Tito the Frito Bandito
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It was a fall day when visitors came to the ranch; the rains had already started on the west side of the Cascades in this small Oregon town. My rider had outgrown me and was training on her new larger horse, leaving me with little to do. This always worries you not knowing what is going to happen with you. Mother always told me to be a good pony and good things would come to me. That is a tall order for ponies as many are left with children who do not know how to take care of them or handle them. They unknowingly hurt us trying to communicate what they want us to do. Having no instruction and often their parents are uneducated to the needs of a horse, or how to handle them. Many ponies are said to be mean, nasty little horses because they get tired of this kind of treatment and fight back with bites and throwing their riders. This gives all of us a bad name, but we can take only so much abuse before we must save ourselves. These visitors daughter was three; about the same age my present owner was when I was first trained for her. This girl also had special needs in a horse as she wore leg braces to correct their crooked way of going. Her horse would have to be very careful not to get tangled in the braces as she moved around him. I heard them say they had Arabian horses but they wanted a horse Dottie’s size for her to train with. One she could halter, brush, saddle and bridle all by herself. A size she could get on without a mounting block and ride when ever she liked, not having to depend on mom or dad to help her. . Dottie grew out of her condition in a couple of years so she could interact with her horse like everyone else.
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About the Book
Tito the Frito Bandito is book to show the gentle loving side of Shetland Ponies. A breed that has had a bad name due to the miss handling and care by uneducated children and uninformed families. A book for all ages, a fun story in the life and experiences of a young girl and a pony. Her growth through knowledge and love for animals and the fun opportunities they can afford one through life. Showing us lessons in how to handle and take care of a horse, while enjoying the companionship of an animal. Often times a child's best friend with the right training and mentoring of a knowledgeable adult.
About the Author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in the 40’s to a farm family of 5 children in Bonner’s Ferry Idaho who farmed with horses or mules, we had milk cows and I grow up with a love and respect for animals. Our parents expected that we would perform choirs for the extra things a child comes to expect and enjoy in life, learning that animals came first if you expected them to support you, either for food or performance. This taught us to rise early, feed before breakfast so the horses were ready to work when father had milked the cows and finished breakfast. My love for animals began at an early age and I seemed to have a way with them. I realized with patience and reward I could get them to do almost anything for me. My pets ranged from Horses to Parakeets, each with it’s own little trick. My grandmother referred to me as “Elly May” ( a TV Clampett character) who had her critters doing all sorts of things. It is true of all animals, be it a horse or what ever the species. Feeding and seeing to their needs teaches a child love and compassion for our companions and friends. It teaches disciplines to rise early and be where your supposed to be when your supposed to be there, as domestic animals depend on us to take care of them. These are the first lessons a child learns about responsibility to others (animal or human) follow through with what you agree to do. A commitment to an animal shows character that will follow them through life. It starts a discipline of being on time, doing what is expected, being committed, and finding joy in life. I write to entertain, teach and advise families with my stories of pleasure with animals and the joy they have afforded me through life’s experiences. May you and your family learn and find passion for animals in my writings. Thank you for reading; please pass it on to a friend.