He arrived at the farm about mid-afternoon, a very tired and frightened pony. Beth’s brother had not had a pleasant ride home, as Peter shied and struggled against him all the way. Every bridge was a battle, and every one of those many corners a nightmare of terror for Peter. The journey ended with both rider and pony disliking each other intensely, a situation which remained for the rest of their days. Because of the unkind treatment he had received from men, Peter never got over his dislike of them.

Beth rushed out and claimed her pony, and amidst many instructions to be careful, and don’t try to ride him yet, and keep away from his hind legs, they disappeared down the paddock. Beth wasn’t silly and had no intention of trying to ride Peter yet. They had to become friends first, and he had to stop trembling. She had carefully supplied herself with some bread, an apple and a carrot and with these goodies the afternoon would be a session of “getting to know you”.

There were many such sessions, during which time they built up a mutual trust that endured for many years.

Peter would follow Beth like a dog, and to her great secret delight, she was the only one who could catch him. Generally he would come to her call, but on some occasions he was very naughty and led her a dance, always making up for it afterwards by being very affectionate and nuzzling her gently as if to say, “I do like to have a bit of a joke sometimes.”

Beth set to work with her curry comb and brush to clean up Peter’s dirty, shaggy coat. As the dirt was removed and his health improved, his coat became a beautiful gleaming reddy-brown and his long black mane and tail shone.

Beth’s Dad and Mother had given her a new bridle and a sheepskin for her birthday and it fitted Peter beautifully. Beth soon found that his training had consisted of being bashed around until he was worn out, and a bridle could be used, and he was subdued enough to be led around. His mouth was completely ruined and was as hard as iron.

For a long while he had only one speed: gallop. If Beth didn’t manage to get up to speed and jump on at the first try, she just didn’t get a second chance. For a ten-year-old it was a rather daunting challenge, but he was “her” pony and she was determined she would succeed.

Beth’s Mother was one of the heroes of the story, for never once did she try to stop the child from riding, or trying to ride, the pony. They would go away, at times, for the whole day and must have caused Mother much worry, but except for saying, “Please be careful, Beth,” nothing was said.

Beth’s Dad helped with instruction in handling Peter and gradually he became more manageable. There were still many spills and Beth learnt very early that she must hang onto the reins or else walk home. Except for the skinned parts and the bruises no great harm was done by the spills, and as both child and pony learnt their lessons, they became fewer. Riding was mostly done in the paddocks for several reasons. It was softer to fall on; Peter couldn’t run too far away, and there weren’t so many things to frighten him as on the road. Cars and such like still terrified him.

For months Peter had to be tied up with a heavy rope for his bridle just couldn’t stand up to his frightened pulling away. Time passed, and Beth’s patience and loving efforts were slowly rewarded. Peter never at any time deliberately did anything to hurt Beth, and she was quite sure that most of the time he enjoyed learning how to do things properly.

One of Peter’s biggest ordeals, and one he never ceased to fear, was being shod. Beth had to ride him about 5 miles to the blacksmith and she never knew who hated the whole business the most, the blacksmith or Peter. Beth loved the smell of the smithy and she and Mr. Edwards had always been firm friends when he was shoeing her old pony, but she knew that when she arrived with Peter, she wasn’t really as welcome as in the past. It took over an hour of determined struggle before a sweating Mr. Edwards waved goodbye to a relieved little girl and a trembling pony. The return ride home was always done in record time, as Peter put as much distance as possible between himself and the hated Mr. Edwards.