08/22/2025
Copied and pasted, but i will say in my 31 years as a 4H leader i have seen some beautiful horses left to languish lonely in a field I believe it is better for the really good ones to go be someone else’s best friend and teacher
PASS THEM ON
If you’ve been into the horse and pony world long enough, you’ve had the opportunity to experience that special one, the heart horse, the one that gave you the confidence to continue and grow, the one you never want to let go. But you really should!
Too often, we hear about THAT pony. The one who did all those things for you or your child. The next thing we often hear is, "we're never going to let that pony leave." This makes us sad to hear. Unless the pony is crippled or truly has a reason to be retired, we want to ask you, why you're making that choice? Is it really for the pony? As your child moves up the ladder, are they really going to give that pony, who is now a pasture pet, the attention it deserves? Are you going to pay attention when the pony gets fat, sassy or potentially founders because it's not getting conditioned or used anymore. Is that really the life a good performance pony deserves?
By making the choice to retire the pony who isn't ready to be retired, aren't you robbing another child the opportunity to learn like your child(ren) did on that pony?
By choosing to keep this pony, are you really teaching your own children who have outgrown them the process and the circle that keeps this industry going?
What would have happened if the owner before you had chosen to keep the pony as a pasture pet? Wouldn't your child have missed out?
What joy are you robbing the next person of? Not to mention the joy that you feel when you see the next person succeeding? What about this life lesson alone...teaching your children how to give back, let go and cheer for the next person? That can be a hard one.
Don't get me wrong, I totally understand getting attached to an animal. I completely understand retiring one that is old, crippled and can't continue to perform comfortably or safely. But it's really important to ask ourselves WHY are we really keeping them and what joy, lessons and opportunities could we bring the next person if we let that pony go?
So please, if you have one of those special ponies "retired" in the pasture, pull them out, put a few rides on them and let them go on to the next rider. Be it the neighbor kid down the road who just wants to pet them, the family that wants to start and could use a few lessons, the rider who is looking for a step up. If your pony loves its job and is still capable, it deserves to keep its joints lubricated and sharing its special magic with the next rider!
📸 Pony Pro Hadley Vandermyde with her new pony Tuddi Fruity who has taught multiple young riders in her 21 years of life! We can’t wait to see them grow together!
