Red Letter Day

I had been at the riding school for a week, and my old owner returned to see if the school wanted to buy me.

Sam and Debbie had arrived early to wait for them.

The lady from the riding school explained that she didn't want to buy me, but that one of her volunteer grooms did.

My old owner agreed to sell me, and my passport was exchanged.

He was sorry to see me go - he told Debbie I was a 'cracking pony', - but he was happy I was going to a good home.

But not as happy as us! I don't know who was happiest - Debbie, Sam or me!

Sam was now officially my new 'Forever-Mummy'
I was VERY happy!

Field Day

Once the farrier had trimmed my hooves and advised on treating my split frogs, I was allowed to go into my temporary pasture at the riding school.

The lady from the riding school lent me a rug to keep me warm and dry, and said I could use a field near the pony stables.

After grooming me, Sam led me out to the field with my new head collar and leading rope.

I had the whole field to myself!
I was so excited I didn't notice my sore feet as I bucked and galloped and rolled in glee!

Then I noticed some other horses in a field nearby, so I went to say hello.

I didn't stay clean for very long, but it didn't matter - I was a VERY happy pony!

Dreadlocked Pony

The Riding School trialled me, to see if I'd make a good school pony, but my feet hurt so much it was difficult for me to do the things they asked.
I wasn't sure of some of the things they asked me to do, and my interesting 'tult' style trot wasn't what they needed.
So they rejected the idea of buying me.

Sam was upset to think that I may be leaving again so soon, on the back of the scrap van I arrived in, so she persuaded my 'Forever-Nanny', her Mum Debbie, to come and see me, explaining that I had an interesting 'dreadlock' in my mane.

Debbie came to see me, just four days before I was due to go back to my owners, and she fell in love with me straight away too.
She told Sam that I was the double of the pony she'd learnt to ride on as a child.
The first thing Debbie did was to give me a nice brush down, chatting to me all the time, telling me I was handsome.
I liked that!

Sam explained that no-one could comb out my 'dreadlock', so it may have to be cut out.
Debbie looked at it, and laughed, explaining to Sam that the 'dreadlock' was a 'bridle braid', a special loop plaited into my mane to be used to hold onto when I was being ridden bareback and bridle-less.
She told Sam these were traditionally used by travellers, but aren't seen so often these days.
She also knew how to un-braid it without my mane being cut or pulled.

My Arrival

On January 17th 2012 I was put up for sale.

I was underweight, had sore tendons, bruised feet, a scruffy, dirty coat, and was very depressed.

I was placed in a stable at a riding school, with a view to a sale.

It was here that I met one of the volunteer grooms who was to become my new 'Forever-Mummy'.