IT STARTED WITH A RAM..........

If you'd told me a few weeks ago that I was soon to be the very proud owner of a beautiful chestnut and white skewbald colt I'd have laughed out loud! (And those of you who really know me will realize that the emphasis there would have been on the word LOUD!)
I've always been 'out of my wits' for Shetland ponies, ever since I was eight months pregnant with my first son. I went for a walk one Sunday afternoon, and, seeing as there was a chill in the air, I put on my duffle coat. I saw the ponies approach the fence not far from the house so imagined they'd be friendly enough.
A point to note here:not all Shetland ponies that LOOK sweet ARE sweet!!
I got to the fence , but must have got a little too close because the next thing I knew was the darned animal had hold of the corner of my duffle coat and was trying to pull me over the fence! Looking back now, about 38 years later, it was rather humorous. There was I, 8 months pregnant, looking like a gable end with a large conservatory, and here's this determined equine hauling me for all it's worth over a fence, badly in need of repair.
I think by the end of it, it was ME who was badly in need of repair, both physically and emotionally!
So that was my first horrible encounter with a Shetland pony and I never thought that at any time in my life a little one would come along and totally steal my heart!

As I wrote in the heading to this post, 'it started with a ram'. I had gone to someone's house (I'll call her Dee) to look at a ram she thought I may be interested in for my flock. As it turned out, he was indeed exactly what I was looking for and I said right away I would have him. Then she asked if I'd like to see the ponies. There were four altogether and I was not wearing a duffle coat!  Oh yes, I'd love to see the ponies haha!! GULP!
It seemed to be the biggest one that kept  walking towards me and showing an interest in my pockets, which as always had ewe nuts in them. I was a little freaked but Dee said he'd be fine, he was a gentle colt and I wasn't to be afraid. Well, funnily enough, he came and stood beside me and I tentatively stroked his forehead. She encouraged me to put a little more pressure on and not keep taking my hand away. (Yes, I'd seen it's teeth, I was not afraid!! Hah ) So that's what I did. And little by little that little pony (who I only IMAGINED was the biggest one there), kept coming and standing next to me. If any of the other ponies came around me, this one would push them away and allow me to stroke him again.
"He's never been like this with anyone else", Dee said."In fact he's more likely to go away if anyone comes around and tries to gain his attention."
"But I've never really liked Shetland ponies in the past", I said. "Why would he choose me?"
"You're a very peaceable person", she answered. "Ponies need to feel that peace or they get flighty."
I have to say at this point, I was also feeling a peace with this little guy. But it seemed so bizarre to have come for a ram and fall in love with a furry little pony. And yet I knew it was right and I told her I would have him as well and his name would be Quinn.I went home that night and couldn't stop thinking of him. I must have lain awake half the night just thinking of things we would do together. The fun we'd have in the summer. The little tricks I would try to teach him.
The other half of the night was spent wondering how on earth I was going to break the news to my long-suffering husband.

Next time I'll tell you about getting Quinn home...........with his little pal!! And it wasn't the ram!

Kate