Texas Equine Photographer | Apple the Pony of the Americas

Apple is a Pony of the Americas gelding. Not much is known about Apple’s bloodlines, his papers were lost in the chaos of his early life.  The POA, Pony of the Americas, association recently began DNA testing so Apple’s owner, Bailey, plans on having him tested this year to see if she can learn more about his bloodlines. He lives in Boerne, Texas.

If anyone has any information or leads on potential breeders or previous owners, please let us know. Bailey knows his owners from 3yo-6yo but nothing before and would love to find them and thank them for breeding the perfect pony. It would be amazing to be able to find this horse’s breeder or first owner and help figure out the missing pieces of his story. 

This liver chestnut Leopard Appaloosa sure is a one of a kind guy. He has a tick blaze, a front sock, back stocking, and even striped hooves. Although Bailey doesn’t know what his bloodlines are like, she believes that he has to come from some great hunter lines. Everything about him from his hunter movement to his scope while jumping, points to him being bred with the purpose of being a hunter.

Apple’s past sure is interesting, “Apple is unique in the fact that in 1997 as a 3 year old, he was caught in a barn flood that killed all but two of the horses. Originally bought as a fancy hunter prospect, he and one other pony were small enough to swim through their stall windows and were found on a near by hill when the flood waters receded. Despite his fear of water that as a child, I never understood, he braved swimming in rivers and lakes, occasionally rolling and blowing bubbles! He was certainly unique in his youth as a serious bucking bronc prospect and became well known for dumping anyone and everyone whenever HE wanted. Cleared by vets, chiropractors, saddle fitters, etc., I just conceded it was part of his personality!
His personality is one that could never be duplicated. He is kind beyond compare, tolerant, understanding, and so brave. When we were young together, he mirrored my social anxiety as a bit of an anxious introvert, but helped me come outside of my shell and we both grew into ourselves and our place in the world. He was born with a servant’s heart, exceptionally intuitive to the needs of those around him, and has proven it by teaching confidence to countless children in the early stages of being horse crazy. His gentleness led to a two year stint as a therapeutic riding horse, helping those with physical and mental handicaps feel the freedom and trust that is riding. While all goodness and light 95% of the time, his sass knows no bounds the other 5%! He’s smart as a whip and knows how to un-clip himself in cross ties, untie himself, slip out of halters, turn off electric fences, open doors, gates and containers. One time I found him in the barn (his pasture was 2 acres away!) and he had opened a box of rainbow nerds and was flinging it around in his teeth to shake them out, covering me in rainbow foam in the process! My favorite unique traits is his licking. Originally an anxiety tick, he would lick anyone close to him for comfort. This has stayed a habit as he aged and now he will lick someone for hours, falling asleep in the process. Whenever I’m upset and need a little time alone, I’ll sit with him and he’ll lick from my fingers to my head to try and comfort me. Little kids love it because they think he’s a big puppy.”

Apple just recently retired from riding. Back in his day he did some lower level dressage, and he hated it. He seemed to think that the white railing around the dressage arena, was just in his way of jumping. ” I cannot count the amount of times we were eliminated from schooling shows because he would take control and jump out, back in, then back out, all for fun. Dressage was a struggle for his mind and anxiety, but that didn’t keep him from competing in the Pony Championships, where he helped our pony team place bronze! After that we quickly moved to show jumping. His talent for jumping was unlimited, finding the Pony Jumper courses a breeze! We used to have to enter a throw away cross rail/18″ class every show due to the aforementioned penchant for bucking. No matter what, I would always find myself with a mouthful of sand that first class, accept our elimination, then go on to place well (but usually win!) in our next classes. He was notoriously dishonest when schooling cross country, always a little questionable about why the jumps didn’t fall down if he hit them, so we stuck to show jumping. Once he became a lesson pony, he returned to the dressage ring with minimal jumping, and helped a couple young girls learn the ins and outs of intro/training level. Due to some stifle issues, we began doing lots of work in hand and managed to strengthen him enough for adorable (and correct!) pony piaffe/passage! He was pretty fun to ride with no tack at all, and gave me a true understanding of an independent seat.”

“My favorite thing about riding him was his ability to understand riders strengths and weaknesses and test them. Even as a fairly competent adult dressage rider, he continued to teach me lessons in softness, sensitivity, and how every stride mattered in training. He knew if I was feeling a little too confident and would always give me a good taste of humility! Especially when it came to kids and his therapy riders, he always seemed to understand just how far he could push their strength without scaring them, was always the first to reward something done correctly, and slam on his brakes if he felt them losing their balance. He never wanted to hurt anyone.”

Bailey actually ended up with Apple as an accident, “My childhood trainer bought him as a green broke 6yo for her lesson program. At that age with all his sass, he certainly wasn’t suited for it! The first time we met was only a couple days after him settling in to his new surroundings. I was only 6 as well and was immediately smitten by his spots, having just been learning about the Nez Perce tribes and their appaloosas. He softly whickered at me, which quickly became my favorite sound and still is to this day. I was amazed that I, of all people, got to ride him for my lesson! He was a bit wide eyed and unpredictable, meaning the first time I tried to canter, I ended up bucked off, sprawled in the sand, UNDERNEATH this pony’s belly. What struck me was how Apple looked between his legs at my crumpled little body, and tip-toed as not to step on me. He nudged me as if to say he was sorry and I laughed. Our friendship of 16 years started there. He began as a lease pony that eventually, for Christmas, he showed up in my front yard. Best Christmas present ever, from the best parents ever! From their perspective, it must’ve been hard, watching their child hit the dirt so many times and fight frustrated tears at shows after not placing, but I can’t help but love them more for understanding I didn’t want the easy way out. His challenges shaped me into the rider I am. 16 years later, he’s earned his retirement, and I’m hoping to make this next chapter of his life as lush and enjoyable as he so readily deserves.”

This altruistic pony will eat just about anything, but he really likes candy, frozen popsicles, and even soda which he can drink from the bottle.

“While there’s no fancy ribbons or trophies with his name on it, Apple is the beginning for innumerable people’s love affair with horses and their riding foundations, especially mine.”

“I’ve been riding since I was 3 (a solid 20 years now!) and originally got into them from the breed book my grandma got me as a toddler. My third birthday present was my first riding lesson! Apple was my first horse, but he was quickly followed a lovely Trakehner mare of similar sensitivity and uniqueness that I’ve had the pleasure of owning since her birth. In the 20 years of riding, I’ve done a little bit of everything, but I consider starting and working with young horses my true passion, especially in Dressage. My favorite thing about owning horses is how you’re suddenly a part of something so much bigger than yourself and how rewarding it is, even on the most frustrating days. They’re always your best friends, no matter what. I’m never happier or more at peace than when I’m spending time with horses, even just watching them graze. They keep me grounded.”

I absolutely love what Bailey shares about her biggest pieces of advice about horses, “Stay humble and always end each session, no matter how frustrating it might be, with something good. Never underestimate how much you can learn about your horse from simply observing their behavior on the ground!”

This is one of my favorite tips I have heard so far, “As for white/grey horses (spots in my case), don’t forget the sunscreen on pink skin! Apple’s blaze is super sensitive to sun and I’ve found baby sunscreen is the best way to keep the burns away!”

“There are so many favorite memories, 16 years together builds up a repertoire of incredible memories! My favorite memory of him sums him up perfectly. Shortly after becoming best friends with my then 7 month old Trakehner filly after her weaning, I went to feed them breakfast one morning. Apple was in an unusual spot for him, in the back corner with his head down, with a small pile of hay he had dragged with him. Concerned, I went to investigate. He peered at me, head hung low, as I approached and he gave me a soft whicker. As I got closer, I realized his eyes were fixed on a tiny, 4 week old kitten playing in his hay. The furball, the size of my hand, was malnourished and skinny, but having a ball playing in his hay and with his whiskers. He softly breathed on her, licking her, trying to nudge her my way as if he knew she needed help. She was obviously a feral kitten and wasn’t interested in people, but I grabbed some cat food and left it near his breakfast bucket that I took to him. Over the next few weeks, the kitten became more friendly but still exceptionally attached to Apple. She would rub between his legs, play with his tail, and eat right next to him. They were inseparable. He never, EVER put a foot wrong, too concerned he would hurt her, and would walk as slowly as possible, her walking with him under his belly. When he moved to a new pasture closer to the stables, the kitten affectionately named AJ or Applejacks, followed. One chilly morning, I came out to Apple napping in the warm winter sun, AJ curled between his two front legs, purring up a storm. I couldn’t bring myself to get too close, as the moment was the most precious thing I’d ever seen. The image is still warmly burned into my memory and never fails to make me smile.”

Karinda K Equine Photography is a Texas equine photographer located in Montgomery, TX. Karinda creates timeless portraits of you with your beloved horses, and other farm animals. Serving locally Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, Texas communities. KEP also serves Wellington and Ocala, Florida, Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, Aiken, South Carolina, Tryon, North Carolina, and Norco and Woodside, California and their surrounding communities.