Pony calling

Ningthem (O) Brinda Thounaojam *

Apart from its familiar physical appearance, I do not know much about pony or any other horse. I just happen to be an animal lover. For the last two three years we have been seeing an increased number of stray horses on the busy traffics of Imphal city.

On the other hand we feel it's natural to see cows on the road and comparatively they fare much better physically than the horses which mostly are maimed.

Most of these horses are injured, limp, hugely deformed, especially on their legs, mostly from accidents with vehicles and diseases. It is not uncommon to see dead horses on the road. Most of the commuters, passersby and onlookers must be feeling sorrow about them.

I, myself, also try to avoid seeing them but that avoidance or escape does not bring any relief to the aggravating pitiable state of the poor ponies. Few months back near the eastern D.M. College gate, I saw an emancipated horse standing near the median of the road with a mare.

The physical state of the horse was very sorry to look at, its bony rib cage was showing with a protruding large flesh weighing around seven kilos hanging from its neck with blood and pus dripping from it. It looked very frail and old.

The mare had a serious injury on its hind leg. Upon reaching home, I called upon Dr. Harnet, Veterinary Doctor and told him about the horse. Tamo told me he was going that way and assured me that he would look into the matter.

On 13th August 2007, Dr. Harnet, Dr. Sangeeta, my husband and me went to find the owner of the horse but to no avail. Dr. Sangeeta suggested to see her uncle, Salam Kumar, a long time horse lover from Lamphel.

We met him at RIMS where he was being treated for an illness. He encouraged me whole heartedly and promised he would help me in every possible way. He assured me that by the following day he would capture the horse and its sick mare and bring it to his place. I told uncle once that it's done, I would arrange for the doctor and would bear all the expenses.

The following day upon meeting him I was told the owner had been found. Promptly we went to Langjing, at the place of the owner. The owner, Keisham Open, cooperated fully. On 14th August 2007 both the horses were taken and brought to the owner's place.

The following day Dr. Upendra started treatment for both the horses. Even after such prolonged suffering, the horse didn't say anything when its owner placed the noose around its neck and faithfully followed its owner. Tears welled up in my eyes. Much as they cannot speak, most of us feel that they do not feel pain or hunger or that they are ever tired.

Manipur had its history all along with its pony. The divine horse 'Samadal Ayangba' is depicted in all the flags of free Manipur, in the form of winged horse. This clearly shows its importance in our history.

It's the ponies which were used by the Manipuri armies using the famous 'Arambais' in the wars we fought, in conquering neighboring kingdoms, fighting Burmese, conquering, defending and ousting the enemies. We are proud that Polo, 'Sagol Kangjei' originated from our land but today pony and most of its owners belong to the most neglected section.

Naturally they are happiest running on the open fields and space. So imaging how they must be feeling standing on the congested traffic where we humans cannot even walk properly. In a place where every inch of space is owned by somebody, if they happen to go to somebody's field, often they are stabbed with knife or pelted with stones or any other such things that can cause physical injury to the horse.

One remarkable character of pony is that while other breeds of horses exhaust its energy after playing seven to fifteen minutes, pony can play for two to three hours continuously and tirelessly. It increases its stamina as it gets more and more tired.

It is said the British used to say our pony has iron clad nails because unlike other horses, nail is not needed on its hoof. Its hoof never wears out upon running on hills and plains.

As long as its rider is on its back, it is not intimidated by guns and bombs, with its sharp eyes, alert ears, it is always confident. Next to dogs, horse is the most faithful animal to its owner. It's indeed a very sturdy breed of pedigree.

Polo is the state game but its most important player, pony is in grave danger if we do not take the necessary steps, we are in the brink of losing our precious heritage.

Ironically Pony cannot take part in National and International plays, be it Polo or any other play, as Pony does not reach min height of 15 hands as required. In this condition what needs to be done is either we amend the rule or we selectively cross the ponies to attain ponies with desired characteristics Or both.

Crossbreeding them with other breeds to attain the desired character may result in taller horses but the precious gene pool of pony will be diluted and will lead them to obscurity. Advancing pony will automatically result in developing polo but advancing polo will not necessarily bring up pony. We should know what it means to have a horse pedigree of our own.

We need to advance state polo, build race court, find ways to use pony, like tonga, a single pony can plough more efficiently than two oxes.

Most of the pony owners are poor, ponies are being used to carry liquors, even the gravely sick ones are not spared and not fed properly, leave alone treating them. A breed like pony with which we have invented polo does not deserve this imploring condition.

It's a shame on us and the so called self acclaimed state pony care takers. Lakhs of rupees are granted for pony and funnily not even a grazing ground for them anywhere!

The horses taking part in the present Equestrian Meet are very beautiful to look at and my heart feels the shame for those responsible for pushing the pony to beyond the boundary, into oblivion, into the uncared, unwanted group, belonging to none and responsible to no one and where a scandle just broke last year as to where had all the lakhs of rupees granted for pony gone. Pony itself is not poor, it is made poor by its self appointed guardian thieves.

Me and my friends and the all time vet for me Dr.S.Upendra are trying to help the sick horses at our level best. Pony owners and pony lovers, please help us to help the ponies in every possible way.

It is rightly said, we, humans, are the only species with the power to protect other species. We can speak, have intelligence and above all, the size of our heart is the only thing, limitless as it can be, to include everything.

Like Sangai, Pony is also our priceless national heritage. Let us all work together to help this unfortunate animal. It is my sincere request to fellow citizens to love this historic animal and do something, anything, for their welfare.

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* Ningthem (O) Brinda Thounaojam wrote this article for The Sangai Express . The author is a humanist, presently practicing law at the Guwahati High Court, Imphal This article was webcasted on July 11, 2008.

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