In April 2009 Simon did the splits with his back legs, broke his pelvis and severed a blood vessel causing slow internal bleeding. Simon, according to the man that sold him to me was a Connemara pony crossed with a Thoroughbred. I cried for three days and in between sobs I wrote a silly rhyming poem which I don't think follows any rules of poetry or if it does it certainly wasn't deliberate! People said 'All that carry on isn't just about a horse'. I can tell you it absolutely was all about a horse. In the style of Black Beauty (the horse is the narrator), this is Simon's Autobiography.
A foal was born one special day,
With eyes of coal and coat of bay.
I missed my Mum when I was sold,
I wasn’t really very old.
They took me off to a special farm,
With pastures green and stables warm!
They taught me well, and I learned quick,
Cause as you know I’m far from thick!
I found learning simple all the same,
So Simon then became my name.
I got sent out on loan,
But I came back all forlorn,
I’d picked up some horrible mites,
They made me itch and scratch for nights.
When the mites were banished and gone,
I still looked skinny and withdrawn.
An allergy meant I needed spray,
So midges and flies would stay away.
I worried I’d get left on the shelf,
Cause I wasn’t looking quite myself.
Then one day a big horse came,
He had to be sold what a shame,
But then I saw he’d brought a friend
And I was already on the mend.
A full-grown woman with a childhood dream,
Just might put up with my regime.
We went for a little trot and walk,
Then the people had a lengthy talk.
“This is Simon, that’s his name,
Cross Country and Show jumping are his game,
He’d be showing champion potential,
Unfortunately his height is consequential.
An inch too tall for the pony classes,
So he’s still here as time passes.
He’s level headed and his calm presence,
Makes him useful in our riding lessons”.
I saw a sparkle in your eye,
We’d already bonded you and I,
“You say he stands at fourteen – three,
Even more the perfect horse for me”
And so I said my goodbyes,
I’d found a home, what a prize.
The big white horse and I were swapped,
So then into the trailer I hopped.
But as soon as we arrived at home,
I suddenly felt I was on my own.
Then as I was backing out,
I lost my footing and gave a shout.
I settled into my new home,
No further did I have to roam.
As the weeks passed I grew stronger,
My coat gleamed as my hair grew longer.
Putting on weight and building muscle,
You didn’t make me hurry or hustle.
Then you came to me one day,
And said we were both going away.
Of the trailer I was scared,
I’ll get in with you, you declared.
But the next thing out you got,
In there by myself? I think NOT!
I stood and shook with legs like jelly,
Then turned on my heels and gave it welly.
I didn’t mean to crush your toe,
But you didn’t listen when I said NO!
I had a friend just over there,
An equine companion just can’t compare.
She had to go it came about,
Because her grass had all ran out.
Although you were my one and only,
I couldn’t help it, I got lonely.
You searched the country far and wide,
For a friend for me and for Ellie to ride.
In a place not too far away,
Was a chubby pony who would disobey,
Full of character and personality,
And quite a hint of criminality.
Fizzy and pushy and if gone unchecked,
Would treat us all with disrespect,
But although he’s cheeky and even brash,
Everyone loves him in a flash!
So after careful introduction,
Bob told me his plans of mass destruction,
Well fun and games are great, I agree,
But there’s not that much of a rebel in me.
So while Bob went off on a little trip,
I just stayed home cause I knew you’d flip.
Bob got bored and that’s the clencher,
With a friend, further he’d dare to venture.
Even though I was always the smartest,
It’s hard to argue with our escape artist.
One day I just felt compelled to run,
Because my feet were newly done.
I thought we’d go visit the Donkey,
Bob was bored of him the cheeky monkey,
So we ventured off to new terrain,
As I wondered how we’d get home again.
It took a while for us to be found,
But there we were safe and sound.
We had walked and walked all day,
And now we were three miles away.
Into to the horse-box Bob did go,
But not for me as you already know.
There’s nothing wrong with a little walk,
We didn’t mind we’d have a talk.
But we were in unfamiliar terrain,
And next thing it began to rain.
All of a sudden a dog came bounding,
What happened next was quite astounding.
I panicked and did a little dance,
It made me stumble and lose my stance,
As I tried to get up and untangle,
My leg slid out at an awkward angle.
At last I managed and up I stood,
The shock on your face said it wasn’t good.
I wasn’t afraid because you were calm,
And held my head between your palms.
The vet declared it was a fracture,
We’d need all the courage we could manufacture.
The trailer came, my eyes were wide,
As I got roughly shoved inside.
The hard work to come is not for the faint,
But it would all be done without complaint.
Instructions were followed to the letter,
To ensure that I’d get better.
I was healthy and happy, young and fit,
And it never occurred you must admit.
You were so worried and teary eyed,
And wanted to stay right by my side.
I turned away so you would know,
That this was time for you to go.
For I knew t’would drive you round the bend,
If you’d witnessed the moment my life did end.
And it’s hard to look at an empty space,
So everyone put flowers in my favourite place.
Bob thought they looked quite yummy,
And would have preferred them in his tummy.
Given time hearts will mend,
And Bob can be your new best friend.
You hear a shriek and wonder why,
As little Ellie starts to cry.
She’s never heard such baloney,
And quickly shouts “Bob’s MY pony!”
Well maybe some day far away,
Another equine will come to play.
Every great life has its story,
And this is mine in all its glory.
For an equine loved as much as me,
This is not the end you see.
And while you continue life’s adventure,
In pastures new I do venture.
And just beyond the rainbows end,
I’ll wait for my forever friend.
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