Spark a Little Joy

Spark, my children’s pony is the whole reason we ever started going to the sale every month. We were in search of a pony for our kids in September 2019, and didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg, so we figured an auction was the best way to go. We went back into the loose pens, and handled the ponies, and my kids were mostly all along for the trip. It was a long day, and it was a crazy emotional roller coaster of a day as our eyes were opened to a whole different part of the horse world. But that in itself is a different story. Our boys really wanted a paint pony. There was a cute black and white broke paint gelding in the back, and we planned on bidding on it. Our kids rode It in the loose pen, and it seemed pretty mild. But when it went through the ring, it sold too high for what we had planned on spending. The disappointment was very evident in our boys’ crestfallen faces. But we also handled a couple little black ponies in the back, that had shoes pulled prior to the sale, and were friendly and broke. So we watched for those ones. When the little black pony with the white snip on her nose came through, our kids gave a nod of approval and we bought her. We also bought another beautiful palomino horse I had fell in love with in the back and felt sorry for. She was very thin and sad looking. We came home with a horse and pony in our little two horse trailer.

They named her Spark. The van was filled with excitement on our way home. The kids were so happy about their new pony and could hardly contain themselves. I was just hoping we made a good choice and she would be a calm enough pony to put up with five little boys!

The first day home, it was evident that we got a pretty special little pony. Spark, at 11 hh, and 14-15 years old, was patient in every way. She loved the little boys petting her, and brushing her. She was gentle on a lead rope, and she gave pony rides like a dream. I wished we had bought the other pony who had looked like her too. Spark picked up her feet like a champ, and she would follow a person anywhere with kids on her. Amish children, when they are young, often train ponies this way. One child will ride the pony and the other will walk ahead of them, and then switch off, and then they will ride independently later on. We once met a the cutest little Amish boy twins that were about 5 years old, and they rode ponies together in this fashion. I was pretty delighted we had made a good choice. Some of our boys were disappointed that they did not find a paint. Some day, I will get those boys a second paint pony.

Spark has continued to live up to her name time and time again. She “sparks” joy. She has sparked a love of horses into a LOT of children. She’s taught my children responsibility, and how to care for a horse. They learned to pick out hooves on Spark. They learned from the farrier about proper hoof care. They learned to bathe a horse and brush them, and properly lead a horse. They learned about dental care when Chenoweth’s came out and did teeth for us and they got to watch the process. They have learned their basic riding skills on that pony!

I have a lot of good memories of my kids with Spark. The first time they rode double is one. In the yard of the house with kids running around playing, I saw my two oldest boys riding Spark around double together. Going on a ride through Westport subdivision with one of my kiddos and Spark is one memory that will always make me smile. Seeing her go to a fun show with Hezekiah and win ribbons in their costume class dressed as Hiccup and Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon, is another To think Spark was a kill pen pony, was so disheartening. I watched my boys learn how to trot poles, and barrels on her. They learned that every animal, and person has a bad day here and there. Spark’s bad day was trying to knock Elijah off her back by going under the over hang of the gooseneck trailer with him. Or occasionally trotting off to the barn with a less confident kiddo. . Spark is an angel compared to some. She has never offered to buck, or rear, or bolt with my children. My oldest boy got brave enough to stand up on her back and rode her at a walk crouched down on her. He loped her once or twice and that was enough speed for him. They are still building confidence. Seeing some of the horses we have had, they know to be cautious. We have had a little bit of every kind of bad behavior.

Spark is very bonded with my old Arabian mare, Lightning. Everywhere they go, you will see those two together. Lightning used to act like Spark was her little baby. It’s very amazing to see the bonds that form between horses. I’ve seen a lot of horses get split up from an obviously bonded friend at the sale barn. Some people think horse’s don’t have emotions…They are wrong. I’ve experienced it first hand SO many times.

Spark is not the most well behaved pony at shows. It’s not her strong point. And she is a bit wheezy with heaves. She isn’t perfect and she is not super well trained, but she’s enough. Enough to trust her to take care of our littles. That’s a lot in my books. We discovered Spark’s favorite calling is that of a trail pony. She will lead, follow, or go in the middle. She will pack two kids around with her. My kids love trail riding, and so does Spark. It’s an adventure for both of them! The first trail ride we went on, she shone! Two kids rode her, and she walked and trotted on cue. She stopped and took a break when we did and the kids switched off on the horses they were riding. Spark didn’t blink at a thing. At home, she will allow my four year old boy to feel like a big kid and ride her following along another horse. She will follow another horse anywhere. So Jonathan can ride alongside his big brother on Spark, while he rides Jester or Bedda. Just walking along side the pony even, without having to hold her on a lead rope or hold on to her rein, makes the littlest kids feel like they are the biggest cowboys in the world.

If you’re debating on buying your kid a pony… Even if they are a “character builder” instead of a “confidence booster,” there are so many life lessons your child will learn. It is an investment into their lives. My vet jokingly says pony is a four letter word. Some days, I would agree. But Spark has been such a huge role in creating a wonderful childhood for my littles. I used to use the hash tag #fromkillpentobestfriend a lot. Spark has done that. She was someones discarded trash in the sale. I am thankful we brought her home that day.

If you are new to my blog, please feel free to check out our Facebook page, Aldrich Equine Adventures and you can find us on IG @aldrichequineadventures. Once a month we rescue horses and ponies like Spark. Spark was our first, since then we have rescued monthly all we can handle financially. Good ponies like her can be found at the sale barn every month. Maybe your child’s next best friend is in the next sale. We quarantine them, vet them, have their feet trimmed, deworm them and handle them and put ride time on them while they are with us. I have 7 children involved in getting ponies ready for a family that has kids and they do a great job! They love to help! If you’re looking, please contact us!