My first pony was Billie.  He was a Paint and I believed the most beautiful pony in the whole world.  When I received Billie he was foundered and I had to wait quite a while before I was able to ride him. 

Laminitis, commonly called founder, is an acutely painful inflammation of the foot. It occurs most often in the front feet although it can affect the hind feet as well. Founder is the name given to the resultant tissue damage and complications following one or a series of acute attacks of laminitis.

In the worst case, permanent damage to the laminae can result and the attachment of the coffin bone to the hoof wall breaks down. The whole weight of the horse bears down on the coffin bone, and without the attachment to the hoof wall, the bone rotates down and can actually be pushed right through the sole to the ground. (Acreage Equines)

It took several trimmings by the blacksmith to get him back onto the right track.  I had to wait months for him to be able to run instead of hobble as he did.  I could have chosen a pony that was ready to go when I received it, but instead chose the pony that I loved.  I have always had a really soft spot for the underdog.

When Billie was finally ready I was beside myself as I was going to take my first ride on my pony.  Billie and I had watched for months as my brother Pat rode on Duchess and Tommy took off on Tippy.  We longed to feel the wind running through our hair as we galloped past them after a hot pursuit. 

Now the day was here and I had brushed and combed Billie so he would shine for his first outing.  We headed out trailing Tippy and Duchess.  I had to try hard to hold Billie back as he wanted to fly.  I wanted to be sure he didn’t hurt himself.  Finally, with my arms sore from fighting against him, I let him go.  He trotted at first gradually working his way to the canter and then a full on gallop.  It was the most glorious feeling to see him running (finally) with the other ponies.  To watch the wind running through his mane. 

He held his head higher after that day.  He was no longer the one left behind, he was now the one leading the way.  In some ways Billie and I both caught up that day.  We both learned that persistence pays off and that with the right amount of love and care you can jump over obstacles.  Billie never shied away from anything when it came to jumping.  I once tried to keep him from jumping a tree that had fallen across the path which was almost as high as the bottom of his chest.  He was having none of it!  He didn’t come as far as he did and go through it all to walk around the obstacles.  Billie flew across the tree and I never held him back again. 

Sadly, my brothers and I outgrew the ponies and they had to move to a new home.  I wished Billie and his new owner well and reminded them that nothing held him back now.  A lot like me!