I’ve been working on the accounting for my horse businesses this week, while my search for a new saddle continues, which makes me think of the Lyle Lovett song, “Which Way Does That Old Pony Run?”
It’s hard to understand what he and John Hiatt are talking about before they start strumming, but that’s okay by me (and I hope, by you too).
It’s also hard to be sure what story Lyle Lovett is singing, and about whom. I think it’s not our narrator, it’s someone else, who’s still learning, who’s asking about the pony and the saddle and the gun. And Lyle’s answer, who has gone beyond learning to knowing, is “What’s riches to you, just ain’t riches to me.” Let me know if you agree…or if you hear something different. Lyle’s not talking. He told Bob Edwards on public radio in 2001 that in this song, “the main focus was usage…was really just the language.” Which makes me wonder who asked him which way that old pony went…or whether it’s just poetry.
Reflections on Riding 
“Which way did that old pony run”, well, I don’t know about which way that old pony ran, but I do know which way our young pony ran on his 2nd night in his new home, straight to his Poulin Grain Endurance. The good news is he did not colic, he was nice and FORWARD for my daughter’s ride and he only had 5 cups since he’s an easy keeper.
If we did not already know a horse named “Houdini”, we would certainly consider changing his name. But for now we will keep the regal name “Sir William”. It may be a bit fancy for a little 8yr old cherry bay, Hackney/Welsh X that’s slightly green but that’s okay.
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Hello Jennifer! I’m so glad to see your comment. You always have interesting things to say so I hope you continue to contribute here. I’m relieved to hear that Sir William is all right after his adventure in Poulin country.
I have to say that his name suits him. It’s a mouthful but I’ve never been even tempted to call him Bill or Will or Willy (even if it’s pronounced quite adorably in the German fashion as “Villy”). He is Sir William. Perhaps it’s his confidence or should I say brashness (which the free dictionary defines as “presumptuously forward” — fits, doesn’t it?!). He knows he’s something special and he’s not about to pretend otherwise. Neither should he, since he believes he is an aristocrat!
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