June 2022 Issue

Page 24 June 2022 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Harness/Tack/Leather Repair Animal Health Blanket Repair/Custom Tack Farrier Supply Boarding & Lessons Aged Equines Barn Construction Bedding The Directory Looking to Buy a Chincoteague Pony Foal? Here’s Some Advice much time you have to invest in the baby,” she said. Christine Goldbeck agreed. This York, PA resident bought her first Chincoteague Pony foal last year, and she plans to buy again this year. “I purchased foal #68 last year, a filly of Legacy and Splash,” Goldbeck said. “[My husband] Keith and I met her mama and daddy when we were hiking in northern herd territory last spring. Splash was still preg- nant with our [foal] Destiny. As soon as auction opened online, we started bidding and we got her.” Goldbeck sought guidance from Tipson Myers of Stoney Creek Chincoteagues in Hughes- ville, PA. “Tipson took [the foal] to her place for about a month for halter and beginning ground training,” Goldbeck said. “It was the best decision we made because I had zero foal experience at that point.” Myers is known in the pony community. “Once people purchase a foal from the auction, I offer hauling from Chincoteague to my farm in Pennsylvania,” she said. “Foals can then be boarded short or long term. I first work on transitioning them to top quality hay and grain. As they become more comfort- able, they will be halter broke and taught to lead.” According to Myers, some foals are quick to adapt to hu- mans while others take months. “What I’ve learned most from these ponies is lots of pa- tience. It's important to remember that each foal is an individual and they learn at different rates,” she said. “Some come around very easily. For others it takes months to get comfortable with people.” Twelve years ago, Myers purchased her first foal and was surprised at how long it took to build his trust. “Since I am a horse trainer, I could see how a non-horse trainer might struggle handling some of these foals,” she said. That’s why she started Stoney Creek Chin- coteagues. Equine veterinarian Alli- son Dotzel of Laurel Highland Veterinary Clinic in Williamsport, PA works with Myers and owns a Chincoteague Pony of her own. “I would recommend someone looking to purchase a pony have contact with their vet ahead of time so their vet can guide them on things like vaccinations and deworming,” Dotzel said. “They should also be prepared for what they will need to feed their new foal and have milk-based foal pellets or foal foundation on hand prior to picking up the foal.” Goldbeck has fallen in love with the breed, even though Des- tiny was “a bit of a challenge.” “She hated the halter and lead,” she said. “She would fol- low me like a puppy, then bolt as soon as I tried to get her on lead, but pony people are the best!” Goldbeck put a call out on Facebook for help and a friend shot a video on hacks for halter- ing a foal. Then, Chincoteague Pony owner, Christine Kline Gel- nett brought her 2021 Chincote- ague Pony foal, Rocky to help her gentle Destiny. “If you are on Facebook, follow groups like I Love Chin- coteague Ponies, 2022 Foals of the Wild Chincoteague Pony Herds and Chincoteague Pony Class of 2022 to learn as much as you can about the foals,” Darcy Cole suggested. “If you are not an experienced horse person, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. There are great experts who follow these pages and are willing to share their knowledge. Also, if you’ve never trained a foal before, consider transitioning your new foal from the wild to your home through trainers like Stoney Creek Chincoteagues who have transitioned hundreds of foals to their new homes.” Horse owner Amanda O’Bryan is coming to pony penning from Kentucky. Her husband surprised her with a trip to Chincoteague last July. She fell in love with the ponies and now plans to buy two in July. “My plan was to use the pony to create a literacy program and visit schools after I retire from teaching,” she said. “I can tie the ponies to many books and stories to encourage reading.” O’Bryan has been studying to learn more about the ponies. She now feels called to share them in more ways. “I feel they can help adults deal with issues and [offer] an outlet to get away and connect with an animal that will make them forget their problems for a while. They’ll be great for kids with disabilities to touch and feel and make movements to help their motions. With [their] small- er stature, they are perfect for this job and are less intimidating for children and adults.” Some look for conforma- tion, others for color, or athletic ability. O’Bryan wants a gentle (Continued from page 20) (Continued on page 26) Fencing