| HOBO | | | | MacDonalds(TM) was another favorite. Off we'd |
| My unsuspecting family wanted an older pony. | | | | ride to buy lunch. The ponies preferred the French |
| You know, to teach us how to ride. In their | | | | fries. One year they were even dressed up as |
| search they came across a man with two | | | | reindeer for a picture with Santa. |
| Shetlands running loose on his property. When | | | | Trailering them was great. They both fit in my |
| they called, they learned that "Jerry" and "Hobo" | | | | aunt's VW bus. After building a ramp they had no |
| had been his children's' ponies. They were turned | | | | problem climbing right in, then we would tie them |
| out to pasture when the kids were too big to ride | | | | to the safety handles above the side doors. |
| them and he was finally ready after much | | | | Schooling shows, play days and parades, we |
| thought to find these old ponies a good home. | | | | would arrive in "small" style! |
| Bought both ponies -- sight unseen! My mom and | | | | Hobo and Jerry were our very best childhood |
| her two sisters owned a 55 acre ranch together. | | | | friends. It was very sad when we became too tall |
| Each had a house on the property and each had | | | | to ride them. Our parents bought us big horses. |
| two to four kids. They thought the ponies should | | | | But ... big horses are not quite as fun. They don't |
| be a joint purchase since all nine kids would | | | | climb stairs or even entertain the idea of going in |
| eventually learn to ride on them. | | | | closets very well. They certainly don't fit in VW |
| To the families' joint surprise, the 20 year old | | | | buses either. Just one more in a bunch of perks |
| ponies were not the geriatric ponies they were | | | | for pony power. |
| led to believe. They were lively and rambunctious | | | | We were very sad when Jerry passed away last |
| and not what most people these days would use | | | | year. He was 43! We thought Hobo was going to |
| to teach their kids riding. But those were not | | | | die of depression. He had lived with his brother for |
| these days. Parents back then, at least ours, | | | | every one of those 43 years. |
| were very laid back and knew that we would | | | | Hobo is still with us. His legs are bowed and his |
| survive -- and we did. Hobo was much wilder than | | | | hair is almost 4" long due to cushings. Hobo is now |
| Jerry. He would buck, crowhop, rub against fences | | | | 45 years old. He is 11 hands, dappled gray with a |
| and go under trees that only he could fit under. | | | | flaxen mane and tail. And although he looks like a |
| We all eventually learned to ride him, and boy, did | | | | prehistoric creature, he is very healthy and as |
| we have a blast. | | | | ornery as ever! I realize now, looking back at the |
| We used to play hide and seek. We could hide | | | | 25 years of owning Hobo, once you have owned |
| anywhere on the property -- including the barns | | | | a pony, no matter how mean or bratty it is, you |
| and houses (when our parents were not around | | | | will always be a pony person. |
| of coarse). The ponies climbed stairs, jumped, | | | | Update: Hobo sadly died in the fall of 99. I still cry |
| pulled carts, swam and even took the dogs for | | | | when I re-read this story. I miss him so much! |
| rides. We used to ride them to the 7-11(TM) to | | | | We have many amazing photos of Hobo and his |
| buy candy. We would tie them to the bike rack. | | | | friends. |