Skippy - Description

It’s amazing how small the world really is. A co-worker asked me if I wanted any ponies. We very rarely turn down a free horse at Borderlands so of course we said yes! There wasn’t much information about the ponies other than my co-worker’s brother-in-law had two ponies he was looking to rehome. His boys had outgrown the ponies and had moved on to bigger and better things. If we weren’t to take them, they were headed to an auction.

It took a little bit to coordinate schedules, but the first weekend in February 2009 we hooked up the trailer and headed east. When we arrived, we didn’t get much more information other than one was named Tommy and one was named Skippy. We weren’t even sure who was who but we made a guess. Luckily both ponies jumped into the trailer and were ready to head for new adventures.

We decided that the sorrel and white mini was named Skippy. It wasn’t even possible to see his little ears while he patiently stood in the trailer.

Not much was known about either pony at the time. We just knew they couldn’t run through the auction. Who knows where they would have ended up. We proudly posted pictures of Skippy on the blog and got a response to his history.

Apparently Tommy and Skippy were once owned by someone located in Minnesota. The landlord said the ponies had to leave immediately, so the people contacted Horse Help Providers (DoupleHP, now known as New Hope Horse Shelter).

The ponies were then adopted out to a family with children. At the time DoupleHP did not have a contract with adopters stating that if they no longer wanted the horses or could financially care for them, they would be returned. When the children outgrew the ponies, they asked if they could/should rehome them and were granted approval.

That’s how Skippy came to live with my co-worker’s brother-in-law. Once their kids outgrew Skippy, the co-worker contacted us.

Of the two ponies, Skippy is much naughtier. He has a sweet personality and a naughty personality. Since he has one blue eye and one brown eye, we joke that one side is his good side and one side is his naughty side. After talking with DoubleHP, we found out that Skippy is actually registered. His registered name is D&W Spice’s Little Skipper and that his birthday is 5/14/2002. We were very happy to learn a little bit more history on Skippy.

Skippy’s only flaw is that he is very attached to Tommy. Wherever Tommy goes, Skippy follows. If we take Tommy out, Skippy whinnies at the top of his lungs. Skippy is a bit cresty in the neck as he wasn’t gelded until he came to DoubleHP. We do believe he kept some of his testosterone hidden away because he acts bigger than he really is. When there is a fence/gate between him and the rest of the horse herd, he torments them. It’s fun to watch as both the big horse and Skippy like to harass one another. It’s always fun to stand and watch the shenanigans. Like Tommy, Skippy takes a rider although we do not know if he’s broke to ride or if he’s only been used as a lead line pony. In either case, he makes the kid’s faces light up. I’m sure Skippy doesn’t think it’s much fun lugging the kids around so we always keep a watchful eye on Skippy to make sure he doesn’t make any “pony” moves.

When he first arrived he was a nipper. He’s since learned that nipping is not allowed in little ponies or big horses. He’s become quite a gentleman and always keeps one blue eye on everything.