Since they first met two years ago, Rocky the pony and adorable spaniel Zak have been inseparable. The two are so close that Rocky even allows Zak to ride on his back, and in Rocky’s stable, they cuddle up to groom one other.
Even when owner Laura Halstead, 33, is exercising the 12.2hh pony while Zak is hanging on behind Laura, 28-year-old Rocky will let Zak ride him. They’ve received recognition for the tricks they perform together at horse competitions before retiring to the stables to cuddle.
“Rocky is my childhood pony and he has a big personality, but he met his match in Zak and they just bonded,” said Laura from Tarleton, Lancashire. Their friendship is incredible.
It’s incredibly beautiful to watch. Zak will hop on Rocky’s back to repay Rocky for grooming him by giving him a mouth-to-back scratch. They spend a lot of time together, but they never seem to annoy one another, and one will always put the other in their place if they go too far. In addition to giving 12.1 hands Rocky kisses and cuddles, Zak will jump four feet in the air and land on his back for rides.
Two years after their initial meeting, third wheel Laura’s role is to remind Zak that Rocky is her pony and that he must line up before riding him.
The energetic spaniel has Rocky run circles around and frequently bounce off of him in addition to providing a high vantage position and an opportunity to put his paws up. For all his racing around, Zak frequently receives a soothing rubdown and massage from Rocky, so it’s not a one-way street for these two.
Rocky gave show jumping a try, and the bouncing dog, inspired by him, shows that dogs are not the only animals who can complete a round without error.
Laura stated, “We have basically known Rocky since he was a foal. We bought him when he was three years old, but my uncle knew the man well. He truly is a once-in-a-lifetime pony!
When I was 14 years old, we sold him to a girl in the neighboring hamlet. She never offered him for sale, and a few years back I contacted her to see how he was doing.
She allowed me to put my son on him for a ride before bringing him back to me. I sobbed uncontrollably for the next few hours. Tyler, 12, and Daniel, 7, are Laura’s two children with her partner Phil Wright, 39. The guys don’t understand the issue because they are so accustomed to Rocky and Zak’s playful behavior. They have been accustomed to it and believe that a dog and a horse being best friends is common, according to Laura.
“I’ve really ridden Rocky the most this year, but my cousin Ruby, 10, rides him the most of the time.
“She has been taking him to competitions for the past few years, and he was Simonswood Riding Club’s winner of the equine personality award.”
He truly is a once-in-a-lifetime pony.
