Pony Time at Juniper Village

Strawberry, Palmer and Pampus

Juniper Village residents in Lamar had more to enjoy than warm sunshine this past Wednesday, October 9, as Pat Palmer and Shirley Pampus provided some live entertainment. 

Palmer, who over the years, has become interested in wagon lore of the old west and general reconditioning and construction of the vehicles, brought a miniature ‘fore cart’ and miniature horse to Juniper for the residents to view.  “Strawberry is a very laid-back miniature horse,” Palmer explained, adding, “we could probably put him in the back seat of a car and he’d just enjoy the trip.”   

Palmer added a little history on cart and horse to put the display in perspective.  “This breed of horse was around in the 1600s and used by coal miners in Wales.  They could usually pull three times their weight in coal from the mines.”  He added that the small cart is prevalent in Amish country, but on a much larger scale for farming operations. 

“This was the first time Shirley and I put on a display of this nature.”  Palmer said about two dozen Juniper Village residents enjoyed learning about the rig and some ventured to give Strawberry a stroke or a pat.  “We’re happy to do something like this on a local level,” Palmer explained, but said gas costs keep him close to home.

By Russ Baldwin