Animal Magic by Carolyn Press-McKenzie

Author:Carolyn Press-McKenzie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2015-03-27T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

A change of environment

As Jim and I struggled through the ups and downs of rescue work we noticed that every bad situation always had a silver lining.

Whether it be a lesson learnt or new relationship built, there was always something. And with Pixie the pony we gained both.

The lesson we learnt was that it is not always possible to get it right. No matter how careful we were when choosing a new home and no matter how good the new owners seemed at the time, situations and even agendas can change. The most important thing then is for us to stay available and be there if we are ever needed to pick up the pieces.

I remember like it was yesterday the day Pixie’s owner called us.

‘If you don’t come and get this bloody pony, I’m gonna lose it. I’m gonna give her the bash,’ said the voice down the other end of the phone.

Slightly alarmed by the threat, I talked more with Pixie’s mum, methodically retrieving information so I could piece together the scenario that had led to her making the phone call.

‘So are you saying you want to hit your pony?’ I carefully asked in a pleasant tone.

‘Yeah, nah, it’s bloody driving me around the bend. The cheeky tart’s pushing all my buttons and, honestly, I don’t damn well trust myself with her . . . can you take her or not?’

What a character. They were big fighting words, but under all the bravado I could hear in her voice that despite the meltdown she cared deeply for the pony and its future. As we talked further she explained in her clumsy way that she didn’t want Pixie going just anywhere. She told me that she was a very experienced horsewoman and if she couldn’t cope with the brat of a pony then she worried no one else would be able to. She just wanted Pixie safe and out of harm’s way . . . hers was essentially an honest cry for help.

As I hung up the phone and relayed the content of the call to Jim, I added, ‘If only more folk were brave enough to ask for an intervention.’

Within the hour we were at her house and Pixie was introducing herself to Jim and me. She was stunning, a steel grey pure-bred Welsh mountain pony, only two years old. Her owner was right, she was a hugely extroverted character and with both of them having opinionated and bolshy natures it was very apparent why they clashed.

She explained that when Pixie was just days old her mother died after eating something poisonous and that Pixie had to be bottle-fed by her breeder. The lady had bought Pixie off the breeder just six months ago, and she had already broken her to saddle.

We said our goodbyes and took Pixie home where she took a shine to the motley crew straight away. They kept her entertained and out of mischief, enjoying her cheeky games, and leaving her happy and satisfied.

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