The two bonded over the fence of Snowball’s pen, he said, adding the pony basked in the 6-year-old’s attention and kind of blocked the other horses from getting to him.
‘‘He picked my son,” Martin said. ‘‘It was fast for those two.”
Snowball was one of 12 Arabber ponies that HorseNet Horse Rescue brought from a Baltimore stable that was condemned last year, said Elle Williams, formerly of Eldersburg and founder of HorseNet.
The ponies were temporarily housed at Pimlico Race Course, she said.
Arabbing is a Baltimore tradition in which vendors, called Arabbers, use the ponies to pull brightly decorated carts of produce down city streets.
The Arabbers had licenses for 28 of the 50 ponies that had to be relocated; the others were likely being trained to go to work or retired from working and needed permanent homes, she said.
HorseNet took in the final 12 that needed homes, Williams said, and that number will turn into a baker’s dozen since they learned that one of the ponies, Angel, is pregnant.
Volunteers at the farms carry out traditional farm duties, such as feeding the animals and mucking their stalls, as well as socializing the skittish ponies.
‘‘They’re having to work on trust issues,” Williams said.
Volunteer Alyssa Mrvos takes turns in the evening, feeding and bringing in animals that need to be indoors for the night.
When the Arabber ponies arrived, they were hard to catch, Mrvos said, adding now they come eagerly to the gate for treats when she volunteers Monday evenings.
‘‘They each have their own personalities,” she said. ‘‘They’re so funny.”
Mrvos began looking for a place to volunteer six months ago, she said. Williams responded immediately she said, telling her that she would be of great use to HorseNet.
She had not been around horses before, but since the farm was close to her home in Mount Airy she was willing to give it a try. ‘‘I love animals.”
The animals need lots of love as their issues are discovered and addressed. Some of the Arabber ponies developed leg problems from working on the unforgiving pavement and one pony, Star, has breathing problems from having had broken ribs. He hasn’t yet realized that he can take deep breaths without pain and is receiving message therapy.
‘‘I’ve always taken in Arabber [ponies] before,” Williams said. ‘‘They’re a lot of work, but they’re worth it.”
The value is evident in the connection Snowball forged with his new adoptive family. ‘‘She will pretty much be a pet now,” Williams said.
And it was a reunion of sorts for the dad and horse. Martin, who works in downtown Baltimore, said he saw Snowball pulling a cart down Monument Street about four months ago and recognized her at the farm.
Despite their history, Martin said he often mistakenly refers to Snowball as a ‘‘he,” and Patrick is quick to correct him.
One of the rescued Arabber ponies, Jake, will be the mascot for HorseNet during its second mini-walk that will take place 2 p.m. April 26 at Watkins Park and end in downtown Mount Airy.
The rescue will also hold its first Healing Horse Spirit Pow Wow April 12 and 13 at the Firemen’s Activity Grounds on Twin Arch Road in Mount Airy. The Pow Wow will feature dancers, food, crafts and organizers are looking to get a buffalo
People can donate money to sponsor walkers during the mini walk, and a $5 donation will be asked for entry to the Pow Wow. Proceeds from both support the rescue farm and go directly to the horses.
For information, e-mail Michelle Kegel-Sithithavorn at mkegel@comcast.net or visit www.horsenethorserescue.org.
