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For many children who start riding, their greatest wish is to have their own horse. A horse where they can decide the color of the saddle pad, and a friend they can tell all their secrets to. Their best friend with four legs.
The hunt for the new four-legged best friend began for Signe Reüter and her 11-year-old daughter Lyra at the start of 2023.
"We looked at one pony after another, but each time, Lyra said she couldn't feel them in her gut," explains Signe.
Even though Signe is – and has almost always been – a devoted horse person, the search for Lyra's first pony was not easy.
Signe has been riding virtually all her life, working with Shetland ponies as well as large horses. She tried early on to introduce Lyra to horses, but Lyra's interest was not there.
"At that time, we had some Shetlands, but they did not captivate Lyra. Even though she sat on a horse for the first time when she was three months old and was with me in the stable in a stroller. She had her own Shetland pony at that time, but she just wasn't interested."
The Shetlands were sold when Lyra was five years old, and the horses were put aside for a while. Lyra tried other sports, and Signe focused on the family. When Lyra was seven years old, she began to be drawn to the scent of horses again. Lyra started at a riding school. Three years later, Signe bought the Fell pony Nate, who was only a foal at that time.
"The idea was that he would be a mother/daughter horse, but the pony thought otherwise. He turned out to be a real one-person horse, and it was actually difficult for Lyra to handle him. Nate became more and more my horse, but that was not what I had promised Lyra."
Therefore, the decision was quickly made. Lyra had to have her own pony. But as known, it was not an easy task to find the perfect pony.
"Lyra is an extremely sensitive and empathetic girl. She is very good at feeling. That's why she also dismissed many ponies even before we had gone out to see them. She said she couldn't feel them in her gut."
The search continued with one fine pony after another, but the gut feeling was not there from Lyra's side.
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"Quite by chance, we came across Sarafine. Even though she had a defect on her neck, and I thought it was something entirely different Lyra should have, we went out to look at her."
It turned out to be the right decision. The little brown Welsh pony with a cosmetic neck flaw was precisely the pony that Lyra could feel right in her gut.
"Out in the field, I could already see a change in the way Lyra approached Sarafine when we went out to look at her. Lyra walked ahead and directly towards this pony. And then there was just contact. It was so amazing to see! The two really chose each other there. When we got in the car, Lyra said it was the pony she wanted."
And thus, Sarafine became Lyra's first pony.
Ever since Lyra started at the riding school at the age of 7, time with the horses has given her something very special.
"Lyra has had some difficulties throughout her school time. It has been a challenge for her with large groups, and she is extremely sensitive. But when we picked up Lyra on Thursdays after riding, we got a completely different and happy child home, who was part of a community. She really recharged with the horses. It was as if she found some grounding and a calmness in herself there."
Lyra is 11 years old, and in the summer of 2023, she became the lucky owner of 14-year-old Sarafine. Sarafine is a 14-year-old Welsh pony measuring 132 cm. Due to previous overweight, her neck crest has fallen, but this has no impact on her overall health. Lyra and Sarafine ride both tours, dressage, jumping, and do ground work together. Signe is Lyra's mother and owns the 3-year-old Fell pony Nate, and both horses are stabled in a private stable.
You can follow both Lyra and Sarafine and Signe and Nate on Instagram.
Some feelings have only been strengthened after Sarafine came into Lyra's life.
"Lyra has really blossomed even more! It has become easier for her to go to school, and her teacher can see a clear difference. I think it's about her having something steady in Sarafine, which is just hers. Where she can let everything go a bit and breathe all the way down to her gut."
To the naked eye, Sarafine looks like an ordinary pony. She is also in many ways, but one thing stands out a bit; her neck.
"Sarafine had previously been overweight. The weight loss she subsequently went through unfortunately caused her neck crest to fall, as the connective tissue could not hold it up. We have had her checked all around, and she does not hurt or is bothered by it."
For a long way, the fallen neck crest is therefore not something that hinders the daily handling of Sarafine.
"Sarafine is happy and comfortable in both handling and riding. She has a bit of difficulty with the canter because her balance is challenged, but then it just takes the time it takes. Besides, she will probably never be able to seek correctly down because the muscle composition has also collapsed a bit."
However, there is no doubt that Lyra adores Sarafine just the way she is. For Lyra, Sarafine is the perfect pony.
"Lyra says herself, she has found a best friend. And she is completely understanding that her best friend will not be able to compete in the high dressage classes, so her focus has shifted."
Signe
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Signe "Both Lyra and I probably had a bit of an idea that she should have a pony that she could start some competitions on, but that's just not the focus right now. Lyra just wants to go out to her pony, and then she can spend hours grooming and cuddling that pony. So she stands and whispers secrets to Sarafine."
With Sarafine, Lyra has found a friend in whom she can see herself.
"Lyra says herself, she - like Sarafine - is also a bit different. I think she feels that they can be a bit different together. When she talks about Sarafine to her friends, I can hear that she actually thinks Sarafine's appearance makes her a bit unique. She really manages to turn it into being proud of having a pony that looks a bit different."
"The last six months have really been an eye-opener. It has been incredible to witness how Lyra and Sarafine found each other. I am extremely proud of Lyra for saying no to ponies where she didn't feel right."
The fact that Sarafine looks different doesn't play a role in everyday life. Both Sarafine and Nate are stabled at a small private place with high ceilings and room for differences.
"I have talked with Lyra about if they want to start competing, there might be some who would point fingers. But as she says: 'It's my pony, and I have to like her.' So she's aware of it, but of course, she might react differently if she goes to a competition, but we'll take it from there. Fortunately, it has also become possible to start in other types of competitions."
The idea is that Lyra can start, for example, light dressage classes as well as small jumping competitions and events focused on ground work and similar. Moreover, Lyra dreams of participating in English riding classes under the breeding association. And otherwise, Sarafine is always ready for a trip in the forest!
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For now, Sarafine has undoubtedly given both Lyra and Signe a new perspective on what horses can actually do for us humans.
"Sarafine has given Lyra a whole new belief in herself. She has found a haven where she can feel that things succeed, and this reflects on her school. She has obviously also gotten older, but I definitely think that Sarafine has contributed positively to that development. I have also learned that I really should listen to her and her perspectives. Lyra stands very strong in herself."
Therefore, Signe also believes and hopes that Lyra is well-equipped to handle the potential challenges that can come when one's pony has a cosmetic defect.
"I definitely think she grows from this responsibility. It's fantastic to be on the sidelines and witness how they develop together," says Signe.
