The First Horses - The Ones Who Made Us
They weren’t always the fanciest. Or the flashiest. Some wouldn’t load. Others wouldn’t stop. And a few of them—if we’re being honest—probably belonged in a field rather than under saddle.
But they were ours. Our first real partners.
The ponies we trusted before we even knew what it meant to trust. The ones who made us. And we’re here to honour them.
Because before there were wins, rosettes or schooling sessions in the rain, there was just a kid and a pony—learning each other. Falling off, getting back on, and slowly becoming brave.
When I put a call out to see who wanted to share their first horses and ponies with us, the response was so heart-warming and clear to see these ponies were worth their weight in gold. We tried to include as many as possible in the article.
Kate (@kate7408) still remembers Winston. “He put me on the floor a lot,” she laughed. “No other kids would ride him.” But she did. “I loved him as he was.”
That says more than any rosette ever could.
For Eadaoin (@siul_liom), it was a family affair:
"Dusty was just the sweetest, kindest pony we could have ever asked for. He was there from when my eldest sister was born right through all our childhoods.”
Some ponies don’t just raise one rider—they raise a generation.
And then there was Amber. Oonagh (@oonagh_o_brien) sums it up:
“I'm not sure my parents weren't trying to kill me... a halter and bareback and I only 2!! Amber was a very patient pony, that’s all I can say.”
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more classic Irish pony tale.
Those ponies gave us more than childhood stories—they gave us the foundation we still stand on today.
We learned resilience from the ones who bucked.
Patience from the ones who napped mid-test.
Compassion from the ones who struggled. And courage, from every single one of them.
And of course, we learned to circle those that took off!!!
More from our followers:
“Bouncer, 12.2hh 5yo, grey gelding. Loved dropping me at a X-Pole, I learned to sit up though!” - Lorraine (@Lorraineflash)
"Hattie, bought as an unbroken 4yo and still have her 15yrs on - broke and evented by me" - Megan (@lifeonmegsrein)
“Jazz, the first horse who was truly mine - he taught me patience
and trust 💗.” - Shireen (@Projectequine
They weren’t all saints. And they didn’t need to be.
Some had hearts bigger than their heads.
Others were more challenge than charm.
But they were all unforgettable.
So let’s say it properly: Thank you.
To the first ponies who tested us, ran off with us, taught us, and never
made it easy—
You showed us what it meant to work for it.
You mattered more than we realised at the time.
We haven’t forgotten.
This one’s for you.
Stay Sound,
Sarah x
