Pony Time

Del, Nate Pony, Ian and Janie

Once a week, during warmer weather, we are blessed to have Pony Time. Our good friend Del Watkins is the Arkansas state director of Personal Ponies, which places UK Shetland ponies with special needs children. When the ponies are in between placements they come to her farm for care. To keep the ponies social, Del invites the public to her farm on Friday mornings. Del has a number of other farm animals too. A friend first invited Ian and myself to go before Ian could even walk. It was a muddy day and I carried Ian the whole time because I didn't want him to crawl in mud puddles or pony poo. He was probably about 16 months old at the time. The kind pony named Nate captured Ian's heart. Several families also attend regularly and we have built a unique community.
Last week was the first time this year for Pony Time. Janie had attended twice last year and I wondered how much she would remember. She was a bit nervous last week and clung close to me. Ian fit right in with the other kids and was busy brushing ponies, scooping poo, and generally enjoying the farm atmosphere. Today we returned and the weather was perfect. Janie was much more comfortable and even rode on Nate pony! Cowboy Ian showed Janie how it was done and she willingly followed suit. I enjoyed seeing our Pony Time friends and catching up with them. As my mother would say, a good time was had by all.