MOTHER'S CHILDREN

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The Barkers have discovered that a farmstead pony is not only a good friend and fun to have around, but also a big help with the chores.

I once forgot to follow that last rule myself. This past spring, after Trigger had been in the barn all winter, I got him out to pull a very heavy load of manure up a hill. Because the pony hadn't done such hard work for a long time, he sprained a muscle in his leg and became lame. It took about three months, and a lot of aspirin tablets, to get Trigger healed!

Our second pony, Sunny, was ten months old and already trained to walk on a short lead when we got her. I tried to teach her to walk on a long line, but she never seemed to get the hang of it, so I let that idea drop. Instead, I spent about three months grooming her every day, walking her on the short lead, and getting to know her better.

Even so, when I finally tried to mount that pony for the first time, I expected the worst of it ... but Sunny was happy to walk around calmly. I really had gained her confidence. I then spent a month teaching her the basic commands: whoa (stop), get-up (go), walk, trot, canter, gallop, reverse, gee (go right), haw (go left), and back up. Now, she's great fun to ride in the pastures, and is used to seeing and going over strange objects such as bright towels and plastic bags. But she's not traffic-safe yet. That'll be my next teaching job!

COSTS AND REWARDS
There are many expenses involved in owning a pony . . . including the cost of buying the animal, its feed, and riding gear. You'll also have to spend many hours caring for it. But you'll get a lot back from your pony, too. It can work hard for you around the farmstead, and that'll make up for all the time you spend caring for it. And you can even make money by doing things like selling colts or giving rides. A little ingenuity and persistence on your part can make sure that a new pony becomes a very worthwhile addition to your family's life.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Anyone who's thinking about buying a pony or horse for the first time may want to read the fine article "What to Consider Before Buying a Horse" in the October 1981 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

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