Tommy and Skippy History

Back in November 2008, a coworker mentioned they had two ponies that a family member was considering getting rid of. I was worried that they would be shipped off to an auction so I said I would take them. At the time I was recovering from my loss of Ace so I did drag my feet and tried to ask a few questions. Unfortunately my coworker didn't know too much about the ponies. She answered what questions she could.

I decided that no matter what I wanted to bring them home. It took a few more months to get everything figured out but the first Saturday of February 2009 we'd made arrangements to go pick up the ponies.

When we arrived, they had one pony tied up but were trying to catch the other pony. I started getting apprehensive but figured I'd just give them some time. As we were walking toward the trailer, I learned their names, Skippy and Tommy. I also learned that thier kids rode the horses around bareback but that was about it. The dad of the kids didn't really know too much about horses so they didn't work with the ponies that much.

So we loaded them up and went home. The first thing I did was pull the halters off. Their halters were a bit snug and the winter hair showed it. Luckily after time and shedding out, you can't even tell they were wearing halters.

A few months after bringing Tommy and Skippy home, my coworker mentioned she ran into someone who know Tommy and Skippy and that they were once absued. That was about it. My coworker gave my name out and so that this person in question could contact me. I figured that would be fine anyway. The more I learn about the history of the ponies the better.

Well, this week that person in question contacted me. That person runs the local horse rescue. Apparently Tommy and Skippy came from the rescue. I'll paste in some experts from email correspondance:

" have been trying to track down the little ponies Skippy & Tommy. They were 2 of our first to be adopted way back when, and our original contract said adopters could find new homes for the ponies if they needed to, as long as the new homes met the care requirements.

well, we lost track of them. but this a.m. I got an email saying that Skippy & Tommy live with you now!
Do you have them? oh I hope so. then I won't worry about them anymore."

I requested more information. Here's the next email:
"oh I am so glad we know where they are and that they are with you.

did you know these were Skippy and Tommy? did you know they went through DoubleHP?

We adopted them to Tom & Lori Morris of Dell Rapids. (they also have Mercury who Lori rides). Lori called me when they decided the kids really weren't interested in the ponies anymore. And I told them we wanted to find them a new home. But then they decided to do it themselves (which our contracts allowed for at that time). They said they found a great home for them. a family with some little boys with disabilities.

We first got them from MN. I would have to dig out the file to see how many years ago. They were not starved but the landlord had given the owner a day to get the ponies off the place. (it was an in-law squabble type thing) and, well, they really couldn't afford them anymore. Skippy needed to be gelded. they didn't have a horse trailer. and on and on. so we went and got them. I rode Tommy a few times. he didn't know much but he was quite willing and I always thought with the right person he would be one of those nice riding ponies not a stubborn one. but the Morrises didn't do much with them. I know they were careful to keep them on dry lot and grass hay only, to make sure they didn't founder.

so, do you think you got them from the people the Morrises sold them to? the family with the little boys with disabilities? or do you think there were other homes along the way?

do they seem okay? are their feet good? were they careful not to let them founder?
from the photos, it looks like their halters had been on for a long time and tight. and I am imagining that I can see backbones. but it's hard to tell with winter hair.
how were they when you got them?

do they have any health issues?

I think we have Skippy's papers! He's registered!"

I'm surprised Skippy is registered. Hopefully I can get the paperwork so I can see his bloodlines. I'm just curious really. I answered all the questions. Tommy and Skippy came to me in good health. My farrier said they were healthy ponies and had been very well taken care of. Really it was a chance happening that these two were lucky enogh to stay together and not head to an auction.

I think they have been together for years. That would explain Skippy's herdboundness to Tommy.

The family with the disabled children is the same family that I got Tommy and Skippy from. Luckily from the time they went into rescue until they came to me, they only had two families. I wish I knew more as far as time frame goes but I guess I'm just happy to know a little bit more history on them.

It's such a small world. And to think, if I had not taken Tommy and Skippy in, they probably would have headed to Kramers, been separated, and lost forever headed in separate paths that no one could trace back. It's a small world I tell ya. I guess that's why I have such a hard time saying no.

Maybe some day I'll never have to say no to a horse. I'll have a dry, warm stall for them in the winter, plenty of pasture and hay to graze on, and constant love.

Keep your fingers crossed that I can get a bit more information from the horse rescue. Any information is always better than nothing. I need to start documenting all the information on each horse. Not that I would get rid of any of them but to tell a story. Each horse as a story to tell even if some of that story is unknown.

So the mystery of Tommy and Skippy is starting to unravel.