He was 49 Years Old! Preface

Mr Potter, a beloved pony, lived his retirement out in luxury at Tettenhall Horse Sanctuary from February 1980 until August 1989. With a lot of detective work, I had traced the History of this fantastic Pony aided by the fond memories of retired miners from the local coal pits. My own life has been enriched and made perfect by working with the joy of Helping Old Horses. Everything around me today, a wonderful family, an office full of devoted staff and friends, the growth into an internationally famous business (toughguy.co.uk), spreading the word of patience, friendship and help. Is all born from the great unspoken teaching of Horse patience.
It therefore gives me great pleasure to write the stories from my diaries into a series of Storybooks for everyone's enjoyment.

Billy Wilson.

These 3 old and ancient ponies wandered freely around the Sanctuary sharing their chewed tree bark with Mr Potter whilst chastising herd strays. They Became so alike to grumpy TV Characters Foggy, Compo and Clegg.

Mr Potter 49 Year Old Pony

This is the story of Mr Potter, a Bevan boy born in 1940 and as a young pony recruited to the pits hauling great wheeled trains of coal. Blindfolded most of the time and serving 7 years of breathing in pneumonicosis to his battered lungs. Occasionally given a respite of fresh air at the pit face.

No one in those days thought of animals as anything except for drudgery. Mr Potter served without servility; his grace laced with muscle and daily fitness to please and gather his reward of a bucket and a measure of love and compassion from Harold the foreman and Eric his pithead driver.

The war with Germany demanded devotion to produce the nation’s warmth and power for its munitions needs. Mr Potter was, like many others, just a small cog in the wheel of necessity. Those that went wholeheartedly to the dark coal dusty pits were known as Bevan Boys named after the great politician who spurred ‘his boys’ to greater efforts.

The miners were rewarded with pithead showers. The pit ponies had a stable full of coal dust.

Being born in a green field of peaceful daisies and clover are such wonderful memories as I pranced and bobbed through the summer with my two friends of similar age.

The shock of autumn and being wrenched from the green, never ever seeing my mother and friends again was a frightening fearful happening as we were herded up for the sale. It was then that I discovered a horse's ability to suffer in silence and obey a human master, my master was kind and gentle but I saw others who flinched as the whip caught the tender flanks and cruel iron to the mouth.

he blinkers were the most horrid experience as they cut out all that was precious in seeing the wonderful world and having to get used to the fears of the unknown behind

Next>>