Hi, my name is Champ and I'd like to tell you a few things about Bob Coldwell. I haven't known him too long myself since I just came to live at his house (barn) here in Mt. Pleasant in September of 2002. Bob and his wife Barb, are "new" to the pony world but enjoying every day of it!

They first learned about Personal Ponies a few months ago through cousins Bob and Susie Walton, who have raised top-quality quarter horses for years. The Walton’s introduced Bob to Vickie Sheathelm, and she graciously volunteered to share Lady as well as a miniature donkey (Eeyore) at the Michigan Special Olympics in June of 2002. The Coldwell’s have been active 4-H leaders for the past 30 years and enjoy sharing their animals at petting zoos for Special Olympics, nursing homes, and children of all ages. Their main area of animal expertise has been with rabbits, as they serve as Rabbit Superintendents at the Isabella County Fair each year. All four of their grandchildren of course raise rabbits, but now are enjoying taking me for a walk whenever they come to visit.

A couple of years ago the Coldwell’s youngest son, Ron, moved back to Mt. Pleasant and decided to help them fill up their barn and chicken coop! You see, I'm not the only animal here on this little 2-acre farm. For companions I have some pygmy goats, a couple of Nubian goats, a pot-bellied pig, three dogs, five cats, pigeons, rabbits, and most recently, an emu was added to their menagerie. Some days I think I'm Bob's favorite, but he has always tried to teach his 4-H members that raising any animal deserves your best effort and you should learn all you can about that species. He has really been asking all his "horse friends" lots of questions! So many terms are new to him, but he's learning. He recently bought a used pony cart -- wonder what he has in mind for that?

Bob would be happy to show me off if you just contact him first and make sure someone's home. (He's a retired bus mechanic, but still enjoys driving a school bus when called in as a sub.) He can be reached by phone at (989) 772-5702 or by email.