Rent-a-Pony Adventures
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 
Today's post includes another gem from one of HH's favorite (and most prolific!) family photo albums: Bill Winner's. This time Bill introduces us to the female side of the family, including cousin Danna (left) and sister Vickie (right). Keep an eye on Vickie, 'cause she may pop up in a future Traveling Pony post, too!
Bill writes:
"Cousin Danna rides with my sister Vickie at the local rental stables, 1964. The stables were at 50th street and Boston Avenue in Lubbock, Texas. At that time 50th was a dirt road, the southernmost street in town. 1958 Everything south of there was dirt fields and cotton fields. Now the streets number well beyond 114th. I only know of one public rental stable now, at a nearby lake, but there probably are more.
It's flat and boring here so the horses didn't get a chance to do much more than go, turn and stop. So we started going to Red River, New Mexico. A beautiful place with wonderful trails through mountain and stream. They had many stables with great horses. Some quite spirited. I was just a goofy kid that rode some, fished some, and got in the way a lot. I rode just enough to know how to make the horse my amigo. I showed them who's boss, but one (that spirited one) still tried to rub me off on a tree. I hung tough and I think he was surprised I was still on.
"A wonderful song by Luke Reed says in part:
"Every horse is born with the same spirit,
It's the hand of man that makes his blood run cold.
To win his heart and soul,
You must make him your amigo,
That's the truth of every horse I ever rode."
I recently returned from a weekend getaway during which -- despite the fact that I already spend most of my hard-earned money on board, lessons, farrier, etc., so that I can ride my own horse every day -- I couldn't resist shelling out another hundred bucks for a trail ride along the beach. For those of us who love horses, it's hard to deny that almost-magnetic pull toward any horse anywhere, especially when removed from our natural environment (the barn), whether on vacation or otherwise. Without realizing it, we suddenly find ourselves at the only public stable within 100 miles (or in the Winners' case, across state lines in the hills of New Mexico!), pockets stuffed with carrots, conveniently donning the boots and breeches that just happened to find their way into our suitcase (you never know!), grinning from ear to ear and blabbering, ponies? Are there ponies here? Can I pet them?
But I think this magnetic pull is perhaps even stronger between the horseless rider and ownerless horse -- rather, those equestrians who don't own their own horse, and those horses who don't have a single rider -- for these two seem to share a common bond; though their time together is short, it is nonetheless savored and sacred. For the rider, it is the opportunity to satiate that life-long desire; to be near horses, breathe in the sweet aromas of leather and hay, scratch coarse coats and manes; feel the beat of hooves from the saddle; imagine what this moment would feel like spread out over days, weeks, months; and memorize all the tiny details so as to summon them up at will. For the horse, it is being hugged, stroked, photographed and fawned over; spoken to in a sweet voice; respected for the singular beast that he is, and offered the carrots and apples that are proof of these things. For both rider and horse this is a brief moment in time, unique and irreplicable, and over almost before it began. These breif moments of happiness and adventure are rare, indeed, in the book of life.
For a short time, I worked as a mounted guide at the Hyde Park stables in London, and I saw it there, too; even in the bustling metropolis, horse lovers found their way to horses, that gleam of potential riding in their eyes, looking to make a new amigo. It is this common magnetism that keeps Rental Stables operating even as cities develop; as 50th street spreads to 114th in Lubbock, and the price of living (and vacationing) in London skyrockets.
I, for one, haven't had a single Rent-a-Pony experience in which I haven't wanted to bring my pony home, whether it be the connemara I rode through the hills of Ireland, or the quarter horse I rode along the beach in Cape Hatteras. Judging by the grin on Vickie's face, I'd say she'd happily take that beautiful paint home in an instant. And she has, in a way, in this treasured family photo, which is so generously shared here with us.
As always, thank you for sharing these wonderful photos, Bill. Readers, you can revisit the other members of Bill Winner's family here and here.
Care to share some of your own Rent-a-Pony stories?
Reader Comments (4)
Thank you Abby. This is a great ride down memory lane (trail). Oh how we dreamed of being owners, but your words remind me how special it always felt to just be in the presence of these magnificent animals. I can only imagine what it must be like to get up and see your amigo everyday. Thanks again.
I'm so glad you like it, Bill! This, as with all your photos and stories, has been a treat to write about -- not to mention that they've all been an integral part of the beginning of this site. I really can't thank you enough!
PS. I really love Danna's glasses, too.
Nice site, Abby. Bill let me know he posted a couple of photos with you. It is fun to see them here. I'm pretty sure this is a few years older than 1964, though. I graduated from HS in '65 and was much more into makeup and big hair by then. : )
Keep up the good work.
I'm glad you like the site, Kate! And thanks for letting us share your photos -- they are wonderful. I especially love the smiles and the big blue sky in the background here -- must have been beautiful riding weather. What more could a girl want??