Kelly Acres Thyme Flies – 2007 Section A Welsh grey gelding

Flyer was born to one of the most beautiful mares we ever raised. However while beautiful, she was definitely not easy (embodying the wildness of the Mountain pony stock she descended from). Flyer decided to make her a bit frustrated and chose to hangout with my son Garret. While she was snorting and stomping her feet at her kid hanging with my kid, Flyer took it upon himself to be a protector of humans. As he started to grow up, I started to notice Flyer interacting with people in the guise of a bodyguard. Those who seemed nervous in the herd (which can be a bit overwhelming to most people), he would put himself between the herd and the human.

When he was in his third year, Garret decided we should start the training process. So we brought him in to the yard, separated him from the herd and commenced playing. Halter first, put it on and started leading him around. Seemed easy, groomed him, so far no issues (remember I was well aware of his moms aversion to humans), so we went to the roundpen. I sent Garret to the tackshed for a saddle and helmet (just in case he wanted to hop up). Apparently Flyer had some very good “fairy” trainers in the pasture, Tacking up was uneventful, and Garret climbed on and stated “Mom, I’m a horse trainer!!! Laughing I stated that it doesn’t always happen this easy son! We played a few more times, and life got in the way and Flyers training got neglected.

He did continue to enjoy being with humans (especially Garret), and I started to be aware of subtle things he would do, like touching people with is muzzle. I started to ask if they had physical issues in that area (I also practice a few different healing modalities). Most would be surprised and ask how I knew. I shared that I didn’t but Flyer did! Some I took out and didn’t ask, just allowed Flyer to point things out to me.

About this time, my life was taking some serious turns, and i would walk out to the bachelor pasture (stallions and gelding) and just chill. I received so many healing gifts from horses that many people would just as dangerous. Especially Geordie, Boo, Max and Flyer. They would stand behind me while was sitting on a blanket on the ground, gently press their knees into my back and hang their head over mine. The first time was a bit disconcerting as it broke all of the “rules” in what we should allow horses (especially stallions) to do, they were in my space with my back to them, not under any human control and I was sitting down, the safety police would have a breakdown! Strangely, that was the safest I had felt in many years, and each horse brought individual energy and healing, and sometimes they did it as a pair or a group. And I started to look for ways I could share this with others.

Dad started the pony herd with the intention that all kids should have access to ride great ponies/horses. Flyer put his spin on it, all humans could choose to have access to the healing gifts that horses are offering. So maybe his training being neglected was its own gift, it didn’t get “trained out of him” and I got to recognize that there is so much more horse will share that is much more meaningful than a trophy or ribbon. Since then Flyer has very accurately pointed out serious health issues (known and unknown by the human), shared emotional possibilities, and lived his best life as a member of a fairly substantial herd. He is a clever pony that doesn’t have “real” job using traditional descriptions!

2017 black dun grade gelding

Datsun arrived in our lives with a less than stellar reputation and has done a complete switch from a defensive, angry boy to an affectionate, respectful,willing pony. He loves grooming, and is a very quick learner! He is ready to have further education to become a lovely performance pony or he has shown incredible skills as a communicator in the EAL sessions he has taken part in.

2010 chestnut grade mare

Nissan is sweet, bold and fancy. Nissan has taught beginner lessons, however I think she would be happier with her own person as she gets slightly impatient with multiple beginners. She is trained to ride and drives single and double. She did have health issues when she arrived but has been healthy and sound since 2018. She is dam to Mazda so has produced at least one fabulous foal.

2008 grade grey gelding

Midnight came into our lives when Steve mentioned that he had seen an old friend that had a horse needing a new home. I asked what it was, Steve responded with the details he knew, “I dunno a grey?” So always up for adventures, I packed a few different sizes of bridles, girths, my saddle and a few halters and treats. We arrived and found out that it was his daughters horse, she had lost interest (which generally means boys or the horse wasn’t like a disney movie or both), and had escaped to the neighbors pasture for a couple of years. So now with the knowledge that the horse/pony, hadn’t been handled for a couple of years, we drove to the neighbors. And I did the safe/smart thing, grabbed a helmet, a few items of tack and went to meet Midnight, who was indeed grey!

He welcomed the treats, seemed a bit surprised to have a halter on, a bit shocked to be tacked up by a random stranger on a windy day! I climbed up (he is about 15.3HH) and we found out what each other knew. He tried to introduce me to a barb wire fence, I didn’t see the humor and we ventured out into the open pasture. I decided he was worth taking a chance on, so Midnight came home with us. He had obviously has some good basic training, was very obedient and a bit shut down. With a little bit of refresher training, he became a rockstar beginner lesson horse and started to show his charming personality.

He has a tendency to be stoic, rarely shows a lot of emotion, and reading his responses isn’t as easy as the more expressive horses. In order for horse to remain safe in the wild, they rarely express vulnerabilities. He is great as both a lesson horse and as a guru in helping people be aware of subtle communication. He is lower in the herd pecking order, and loves being allowed to shine! He often yawns to release stress the people are experiencing and has been known to roll in healing sessions to “shake off” whatever he sense as burdens within the humans. His personality reminds me of Eyore from WWinny the Poo, with an occasional glimpse of sardonic, but kind humor. He has gifted many people with the possibility of a fresh beginning and a safe space to sense joy!