Who can resist this face, which says, "Pat me! Pat me!" Yes, It's hard to keep hands off of such a cute pony. But if you could read the sign, which you probably can't since I can't either, it said something along the lines of "Do NOT touch this horse. Poison Ivy!"
I thought maybe that was the pony's name. There's probably a pony somewhere appropriately named "Poison Ivy." Maybe the pony bites. Lures you in with a cute face, then CHOMP.
Or maybe the pony had rolled in poison ivy and you'd catch it if you rubbed him. My cousin caught poison ivy from his dog who spent the day romping in poison ivy and the night in my cousin's bed.
But no. I learned something new at Pony Club camp, where this photo was taken. This pony was out grazing and came upon some very yummy poison ivy, so he ate it. Apparently poison ivy doesn't bother horses, but it comes out through the horse's skin and secretions -- and if you touch the horse for the next 48 hours or so, you may as well go roll in the poison ivy yourself.
ooouwee...poor petless pony! I wonder how long it takes to come out of the system..and get the stuff outa the fields man!
Posted by: KacyK | June 23, 2009 at 11:15 PM
I got the worst case of Poison Oak in my life after riding my horse bare back. She was free on our 40 mountain acres. I guess it came out in her sweat. Yep, it was between my legs and down to my knees, and I was so swollen and miserable I couldn't walk for a few days. I think I went to a Doctor and got a shot.
The good thing that came out of that experience was that thereafter I was kind of immune to the weed.
Posted by: Molly | June 24, 2009 at 08:54 AM
Oh Miss South Carolina, how much we love you. Being a Californian puts me always on guard for complaints about those Latte Drinking Liberals.
Occasionally you guys come through with something kind of embarrassing and take us off the front page. So, Thank You.
Your heavens volleyed back beautifully with not one but two famous deaths in LA to send all the paparazzi back where they belong.
Good job.
Posted by: Molly | June 26, 2009 at 10:25 AM
That is interesting. Didn't know that about horses/Poison Ivy. Glad to know it, now!
Having had Poison Oak very badly, myself, I'd somehow resist hugging that sweet horse.
Posted by: Strawberry Lane | June 30, 2009 at 05:05 PM
I had no idea this could happen....wonder if it explains some of my more mysterious cases of poison ivy?!
Posted by: michelle | July 15, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Im so glad theres no poison ivy around where I live! I've never had a poison ivy rash before... must be really itchy!
Posted by: Jumper | July 22, 2009 at 03:08 AM
Wow! I had no idea. And since poison ivy is so prevalant around here, what a good thing to learn! I didn't even think about them eating it.
Posted by: Stephanie Webb | July 24, 2009 at 01:00 PM
I grew up my whold life as a kid on a 300 hundred acre farm with over 30 horses and never had a problem with this. I now as an adult have 2 horses on 5 acres and just yest. I was loving on my horses by hugging them and of course putting my face on them. I noticed they have been rolling around in the pasture and low and behold I have got poison oak all around my eyes and spreading. It is soooo painful. Thanks for the post so I could tell my Dr. it is true to catch it from our loved ones. :)
Posted by: Theresa Lewark | May 17, 2011 at 02:49 PM
This Is a nice thing to know before I go to horse camp because my little brother has loosen ivy and I don't want other people to get it.
Posted by: Madeleine | July 17, 2011 at 08:21 AM