Unless we are from a horsey family, all of us have been beginner horse owners at some stage. Starting out with horse ownership can have some scary and all too often heart breaking incidents, which reminds me of the Winston story.
Picture Winston, a gorgeous chestnut New Forest Pony with a brilliant laid back temperament, loads of character, solid training and unfortunately an enormous appetite. Despite his small statute, he was always the first to turn up at feed time and would guard his meals with the ferocity of a lion.
So, taking into account his training and unflappable nature, when a family with beginner and novice child riders came looking for their first pony, Winston was their first choice. All was well for many months and the family embraced all the lessons with enthusiasm. Not only the riding, but also the Stable Management lessons. Winston had been placed with a truly loving family. Sadly, however, life has a way of throwing spanners in the works and when the mother of the family needed a sudden and long hospital stay, things started to unravel.
With a sick wife, a business to run and four children to care for and now ponies, the family's stoic father, tried to do it all. For Winston, this came at a price.
Whilst finishing up for the day having fed and coated 15 horses, my fellow coach and I were looking forward to dinner, T.V. and a boring night (when you own horses, boring equals lack of dramas and is very good!).
Suddenly, Georgina, my side-kick's, phone lit up with a text message saying "I'm so very, very sorry and I hate to ask but can you go and check on the ponies because I am still at the hospital". Despite previous offers, this independent man was at last asking for help!
Arriving at the property in the dark, Georgina and I both had that feeling of dread…, two ponies were standing waiting for their dinner but Winston was not amongst them!! This was not good…
Frantically calling his name, we finally found him under a pandanus palm tree, his head hung low and his little legs sticking out from an even bigger than usual belly. His lack of movement and trembling told that this was one dangerously sick pony. Without hesitating we called the emergency vet, but should we call the family's father? Considering his present situation, we decided to wait until the vet told us the good or bad news. Obviously, we were praying a drench was going to fix this and we would be spared telling an already stressed family, that Winston was in real trouble.
After what seemed hours, but in reality was less than one, the vet arrived. He quickly assessed Winston had eaten something inappropriate and surgery was the only way he would survive. Unfortunately, the only vet he recommended for this surgery was also 2.5 hours away! If you have been around horses for any length of time, I am sure you would realise this operation was also going to cost several thousands of dollars. Being the coward I am (sorry I hate tears!), I let my friend make the phone call to the dad and bless him, he simply said… "please get that pony all the help you can. I'll pay whatever". Now, I know I said I hate tears, but I admit, I shed a few at this point!
I cannot begin to tell you how awful that trailer trip was. With Winston in the back, we travelled half way across the State. Every bump, corner and turn was agony as we waited to hear the tell tale thump of a falling pony.
Unbelievably we made it and the relief I felt when four brilliant young women, expertly moved Winston from the trailer to surgery, where the vet was waiting ready to perform her life saving work. If love and care was going to save this pony, then he was going to make it, because this all female team had it in abundance.
To cut a long story short, Winston did make it! After a full four weeks in hospital and many months recuperating at home, he returned to his old greedy self and went on to become one of the best known ponies on the pony club circuit. He won many ribbons and is still out there giving both experienced and beginner children a safe and wonderful experience.
I started this story with how we are all beginners at some point, so you may be asking what has that do do with the Winston story? Simply this experience tells you, a greedy, food motivated pony like Winston cannot be left without food for too long. He simply won't accept a grumbling tum. Remember that Pandanus Palm he was standing under, well, it's a miracle it didn't fall on him! He'd eaten half of it!
