TDN Weekend December 2016 Issue 9
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1099087
"Stormy, he came with his name," said Cole. "He's around 7 or 8. I bought him off another outrider friend of mine who works down in Louisiana, and now I know why he sold him to me. He can be a pain, but he is getting there. I like to rotate my horses. You can tell when they are at their wits' end because they won't act the way they normally do and need a break." Keeneland is known for its hospitality and that ex- pectation extends to its outriders and their mounts. Happily, most of the ponies are more than willing to entertain the public when they aren't busy tending to the racehorses. "You hate to tell the people no when they ask to pet your horse," said Cole. "My horses usually love little kids. I have a young daughter myself, and she gets them acclimated. They are pretty good, especially with little kids. "They are no different than people in that they all have their own personalities. Most of them, once they realize about peppermints, they are happy to be pet- ted. If you walk up and pet them nice and slow, they will just drop their head and love the attention." If you've ever encountered a pony who does tricks at Keeneland, odds are you've met Colby Lavergne's horse, Mouse. A 12-year-old of questionable heritage, Mouse was bred to run cows, but it turns out what he excels at is catching his fellow equines. "He doesn't know how good he's got it being a pony at Keeneland," said Lavergne. "He grew up rough though. He was ugly as a youngster. That's why they called him Mouse. When he was about five, he blossomed. "I got him from one of my buddies in Louisiana. I started outriding at Delaware Park as my first job, and I took him. I liked him so much I bought him. Mouse COLBY LAVERGNE – MOUSE