Rawhide

So I thought I'd get a pony for the kids. My neighbor had one we could try out. Seemed like the perfect pony. Stocky, pocket sized, but big enough that I could get on and ride. Eats barely anything. Free to keep in the yard.

We brought him home. He was perfect in the yard. The kids got on, we walked him around. Then they wanted to go out "into the world," as Nathan said. "Wait, let's get to know him." For like, 5 years, I'm thinking. But kids like to do everything, all at once, right now.

The next day we did venture out. I did everything the owner said to do. Lunge him first to get any excess energy out. Use a stud chain across his nose to control him in case he got out of hand.

Nathan and I took a walk with the pony and we did great. Very mellow, no problems. Came back to get Emma. The whole family goes out for a walk on the street, the big wide empty street near our house. If we were in England, we'd be on the nice soft moors. I stress the word SOFT. But we're in LA, man. We're cement here.

So we get down to the Penske truck rental place with no problem. I'm pulling the baby in the wagon. Nathan's riding his bike. I'm holding the pony by the lead rope as Emma rides. We start ambling back home.

Then something happens. Either the pony hears something, or decides it's SHOWTIME, I don't know. Suddenly, the pony is RUNNING. He is STRONG. He has become an ELEPHANT. Everything is happening in slow motion. My kid is on a pony and the pony is now huge and mean. And trying to leave with my baby, and my arm. I can't hold him. Emma holds on as I run alongside, trying to pull him back. Then he bucks, and it's all over. Emma goes flying, I let go of the pony and try to catch the flying 7 year old. The cement catches us both in a heap. Pony goes running down the street. Baby is back a few feet in the abandoned wagon, watching us. Nathan is flipping out, goes running after the pony.

Emma is okay, we stand up, she did so well, but she's operating on adrenoline. When I hug her she starts crying. She got a scrape on her hip, her helmet smacked the ground but her head is okay. It's terrible, this realization that I can't control everything, and that I put my baby in danger. Ponies are fun but only safe ponies. Mom Pony Lesson learned.

I stand there for awhile holding Emma until she calms down, and telling her how great a job she did holding on. I tell her she has to get back on, but not til we get home. Lilly is crying now because Emma is crying.

Emma gets in the wagon and we walk home. Emma says why are your pants wet - hmm, thanks 3 pregnancies, I guess I can't hold my bladder in rescue attempts anymore. I also look down and see my pants are ripped at the knee and I have a nice bloody sore. Rawhide.

ps. pony is gone back to pony lady. Emma did ride the pony again and was fine. We search now for very very safe pony.