I just thought I wanted to write a letter for Ginas newsletter this time 'cause she said that a lotta folks are askin' how I'm doin' and also 'cause I got a letter from my pals Bingo and Becky a couple a weeks ago.

I kinda wanted to talk to everyone about me bein' so little 'cause ya see I only found out a couple of weeks ago that I'm different.

I've sorta wondered why I can't run as good as everyone else and why most of the other horses are so much bigger than me, but I figured since Dillon is only a tiny bit taller than me at 2 (I'm three) and Arielle is kinda between him and me, ('course she's only a baby, she's only one) I was just small, that's all. BUT.......we got some new horses in a couple a weeks ago and the yearling colt started laughin at me and callin me names. Even if I am older, he really hurt my feelings and made me real sad. Then I saw myself in a rain puddle and I did look different, so I went to Gina and asked her. She looked real sad and took me over and sat under the walnut tree with me and we had a talk. She told me that there are lots of little guys like me around, but most folks are afraid to admit that they are there. I asked why and she said 'cause a lot of folks don't understand that when you are breeding for smaller and smaller horses, sometimes what you get isn't always just right. Some of these special little guys never make it or are not allowed to live. She explained that there are lots of reasons why some of us are small and that some of us little guys have too many birth defects to live a happy life.

When I was born, I guess I looked OK and even my exrays said I was normal, but then I just didn't grow. I had to take Thyroid medicine for a couple a years but now I guess I don't need it anymore.

Anyway, Gina said I'm really beautiful to her 'cause I'm so special. She says I make her smile every day and most of the folks who come here love me too. Sure, there are some people who think I look too funny or hurt too much or somethin' and maybe it would have been better if I was gone, but I'm just glad I'm here.

I love the sun and bein' able to lay out in it. I love the rain and bein' able to play in it. I love the mares and talkin' to them and also love teasin' the stallions and makin' them mad. Best of all I love chasin' piggy and havin her yell at me. I get to be in the backyard and do all the stuff the other horses can't do and I have my very own barn. I may look different, but Gina says she loves my big brown eyes and loooong lashes, my cute little fanny (she's always pattin it) and the way I tease the mares. I think my Doc Bob likes me lots too 'cause he kinda looks at me with just a little bit of wonder every time he's here. I guess I'm one lucky little fellow 'cause I'm really feelin pretty good and I'm never sick anymore. I still like to act grumpy when new folks come 'cause I used to be really scared that people would hurt me, but I'm even gettin' over that.

My life here on the farm is pretty good, and I'm happy and Gina says not to worry about bein' different 'cause she and her friends will always love me. I never have to worry about leavin' here 'cause this is my home and I can grow old here and help raise all the babies all the time.

So I guess I don't have to be sad when someone says "Oh, what happened to him" 'cause what happened was God landed me in the best place in the whole world with the best people ever and they love my outside as much as my inside and isn't that just the way it should be??

Love, Zeus