It began with the three of us traveling to Gettysburg. Who made up the three: The Lone Ranger, Tonto and Silver? Not quite. Instead, in this story the leading characters were my husband, our son and I. Our son would be studying the Civil War at school soon, and the trip would be educational as well as scenic and relaxing.
We hit the road for the two hour car trip to Gettysburg, took a short break for a quick lunch and geared up to recreate Pickett’s Charge.
The audio guides were quite graphic and did everything they could to make the scene come alive with war-like noises and sounds. Shouts of men, neighing of horses, and cacophonies of guns blasting came through our earphones louder and as tonelessly as Hip Hop. With a little imagination you could see the battle scene playing out.
After the emotional experience of war we wanted to see a different part of life in Gettysburg. The part dealing with peace. A sign pointing to a miniature horse farm was exactly what we needed.
“Let’s go there and see some tiny horses,” we said. So we turned off the road, bumping and jostling along the dirt path to the farm.
A small corral enclosing a group of small unsaddled creatures stood before our eyes. The animals resembled ponies, but they were full grown real horses.
Miniature horses are perfectly proportioned to a standard sized horse and retain all the characteristics of horses. That’s what we were told. What does it mean? I have no idea, but they were very appealing. If I were viewing an equine police line up, trying to pick out the miniature horse from the pony, probably the wrong creature would be charged, tried and convicted.
In this discussion of differences did I happen to mention anything about poor impulse control or that we decided to buy a horse?
We did not live on a farm. We did not own a large piece of land. We did not own a barn. We knew nothing about raising horses, ponies or venture capital.
Trivialities!
We arranged to have our new miniature horse delivered to our house in a horse trailer. Our house was in a residential area with all of 1/4 acre of land. The tool shed would become the animal’s stable. Out with the rakes, shovels and plant fertilizers, in with the hay and saddle and tack equipment. And hoof pick, water bucket, and curry brush.
The children were as excited as they would be meeting Justin Bieber!
A young woman who worked at a nearby horse farm agreed to give the children riding lessons. Our property abutted a private elementary school with a creek separating our property from the school’s playing field.
With the addition of a narrow plank bridge the width of a miniature horse and three miniature people, access to the field was easy.
Did our town’s residential property laws permit ownership of a horse? I never noticed anybody else in our neighborhood housing a horse. Were we permitted to ride a horse on the private property of a school? I never thought to ask.
At the beginning it was fun having the little horse, Sandy, living with us. He was gentle, friendly, and patient. The children took turns feeding him, bringing fresh water for him and mucking out the stable. At the beginning.
As children are known to do, they grew at a startling rate and after a few months of riding blissfully around the field, feeling like cowboys, they suddenly became too tall to ride Sandy. In child’s logic, “Why take care of an animal if you can’t have fun with him any more?”
So back to the horse farm went our miniature horse, and our great adventure with living the equine life in suburbia. I never found out if we should have been prosecuted for laws of inappropriate occupancy. I can tell this story now that the Statute of Limitations has expired.
I assume.
MorristownMemos 
Comments on: "HI HO SILVER" (17)
He sounds adorable…he must miss you all – do you ever visit him?… I ‘m reminded of the amazing video of a wounded lion a woman rescued, and him trying to cuddle her through the bars five years later, when she visited the zoo she gave him to….
I am not sure whether he misses us; it can’t be easy to live in a home where 3 small children clamor for attention and rides. No, we have never visited his back at the miniature horse farm, I think of the experience as one from the past and have moved ahead to new ones: like blogging and meeting nice people like you!
There is a miniature horse farm on Northfield Rd. in Livingston.
It must have been such fun.
If I go to see that farm I’ll be certain not to bring my grandchildren with me. History is known to repeat itself!
Hi DEAR Ronnie, Way Way back in the EARLY 1950s, the Lone Ranger was my HERO while TV was still black and white, on every day after school, oh so really REAL More recently, about ten years back we took two of our grandsons to Gettysburg. The adventure was enhanced by GrandPa providing a narrative ahead of time to whet their appetites. We were booked at one of the nicer lodgings for three days. One of them was visibly trapped with a royal upset stomach which proved it’s intensity while walking the battlegrounds, collapsed in the room, was as white as the sheets, they love everything about it, the MOST APPEALING was the store selling all the memorabilia. I waited in the car while Grandpa accompanied them to make their selection. He replaced the Lone Ranger in my esteem. From the car window, I could see them arms filled with large trinkets, the ill one let loose over the railing of the shop, they then returned to the inside, unfazed, selecting finer historical gems. I doubt the boys will recall slices of humor, the tolerance of Grandpa, or where those Gettysburg treasure’s are today. Thanks for your version of the Trip to Gettysburg entailed and it’s extended carryover. it was not just a visit,then go home. it was Jack who sent the thank you note , he genuinely appreciated your kindness. hugs and may there be many more highlights in store while you think life has become more sedate. L
Jack Or Lynn jnlmurphy@aol.com
That was quite the tale of your visit to Gettysburg, Lynn. Thanks for sharing the details of your memorable visit.
Great pet story! Glad you were able to return the little horse and I’m sure the children learned a lot about animals in the time you had him. Cute story!
I said we were able to return the horse to the miniature horse farm; I didn’t say anything about getting our money back! It’s become a favorite tale about what it was like to grow up with people like us as parents!
I am sure the statute of limitations on a small horse is very short.
In case the authorities catch up with me, may I use your name as my legal reference?
I would be delighted, but offer no guarantees as to the success of trying such a tactic.
Of course. I’m sure the judge would believe me.
Very funny, Andrew!
Very surprised that the neighbors didn’t complain. I’m sure they would today. But what fun for your children, even if it was short-lived. Most youngsters would choose something simple like a puppy or turtle. You must have encouraged a creative spirit.
It was such a novelty in the neighborhood that nobody thought to be offended. And all the neighborhood children loved the miniature horse rides!
Hi Ho Pronto!
Sorry you left out little details like the horse entering our house(how did we get him out)
A few other memories, but it was “fun” sharing this experience as a family.
Harvey
You’re right; that little creature walked right into the house as if he were another of our children. Too bad we didn’t have an extra ice cream cone for him!