Well – this is a hard one to write but there’s no sense in sugar coating the news. The ponies and the wagon and everything that goes with them are offically for sale. This hasn’t been an easy decision, I’ve been wrestling with it since my last blog post, but my health took a huge hit with the crop dusting and I’m not bouncing back in the way that I’d hoped. I went up to Wisconsin and spent some time in the woods, trying to figure my way out of this, thinking that a “pristine environment” might put me right, but I’m honestly not in any state to continue. I’m sorry. I’m not sure who I’m even apologizing to – maybe my 6 year old self. I’m not even sure what there is to say at this point. I’m not sorry I gave it a go. I’m proud of myself for pulling all this together and making it 250 miles down the road. I’m grateful for the experience, for the people I met along the way, for Mel at Pequea Carriage for crafting a beautiful and practical little covered wagon to make my dreams come true – and most of all for Franklin and Theodore, who are a truly bomber little team of ponies, with heart and try and personality to spare.

I’m posting the full ad below. It’s also up on Facebook in various places. I’d greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word and helping me find a really good situation for the ponies (and somebody who will actually use the wagon!) I’m heading back to Cindy and Ken’s cabin in Desoto, Indiana on Saturday to reunite with Franklin and Theodore. I’m scared, because various chemicals are being applied to the fields on a fairly regular basis – it’s not really a healthy place for me to be this time of year. I’ve gotten an air purifier for the cabin, but the truth is I’ll need to be outside to work with the ponies at least a few hours a day, getting them back in shape after 6 weeks off. I’ve gotten a serious gas mask. My kidneys are still very tender and sore, the taste in my mouth comes and goes. I’m really hoping that the ponies sell soon. For so many reasons.

FRANKLIN AND THEODORE — Superstar Ponies, and the Covered Wagon Built for Their Adventures — $15,000

At six years old, reading the Little House books, I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder. At sixty, I finally lived it. Franklin and Theodore aren’t just for sale – they’re looking for their next adventure, and so is the little covered wagon built specifically for them. They’re a solid little driving team who’ve logged over 250 miles together across Ohio and Indiana, and they’re ready for a thousand more. The wagon they pull was custom-built for them from scratch – engineered to stay light enough for these two ponies to pull, with me, my dog, and all my gear along for the ride. (This rig’s more Laura than “Manly” – petite, and it gets the job done.)

MEET THE PONIES: Franklin and Theodore are both well trained to ride and drive. Both started with the Amish, then professional training and desensitizing with Kristin Mulhall of Twilight Farms in Fresno, OH (google her!). Both ponies are easy and friendly on the ground – happy to be led, groomed, and handled by kids of any age, easy to catch and have been out in a mixed herd with no issues. Both are sound and healthy, zero maintenance, current on Coggins, vaccines, teeth and wormer, and both are microchipped for peace of mind.

Franklin: (formerly “Twix”) 10-year-old buckskin miniature horse, 38″. Franklin was an Amish school pony in New York, pulling kids to school and home again every day – semis roaring by don’t bother him at all. He’s sensitive, brave, and has an incredible work ethic; he genuinely loves to pull a cart, and his trot is flashy and fun to watch. On the ground he’s a little shy at first and appreciates a gentle handler, but he’s willing, quiet, and kind once he warms up – lovely to be around. Under saddle he’s safe and willing and ready to go, a good match for a confident rider – but if they put their heels to him, they’d better mean it, because he’ll move out. He’s happy giving lead-line rides to little kids, heading out on the trail, or to a play day with a more advanced rider – and he can absolutely keep up. This pony has heart, try, and a lot to give the right person or family.

Theodore: (aka “Buddy”) 9-year-old silver dapple Shetland pony, 40″. Theodore’s an old-school Shetland through and through – an easy keeper with a real sense of humor. He was raised and trained by a young Amish girl who rode him everywhere for years: over logs, through water crossings, out solo and keeping up with the big horses on family trail rides, he’s solid on and off road. They were best friends – he used to stand up on his stall door watching for her to get home from school. Her older brother taught him to pull a cart, and he took to it – a great little solo driving pony, happy to jog along but he will step out when asked. He has a big blond mane and tail, easy to catch, easy to be around, good in pasture or stall. He’s curious enough to be right in your pocket. He genuinely loves kids – he just takes a little longer to warm up to grown men (treats help). He’s gentle enough for a kid to learn on, from lead-line up, with adult supervision. He’d love to find another kid who wants to be his best friend and adventure buddy.

AS A TEAM Franklin and Theodore complement each other rather than match – Theodore’s the taller, heavier one with a blond mane; Franklin’s smaller, dark-maned, and does about 75% of the pulling work if you don’t keep an eye on the balance. Franklin’s a mini horse with real drive – he loves the job and moves out eagerly. Theodore’s a Shetland pony, he’s in no hurry, conserves his energy, and needs a little encouragement to pull his share. But put him on a hill, up or down, and he knows exactly how to use his weight – steady, unbothered, gets the job done. I call them my Dragon and my Rock.

Together, they can cover 15 miles in about 3 hours pulling the covered wagon day after day – our longest day was 20 miles. Both ponies are trained to drive individually as well as a team. Individually, each pony could be handled by an experienced 8-10 year old. As a team, though, pulling the covered wagon together, they’re a different animal – spicy, strong, and forward. The pair of them call for a confident driver, whether that’s an adult or an experienced teen.

THE COVERED WAGON: The Mustard Seed was Amish built by Melvin Beiler of Pequea Carriage Shop in Narvon, PA, with the storage and versatility I needed for full-time travel built right in.

The bright yellow canvas cover (chosen for visibility) stretches over 7 wooden hoops and does three jobs. By day, it configures to cover the body of the wagon, leaving the driver’s seat shaded and the view open, with side mirrors for visibility on the road. At night, the front and back hoops – paired for this purpose – let the cover accordion out to fully enclose the wagon: the front panel extends forward to bring the driver’s seat and the solar fridge (on its own reinforced shelf ahead of the dashboard) inside, while the back extends into a small alcove for the privy bucket, a rainy-day cooking spot, or a place to change clothes and stash muddy boots. In front, it laces shut and ties off to the center team pole, with tent stakes on hand to secure the back for windy nights. Front and back panels both remove via zippers when you want visibility or airflow and attach for full nighttime privacy. On hot days in camp, the side panels unzip into awnings, held up by the same extendable poles that carry the corner safety flags – a mosquito net rigs up underneath if needed. The canvas is fully waterproof – its first real test was a stormy, windy night in Killbuck, Ohio, back before I had tent pegs and improvised with a couple of bags of mulch to hold the back alcove down. Stayed dry the whole night.

WAGON SPECS & DETAILS

· Sleeping area (behind the driver’s seat): 6’6″ long, 3′ wide, over 4′ high – plenty of room for an adult to sleep comfortably

· Under-seat storage (seat flips forward): 3′ x 18″ x 18″ – batteries, clothes, electronics, anything that needs to stay clean and dry

· Exterior “hip pocket” boxes, both sides: 6″ x 8″ x ~4′ long, fit waterproof storage bins – camp stove, tool kit, brushes, and more tuck in here

· Small shelves behind the back wheels, each with a bucket tied on: one privy bucket with a toilet-seat lid, one food-grade bucket with a screw-on lid

· Dashboard: cup holder, phone mount clamp, buggy whip

· Block brakes with a lockable lever

· Tailgate with two barrel latches

· Bench seat has spring suspension underneath, padded cushion and backrest – backrest removes easily (two wingnuts) for more versatility in camp

· “The Mustard Seed” painted in yellow letters on the back

· Recently renovated: new seat springs, lighter team pole.

WHAT’S INCLUDED: Everything you need to hitch up and go!

Harness & tack: Full harnesses for both ponies, set up for single or team

full set of Cavallo CLB hoof boots for each pony

halters and lead ropes, brushes and hoof picks, equine first aid kit (wound care and emergency basics)

Power & camp: Euhomy solar refrigerator – Two 100W solar panels, roof-mounted – Two Jackery 300W batteries

Water and privy buckets – 5 gallon buckets with appropriate lids

Two canvas buckets for water or gear (old-school cool)

Camp kitchen: 2 nesting camp stoves, one burns twigs, the other burns denatured alcohol, 2 full fuel cannisters, water filter, skillet and pots, silverware and utensils, dish towels, lighter, kitchen sink

Pony containment: Portable electric fence with battery-powered charger

Tether hobbles, ropes, and stakes

Wagon spares & safety: Manure fork

Spare bent-wood hoop for the wagon

Spare tire + two extra inner tubes

Small tool kit

Extra lights: (headlights and magnet-mounted strobe lights)

4 reflective safety flags on extendable poles (poles double as awning supports for shade and breeze in camp)

Buggy whip

Small lightweight metal camp table

Floor mat that rolls up and tucks in the back

I’ll even throw in my feather bed and feather quilt with gingham linen sheets and a good wool blanket!

GREAT FOR: Wagon trains – parades – living out the Little House dream – homestead/hobby farm addition – long distance travel (don’t have to pay for gas and the ponies can fuel themselves with grazing!)

FITS IN YOUR TRAILER: The whole rig – wagon and both ponies – fits inside a 16′ stock/horse trailer, as long as it’s 6’6″ tall with no fixed center divider.

PRICE:

· Whole package (wagon + both ponies + all gear): $15,000

· Individually: ponies:$6,500 each – wagon: $8,000

· (Package price reflects a discount for taking the whole outfit at once)

WHY SELLING This has been a glorious adventure – the ponies are wonderful, the wagon is solid, and I’m not as young as I thought I was. I’m ready for my next chapter. Looking for an adventurer, a family (or grandparents who drive and want to teach kids) who’ll give this rig the life it deserves and take excellent care of the ponies. (don’t let them get fat!)

CONTACT / LOGISTICS

· Location: DeSoto, Indiana – wagon and ponies can be seen there

· Best contact: email sea@freerangerodeo.com

or text 518-336-5596 for serious inquiries.