When Pop was about 18 months into her riding education, pre-own pony, she was put on Ben for a few lessons.
Ben is the oldest pony at our yard. He’s so old nobody is quite sure how old he is because equine passports weren’t a necessity when he was born. Estimates stand at his age being around 30-33.
He’s a lovely little 10.3hh or 11hh pony who, during his hay day, was quite the superstar jumper. Legend (well, fact) has it that he could jump the height of his own ears and that he was quite the competition pony, who if he were only a hand higher, could have been a real contender.
I remember Pop’s instructor telling me that he and Pop had a natural bond. A ‘thing’. I thought she was bananas , but as the lessons rolled by I could see what she meant.
Ben responded to Poppy in an incredible way. There was an unspoken connection; if she was feeling like going fast , he would oblige. Quite happily. Now, bare in mind that Pop’s legs couldn’t get down below past the saddle flaps at this stage, this was nothing to do with her getting her leg on – he kind of just ‘knew’.
He was the pony that taught Pop that ponies know what you feel and think. She really learned so much from him.
When Lucy came on the scene Pop rarely rode other ponies. It wasn’t until the failure of a new pony (pre- Splash) that she started riding the school ponies again.
By this time Ben had started having some trouble with one of his legs and so would very often go lame. However, when sound he and Pop would ride and they would click straight away.
Alison (who’s son used to compete Ben) told me about how she could see how much Ben enjoyed working with Pop, and as the weeks went on it was clear that they really have a great bond. They worked so well together and Ben lost years and years, really enjoying the sight of the pole and nodding his little head with excitement. He really did know when Pop got on that he was in for a tonne of fun.
He taught her more and more, rebuilding her confidence post-Muffin (a story for another day) and helped her get to grips with a forward-thinking pony. He was also small enough for her to tack up alone and he would happily let get brush and fuss him beforehand – a privilege not shared by anyone else.
We actually began to talk realistically about bringing Ben back into work and doing a few competitions on him after the vet gave his ticker the all-clear, but it was not meant to be.
His lameness became more frequent and well, as much as he fancied reliving his youth with his new friend, he wasn’t up to it.
He’s now happily retired, cantering about his field and ruling the roost.
If only he were ten years younger…
The Accidental Pony Mum 