Home » Music » Elvis Presley » The Missing Pony

The Missing Pony

© June Moore

Six years after having our second child, my husband and I decided to pack up our belongings and move to the country. We wanted a place where our kids could enjoy the good things in life like fresh air, space, pets and tree houses.

After months of looking, we finally found the ideal place. Listed in the paper as a mini-farm, it was perfect with an old two story house and small barn sitting quietly on 2 1/2 acres. The schools and shopping were near by and neighbors close at hand, but not too close.

We couldn't wait to start our new way of life, so started our search for a pony the minute we were settled.

It didn't take long to discover however, that finding just the right pony wasn't as easy as we thought. Our first clue was at the very first place we looked. The owner brought out a beautiful pony and placed both our children on her bare back for a ride. Our kids, not being use to riding, slipped, and both fell to the ground the minute he started walking, as we watched in shock. Talk about City kids! Rodeo riders they'd never be.

After several weeks of looking, we finally decided on the perfect pony for beginner riders. She was a 25-year-old (or so they thought) Shetland Pony who had previously been used for pony rides. We knew we'd never be able to find a more gentle pony than Rocksy so rented a trailer and began our trip home.

In the beginning, Rocksy took well to her new surroundings and seemed happy with her new life. She only had one problem. She definitely didn't like being ridden, and didn't care who knew it. She wasn't mean, she just didn't particularly want anyone on her back. Every time Mike or Shelly would try and ride her, she'd head straight for the fence line or low trees. They would end up laying on her back instead of sitting on it. Not a very comfortable position.

We spent the next few weeks clearing out the fence row and low tree branches in the pasture and thought we had everything under control when Rocksy starting acting ill. She had started spending most of her time lying on the ground instead of standing. A trip to the local veterinarian told us she was more than likely suffering from colic and would have to be penned up most of the day.

The copyright of the article The Missing Pony in Elvis Presley is owned by . Permission to republish The Missing Pony in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.