PONY TAILS
AUGUST 2024
A Letter from Alice
Hello readers!
I hope you and your pony friends are enjoying the warm weather and sunshine I know I like to stay cool on a hot summer day with a nice cold hose, especially after a good long ride This time of year is my absolute favourite, because there is SO MUCH FUN to be had out in the horsey community. With many riding disciplines in the midst of their competition season, horse shows are taking place all over BC There are also fairs happening almost every weekend of August in different parts of the province, where you can check out all sorts of farm animals and ponies like myself! If you ’ re looking for equestrian activities to take part in with your friends and family this month, check out the resources below!
HCBC Event Calendar
https://hcbc.online/Calendar
Thunderbird Show Park
https://tbird ca/tenthings/
The PNE
https://www.pne.ca/pacific-spirit-horse-show/
BC Fairs
https://www bcfairs ca/events
Signed,
Alice the Pony
Horse/Pony Breed of the month: Quarter Horse
The Quarter Horse is the most commonly found breed in the USA, and is popular all over North America. This horse’s claim to fame is their high speed over short distances, making quarter horses excel in ranch work, cutting, barrel racing, reining, as well as English disciplines and so much more!
What breed do you want to see featured in our next issue? Reach out to Alice at ponytails.alice@hcbc.ca and let her know!
Pictured: Diva the Quarter Horse and her best pal Grace
Story Feature: Alice’s New Shoes
“OH BOY, THESE HOOVES REALLY NEED A MANICURE!” I REMARKED TO MY FRIEND STARLIGHT. WE WERE STANDING TOGETHER IN OUR PADDOCK, GLANCING DOWN AT MY WORN FEET. WE HAD BOTH BEEN GIVEN A FEW DAYS OFF TOGETHER AFTER OUR MOST RECENT COMPEITION. I HAD SPENT THE SUMMER DOING ALL SORTS OF HORSE SHOWS, CLINICS, AND TRAIL RIDES WITH MY OWNER - AND ALTHOUGH THE RIBBONS, LAUGHTER, AND FUN TIMES WERE WELL WORTH IT, I WAS EXCITED BY THE IDEA OF A BREAK AND SOME PAMPERING “YIKES!” SAID STARLIGHT IN AGREEMENT, “IT LOOKS LIKE YOU NEED TO SEE THE FARRIER FOR SOME SHOES ” “SHOES?” I REPEATED BACK TO STARLIGHT I HAD SEEN THE FARRIER COUNTLESS TIMES; AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 4-6 WEEKS EVER SINCE I WAS A TEENY TINY BABY FOAL HE SPECIALIZED IN TRIMMING HORSES FEET, KEEPING THEM BALANCED, AND SHOEING THEM IF NEEDED BUT I HAD NEVER HAD HORSE SHOES PUT ON BEFORE I WAS NERVOUS “AH, DON’T WORRY!” STARLIGHT REASSURED ME, NUDGING MY SHOULDER PLAYFULLY WITH HER MUZZLE, “BLACKSMITHS HAVE BEEN FITTING HORSESHOES FOR CENTURIES, LONG BEFORE YOU AND I WERE EVEN BORN. YOU’LL BE JUST FINE!” I SIGHED GENTLY. STARLIGHT WAS RIGHT. I TRIED TO THINK OF IT HOW MY READERS WOULD. IT’S LIKE HOW A NEW PAIR OF SNEAKERS MAKES YOU RUN FASTER AND BETTER - HORSE SHOES WOULD BE JUST THE THING TO HELP ME FEEL AND DO MY BEST.
THAT’S WHY ON FARRIER DAY, I STRUTTED INTO THE BARN WITH ALL THE CONFIDENCE AND BRAVERY I COULD MANAGE. “HELLO JOHN!” I NICKERED A FRIENDLY GREETING TO OUR BELOVED FARRIER, WHO ALWAYS GAVE ME AN APPLE AFTER EVERY VISIT. “HIYA ALICE!” HE CALLED BACK TO ME, “ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEW SHOES?”. “READY AS I’LL EVER BE!” I REPLIED, STEPPING INTO THE CROSS TIES WHERE JOHN HAD SET UP ALL OF HIS TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT.
I STOOD CALMLY AND QUIETLY WHILE JOHN GOT TO WORK CLEANING OUT MY FEET. HE THEN TOOK THE RASP, WHICH LOOKED LIKE A GIANT CHEESE GRATER, AND FILED AWAY AT MY HOOVES BEFORE FITTING ME WITH MY FANCY IRON SHOES. I WAS WORRIED THAT NAILING THEM IN WOULD HURT... BUT I DIDN’T FEEL A THING! JOHN WENT ON CLINK CLINK CLINKING WITH HIS HAMMER, AND AFTER A FEW FINAL TOUCH-UPS, WE WERE ALL DONE!
“WOW!” I EXCLAIMED IN WONDER. “HAVE A LOOK AT THESE!” BACK IN MY FIELD I SWISHED MY TAIL AS I SPUN AND RACED AROUND IN MY NEW SHOES, WITH MY PONY FRIENDS LAUGHING AND CHEERING ALONGSIDE ME
WHETHER IT’S GOING TO THE DENTIST OR EATING YOUR VEGETABLES, WE ALL SOMETIMES HAVE TO DO THINGS THAT WE DON’T WANT TO IN ORDER TO STAY HEALTHY AND HAPPY BUT JUST REMEMBER ONCE IT’S OVER, YOU’LL FEEL SOOOO MUCH BETTER!
Tic Tac Toe!
Cut out the apples and horse shoes below, grab a friend, and GAME ON! The goal is to get 3 in a row - whether it’s diagonally, vertically, or horizontally is up to you. Have fun!
Team Apple or Team Horseshoe... the choice is yours! Make sure to get an adult to help you when using scissors
HORSEY FACTS OF THE MONTH
Although horses can snooze while standing up, they need at least 30 minutes of deep sleep lying down every day in order to feel their best!
Out in the wild, horses can usually be found in groups containing 1 stallion (male), several mares (females) and their baby foals. This is called a harem!
This fella right here is a mule - a unique species of animal whose mom is a horse and dad is a donkey!
AUGUST 2024 COLORING PAGE
CAN YOU NAME THESE PARTS OF THE HORSE? TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH THE GRAPHIC BELOW, THEN SHOW OFF YOUR CREATIVE SIDE BY COLOURING IT IN!
(PSSST... DON’T WORRY... IF YOU NEED HELP FROM ALICE, SHE’S GIVEN YOU THE ANSWERS ON THE LAST PAGE)
