Re: RC: Pony Power!

[Maureen Mathisen <blueoak@snowcrest.net>]

Lynette,

You are very correct--I think ponies are extremely "tough" for their
size.  How else would they have survived in the areas where they
originated if they were not?  I know the Irish and Scottish breeds(like
Connemaras) lived  in the lands where no other horse could have
existed.  They also were the ones used in coal mines, etc. to pull and
carry very heavy loads.(  I forget what the percentage is  compared to
their body weight , but it is very imprressive!)

I have both Arabs and Connemaras and many are about  the same height
except for my very tall Arabian mare.  It doesn't seem to slow down
either breed to be "shorter" than others--in fact, many of the best
endurance Arabians were "pony size(under l4.2) and were tough as nails! 
Keep riding Cloud Dancer--after while your "critics" will have to admit
that they might be wrong!
Maureen

Lynette Helgeson wrote:
> 
> Rayna777@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > So, I guess this will open up the pony power debate again, and that's okay by
> > me.  I've been riding and driving ponies for over 20 years, and I love 'em.
> > People always underestimate the little horses.
> >
> 
> This past weekend I did a trail ride on my beautiful 1/2 Arab,
> pony cross who is
> 13.2 hh. I am 5'9". I took two days of jokes, and put downs
> before I got to the
> point where I did not even want to ride next to anyone. My
> husband who is 6'2" realized that I was getting tired of all the
> grief, so he traded horses with me and he
> rode the pony to give me a break. He was not on the pony for
> more then 30 seconds
> before he started to get it. One guy who must of realized that I
> was getting tired
> of the comments, said, "I don't care, it is just so hard to see
> a big person on
> a little horse."
> 
> I do believe that people who have never ridden a pony do have a
> hard time with
> "big people riding small horses." I offered to several people to
> take a ride
> on my brave little horse. No one wanted to. If they did they
> would realize the
> strength, power and brains that ponies have. Someone just told
> me that ponies
> have 10% more slow twitch muscles then Arabians. Ponies have a
> lot to offer in
> small packages, plus they are easy keepers. Some of you just do
> not realize
> just how strong ponies are. Yes, I do agree with the above
> statement, "People always underestimate the little horses.
> 
> Lynette
> who is proud of her little Cloud Dancer!
> 
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=