July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

What will she bring home next ... ducks?

As I See It

By Diana Dolecki-

In her quest to rescue the world my daughter has now adopted three — count them — THREE miniature horses. All males. She is currently keeping them in her rural backyard.
My daughter, Beth, is a city kid. She was born in suburbia and has spent her life in myriad city environments. She has never lived on a farm for more than a couple of weeks at a time. She has visited many relatives’ farms over the years but I'm not sure that counts as experience.
In the past she has worked for at least two veterinarians, one of whom offered her free riding lessons as part of her pay. Therefore, she isn't entirely ignorant of what it takes to maintain these animals.  
She was in the process of helping to build a mini-barn for her new charges when she called to tell me the news. She had already been kicked in the knee by one of the tiny stallions.  
I'm expecting a call next week telling me that grandson Jacob was found curled up asleep with the gelding or that granddaughter Emma has decorated the pinto with necklaces and earrings.
I have no doubt that the little horses will have a long and happy life with her. I also have no doubt that these are far from the last of her acquisitions.
I firmly believe that her goal in life is to take care of the entire planet. She takes in strays with little thought as to how she can provide for them. Somehow providence always steps in and she manages quite well.
One of these days I will get a call saying that she has established a preserve for all the misfits she can find. Her preserve will be well-populated with animals, fish and humans of every shape and size.
The miniature horses did not need to be rescued nor are they misfits. She had been talking about getting a pony for the children and the opportunity to acquire three animals for a pittance of what it would cost for a pony was too good for her to pass up.

I tried to tell her that ponies were cranky. I told her about the pony that my uncle boarded at our farm when I was little. I was to ride it every day. It waited until we got next to the sidewalk before it shook me off of its back. Neither I nor the pony appreciated it when my mother made me get back into the saddle.  
Beth's miniature horses are too young to be ridden by even the lightest child. They are also too young to be trained to pull a cart.  
Did you know that miniature horses can be used as guide animals? Apparently there is a demand for guide horses from those who are allergic to dogs or those who want a guide animal with a longer life span than the average canine.
The guide horse program started in 1999. I don't know how successful it has been as I have yet to see a miniature guide horse in person.
The guide horse program information was a bit of trivia that I found while looking up information about miniature horses.
A part of me is insanely jealous that Beth has the beginnings of a farm; even if the farm consists of three little horses in the backyard. Another part of me is grateful that I don't have to provide food, water and veterinary care for anything other than Gracie, the cranky calico cat.
I am happy that she is taking chances. I am glad that she shows her children how to care for other living things. Providing for an animal teaches compassion. We have domesticated and bred them to our preferences and therefore are responsible for their welfare.
I wonder what the next phone call will bring. Will it be news that she has acquired goats and ducks to go along with the horses? Will it be a command to check out the latest picture of a grandchild? One never can tell what the future will hold.  
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