony Partners

01/18/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT: Pony Partners Closing March 2025

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Community,

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of Pony Partners at the end of March 2025. After many incredible years of serving our community and sharing the magic of horses with so many, it is time for us, Patti and Dave Fields, to step into retirement as we manage age-related needs and shift our focus toward personal well-being.

As the founders and on-site horse and farm managers, this decision was not made lightly. Pony Partners has been a labor of love, bringing joy, connection, and healing to countless individuals through the power of our equine companions. We are deeply proud of everything this organization has accomplished and the lasting impact it has made in our community.

We want to thank all of you—our volunteers, donors, participants, and supporters—for being part of this journey. Your kindness, dedication, and belief in our mission made everything we achieved possible.

To celebrate this incredible chapter, we invite you to join us for a Mission Accomplished Open Barn Celebration (details to come soon). Let’s come together to honor the memories, connections, and lives touched by Pony Partners.

Although this is the end of one chapter, the legacy of Pony Partners lives on in the hoofprints it has left in the hearts of so many. Thank you for being part of this story.

With gratitude and love,
Patti and Dave Fields
Founders, Pony Partners

01/05/2025

Do horses really bond with people?
A trainer actually asked this question in a post, as if he genuinely didn’t know. He suggested that IF they do, that bond is based on the strong leadership he imagined horses seek. Sadly, many trainers, people who are looked up to for advice, don’t understand the true nature or power of bonds. Some even belittle people who recognize (and treasure!) that bond, as if it makes us “soft”, i.e. incompetent as horse people. It doesn’t. It makes us BETTER horse people because:
- Horses are a social species. Bonds they form with each other, AND with people provide security that is crucial to them.
- Bonds are not built on “strong leadership”, a concept promoted by the long disproved myth of dominance. Bonds are built on trust. Horses attach to people they trust to protect them, Protector Leaders.
- Horses with an attachment to their trainers learn faster.
- Horses who have long term relationships with their people tend to be less fearful.
This bond of trust inspires horses to protect us (see my post of 12/27/24), and
seek our guidance when they are anxious or confused. I believe this is what Tom Dorrance meant when he said there was something he tried to get as soon as possible with every horse he rode; something some people never get. Many people who claim to follow his methods have missed this crucial point.
People can spend months or years trying to bond with horses who badly want to bond with them, while unknowingly undermining their own efforts. Once you understand how to show a horse he is safe with you, progress can be amazingly fast.
Here’s the link to my chat with Jec Aristotle Ballou on How Horses Bond with Us (2/1/24). https://youtu.be/xTa9P-tB9N4
…and the link to my accompanying blog post which has been updated to include references.
https://www.lynnacton.com/MiniPosts/How-Horses-Bond-with-Us

.nation
Like a Knight- Therapeutic Horsemanship at St Andrews University NC

01/01/2025

A little look back at precious moments, people, and ponies who made 2024 special. Happy New Year to all! May 2025 bring many blessings to you and your families 🌟

12/28/2024

We know

New Research Proves Horses Have Super Intelligence:

Horses are far more intelligent than most people realize, with cognitive abilities that place them among the smartest animals.

They have demonstrated skills in problem-solving, emotional intelligence, memory, and learning that rival those of many other species. For example, horses are known for their cleverness in opening stable doors or untying knots, showcasing their capacity for strategic thinking.

Emotionally, they form deep, empathetic bonds with humans and can sense feelings like pride or shame, often mirroring their human companions' emotions.

Their impressive cognitive skills also allow them to recognize symbols, communicate preferences, and adapt to complex situations, such as responding to commands in therapeutic environments.

One study even revealed that horses can adjust their communication based on whether humans are aware of hidden food, increasing visual and tactile signals like looking or nudging when their caretakers were unaware.

This ability to understand and respond to the knowledge state of others—previously thought to be unique to primates—illustrates the sophistication of horse cognition. Horses actively attempt to communicate with humans in much the same way they would with their herd members, making horse-human communication a true two-way street.

While horses may not match the intellectual capabilities of elephants, they are often considered more intelligent than dogs or cats in some areas, excelling in equine-assisted therapies where their sensitivity to human emotions makes them invaluable in psychological treatments

12/22/2024

The LORD is so faithful! HE continues to provide for Christmas Dinner 2024…Praise the LORD!

Our goal is to raise $8,000 to provide a Christmas feast and gifts for 200 orphans in our care and for the many struggling families in our village. Imagine the joy of a child tasting rice, meat, and vegetables—something so simple, yet a luxury for them. Imagine the comfort of a widow receiving warm bedding or clothes as a Christmas gift.

Please give today. No gift is too small, and every donation counts! Your prayers, shares, and financial support make all the difference.Thank you for standing with us and helping us spread the love of Jesus.

12/15/2024

12/12/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Christina Brining, Emma Alpern

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

12/12/2024

Our minis have been writing their Christmas Lists. Curious? Check it out here.
https://ponypartners.org/wish-list

12/11/2024

Isn’t this adorable? It sure looks easier to bring the pony inside 🤣. We go through the same thing with Jazz and Rosie to get them ready for indoor visits. It’s not fun doing it all outdoors with hose water! Check out our wish list and see what we are up to! https://ponypartners.org/wish-list

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/mKfHZ7zW1RoZEJqG/?mibextid=14AR8G

12/11/2024

This is a nice opportunity for your family!

12/03/2024

✨ Last night on CBS, they highlighted a miniature horse visiting a nursing home—what a heartwarming story! 🐴💖 But did you know Pony Partners has been bringing this kind of joy and connection to nursing homes, schools, and community centers right here in our community for years?

Our Mobile Minis program delivers moments of healing and happiness to those who need it most—free of charge. We rely on the generosity of supporters like you to make these transformative visits possible.

This , help us continue to brighten lives one hoofprint at a time. Your gift ensures more patients, seniors, and children get to experience the magic of these miniature horses.

🌟 Donate today and help us keep sharing hope and joy: PayPal and Venmo
Mail checks to Pony Partners 2193 Chalklevel Rd
Louisa, VA 23093



Pictured 2023 visit

12/02/2024

Not quite. But we DO drive a white van with a brown horse 🤣

Well… 🤣🐎🚗

12/02/2024

We often focus on the minis, but our big old steady Eddie J C is a real favorite around here. On Saturday he took a bride to her groom. Good boy, JC. 🐴🩷🐴