We had lucked upon someone who knew someone who knew someone with a pony her grandchildren were no longer interested in, right at the time that the horse we had bought for the kids, failed vetting miserably. Since that initial contact though, we couldn't seem to align all the things that needed to happen.
Finally, it all worked out and I drove my trailer through Atlanta morning traffic (another equestrian merit badge earned) to a town about 40 minutes south of the city to meet a sweet little Welsh Mountain Pony.
Pegasus was everything I'd hoped he would be. He had already passed vet inspection and this first meeting I held my breath hoping nothing was missed. The cutest little face I had ever seen poked a tiny nose into my leg and that was that. I was wrapped around his little hoof.
Pegasus is a twelve year-old gelding who only has one fault, he has foundered once. When it happened it was caught early and on his previous 6 acres (to just himself and a mini) he was controlled with a grazing muzzle. His feet are not pretty and I'm interested to see what wonders my farrier can do to help improve him, otherwise, he's just perfect.
No, really.
He keeps his stall all nice and tidy not walking through his poop. His coat is one of those that naturally releases mud. His little "happy to see you!" whinny and "feed me!" nickers are priceless. He eats pretty much air to maintain his body weight. He stands tied without moving a hoof. He stood like a statue for kids to mob him. He doesn't kick. His ground manners are excellent even when kids are handling him.
But I didn't know all of this yet when we surprised the kids that evening. I hadn't originally planned to surprise them with him, just with all the going back and forth on "yes come get him" and "no, I've changed my mind" I wasn't so sure that something wouldn't fall through at the last minute and they'd be crushed. Again.
I led him around the corner to some very happy faces. When I said, "this is Pegasus, he's here forever" they all squealed and joyful noises ensued.
Turnout I was worried about how he would handle the big boys. Czech and Spotlight give clear communication and aren't terribly silly, Bandon is another story. Bandon loves to play. He often bites the boys, hard, and runs to get them to run after him. He does the trademark gelding face bite to the boys and rears at them to get them to play back. In general, he can be a pest, even if it is good natured.
12 hand Pegasus seemed vulnerable to his shenanigans.
I didn't have anything to worry about though, perfect pony again, he held his ground with good communication far enough away that no one was hurt and by the end of the day he was securely established ranking below Czech and above Bandon (Spotlight couldn't be bothered with rank, he was too busy trying to remove his grazing muzzle all day).
All that was left was to find out what Pegasus was like when ridden. As far as we understand, he hasn't been ridden in quite awhile. This would be the downside to our perfect pony, I was sure.
I got on him myself this morning, not wanting my kids to be test dummies, and soft reins and soft clucks made Pegasus move like a coin operated toy.
Perfection yet again.
I won't be riding him regularly, though I'm small statured, he is oh so small... and I'm excited to see how he does with a kid on board in a few weeks! We might have hit the jackpot with this one.
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