Bonsai Broncos

Everybody has a dog, or a cat or a guinea pig, or at least a goldfish. But you are different, aren’t you? So what should you get that is you, that is special, that is unique? Well, you could get a cuter cat than your neighbour’s or a bigger dog, but it would still be a dog or a cat.

How about a horse, I say? No....? You don’t think I could be serious? Yes you have the money to afford a horse but you stay in Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore and who is going to pay for the groom, the stables, all that hay and so on and so forth you wonder? Well, you needn’t wonder because I’m going to let you in on a secret... a secret called Falabella.

Here’s the story. Once upon a time as the fable goes it was said that the original Argentine little horse was once a full sized steed brought by the Spaniards in the 15th century to conquer Argentina, and after they were done fighting the animal roamed free and several centuries after due to the “harsh environment and inbreeding” naturally small horses were produced. Well the more credible version of course is that the Falabella was developed by the family of the same name and they bred the smallest Shetland ponies with a very small thoroughbred that the family owned.

So what are they like, and what does one do to have them?  A lady called Susan Eckholdt will tell us that. She has been breeding these very horses for over 25 years after purchasing eight original Argentine imports. She has visited Argentina and selected stock from the Falabella ranch and became the UK representative of Maria Luisa de Falabella until Maria’s death in 2007. “Some animal lovers have a special fascination for horses. The horse is magnificent, and it stirs an emotional response in people who admire them. When people can see the same attributes (beauty,elegance,speed,etc) in a very small horse they find it amazing.” 

Young children can even ride the larger ones but never off the lead rein and they can pull little carts too”. These little things are sure a luxury and “the cost of getting two Falabella horses to India is quite high”. “Last month the cost associated with the transport was 9,000 pounds for two horses to Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore; these are the three quarantine stations.”

The Falabella has a thick coat specially the mane, tail and around the fetlocks and can adapt to most environments but “in very hot climates it may be necessary to clip them to remove excess coat”, informs Susan. These graceful ‘Merrylegs’ have a life span of 35-40 years, and they also can’t be kept alone, she says. Breeding them is also not a problem. It’s as simple as “boy horse meets girl horse etc”, as Mrs Eckholdt puts it. “It’s the foaling that can get a little difficult and complicated.”

So now you have it. It’s not a dog it’s not a cat, it’s a horse that you can fit into your closet. So go ahead, let your neighbours wish and wonder while you preen and ride out your fantasies.