Runaway pony’s ‘arrest’ went viral. Now he has a new purpose as a therapy horse
.jpeg "Knight, who went viral on social media after officers spent nearly two hours trying to capture him, has found a new home at an equine therapy center in Alabama.")
A runaway pony has started a new life at a therapeutic riding center in Alabama after his “arrest” went viral on social media, according to the center’s volunteer coordinator.
After body camera footage of Tuscaloosa police officers wrangling the pony on March 20 was posted on Facebook, the animal was re-homed to Therapeutic Riding of Tuscaloosa.
During the officers’ nearly two-hour attempt to capture the pony, they tried to coax him with pizza crusts and peppermints, McClatchy News previously reported. He eventually “allowed himself” to be caught and posed for selfies.
When the pony, who police at first nicknamed “Ginuwine,” arrived at the riding center, he was “kinda feisty and rude,” Lorianne Neal-Epperson, volunteer coordinator for the riding center, told McClatchy News.
Because people aren’t allowed to keep horses in their backyards, the pony, whose real name is “Knight,” stayed to live at the center rather than being returned to his owner, she said.
He later underwent surgery to be neutered, and his demeanor became much calmer, she said.
“Since then, he’s become a joy,” she said.
People at the center have loved interacting with him, and he even got to have a slushie at the organization’s “Easter extravaganza,” she said.
Neal-Epperson said Knight is too small to be ridden, but he’ll help newcomers to the center, especially children, familiarize themselves with horses and start to feel comfortable around the animals, she said. He’ll also go on trips to schools and senior centers to provide therapy.
“When he’s not working, he’ll be able to frolic in the pasture and lay in the sun,” she said.
Therapeutic Riding of Tuscaloosa serves riders of all levels, many of whom have cognitive or physical disabilities, Neal-Epperson said. Equine therapy can help riders gain confidence and assist with body stability, cognitive learning and self image, she said.
And Knight will soon have his own role to play.
“I see him offering confidence to our younger riders, particularly, and I see him offering solace to our older and geriatric population,” she said.
This story was originally published April 7, 2023 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Runaway pony’s ‘arrest’ went viral. Now he has a new purpose as a therapy horse."