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Photo of Ivory Pal by Cheri Prill Tennessee Walking Horse Issue August 2010

At 22, Snoopy looks a little on the worn side, but she is nowhere near retirement. Snoopy’s job, her mission in life, is to train children to ride! Despite her masculine name (given to her by a child) and her species, she is all Mother Hen. Snoopy is a black and white Spotted Saddle horse measuring around 13.1 hands. She clips, loads, and bathes with ease. She may not be the flashiest pony you ever meet, but she is the perfect size for leading a small child on, or starting a child riding on their own.

Snoopy cannot brag on World Championship titles or hundreds of blue ribbons, though she has won a few ribbons. Her accomplishment in life is far greater. Snoopy has been the first mount for over 20 children. Some children jump right on her back, full of confidence. Others need coaxing and time to get ready to ride. No matter what the child needs, Snoopy is ready to adapt. She has spent many hours being led around the yard by a child, always watching small toes. She has traveled thousands of miles on trails and competed many times in the arena. Most importantly, she has spent twenty years loving and teaching children.

Snoopy has covered thousands of miles of trails in all types of weather and terrain. Sometimes she has been ponied by an anxious parent, but only for the parent’s peace of mind. Snoopy will follow the trail with other horses without straying, and always at a comfortable speed for the child. Many times, children have been scared to ride up or down hills. No worry -- turn Snoopy loose riderless, and she will meet the group at the bottom, though you may have to wait a minute on her. She takes hills slowly and deliberately and has even been known to leave an established rutted trail for a safer, easier route, always meeting back up with the group.

Though trails have been her main place to train children, Snoopy has seen many days in the arena through 4H, Leadline classes, Saddle clubs, and in Cattle events. In 4H, Snoopy has done everything from being a grooming demonstration to serving as a mount for children without a horse of their own. The Leadline classes for Youth 6 and under have seen Snoopy cleaned up at her best. At local Saddle clubs, she has participated in a variety of classes, including games. Though never a top contender, in the eyes of the competing child and parents who presented her, she has always taken the blue.

As if Snoopy had not seen and done enough in her life, a few years ago, she was introduced to cattle events. All though she had been used a few times to work cattle outdoors, the arena event was a new and exciting experience for her. She became a regular sight at Teampenning practices at the JMP arena in Woodbury, Tennessee on Friday nights.

Snoopy has spent the last twenty years being a mount for children who wanted to ride like the big kids! No matter their skill level, their rides on this pony leave them better riders with a little more experience. Snoopy has spent many hours walking circles around the yard and going repeatedly over obstacles. She allows children to catch her in the field, and many times she stands waiting, nickering at the gate. Her patience continues as she stands while little ones learn to saddle and bridle. On the trail with small children, she stays with the other horses. As for those children who are a little more adventurous, Snoopy keeps them safe through the rough or spooky places they dare to go. In the Arena, she may not have brought out the most blue ribbons of any pony, but she has always accomplished her job -- safely transporting children.

Foaled and raised by the Preston family at Smooth Futures Farms in Woodbury, TN, Snoopy has had the chance to touch many lives. Even though she may not be as agile as she was in her younger years, the family has no plan of selling her and continues to allow special young friends and family to ride her. The Preston family knows that good gaited ponies like Snoopy are priceless members of the family!

For all of you who have similar stories of ponies who have touched your life or your child’s life, you will fully understand how priceless gaited ponies can be. Hopefully, this little story about Snoopy brings back fond memories. For those who have not yet owned one, I hope you will get a chance to experience one of these priceless ponies with your own children or grandchildren. Just remember, children are the future of all Sound gaited activities. Find them a safe, nicely gaited animal, and remember their safety is worth the time, effort, and cost!

The Priceless Pony