Are you like me with an attic or basement full of old photos, collections and mementos (otherwise known as junk) stowed away for safe keeping because you know you’re going to need it, want to look at it, or touch it again? You just can’t part with it…not yet, maybe never!
I’ve always wanted a pony, and ahh no, I do not have a pony tucked away in my attic.
But I did come across a very old photo once, while at an estate sale, of a child pictured on a pony dressed in full western attire. I was fascinated immediately and purchased it right on the spot.
At the time, I remembered seeing an old photo of my grandfather on a pony in the same type of cowboy get-up. As time went by I came across various other portraits of cowboy clad children on ponies, although I couldn’t say for sure where I saw them. I found this whole practice very curious, very curious indeed.
Anyways, I took my pony portrait home and displayed it on a shelf for several years. Eventually it was taken down and stored in my attic, but the burning question still remained.
Why were there all these vintage photos of children on ponies? And more so, why were they so often dressed in cowboy attire?
Was it a right to passage for these children, like that of getting your own cell phone is for the kids of today?
Was it a matter of prestige? “…my child has had his picture taken… on a pony… while in full cowboy attire…from this day forward, he is officially a respectable member of society… “
WHAT WAS THE DEAL???
With a little help from Google, I think I finally have at least a semblance of an answer.
According to Photo.net, circa 1950’s salesmen would navigate the streets of cities and towns with a pony in tow, enticing the neighborhood children to get their picture taken on a pony, often while dressed up as a cowboy or cowgirl. Children in droves would run home and beg their parents to pay the photographer the going rate for a picture with a pony. Several people share their pony pictures and stories, here.
I couldn’t find much more of an explanation on this subject without delving deep into research. So for now, I would have to assume, that for the most part, it was really more of a marketing ploy like you would see at Disney World, if you take your picture with Mickey Mouse.
I have to wonder if there is more to the story though, going further back in time.
This photo is of Quentin Roosevelt (son of President Theodore Roosevelt) and it was taken circa 1902.
I think my grandfather’s photo was taken not too long after this one, but way before the 1950’s.
- Could it be that taking a portrait on a pony became all the rage from this (iconic) photo?
- Do you think the tradition got it’s beginnings at the circus or perhaps The World’s Fair?
- Would you display vintage photos of children on ponies?
- Do you think there is more to the history of why there were so many photos of children on ponies, often dressed in cowboy gear?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
To see a large collection, check out this Children on Ponies board on Pinterest
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you are having a great weekend! ~ Amy
Bliss says
I sent a thinking of you card to a friend last week. It was a photo like these only the kid was sitting on a donkey. The outside read, “nothing new around here” and the inside said, “just sitting around on my asss thinking of you”.
Feral Turtle says
A very interesting post! Now I have to figure out where I saw a picture like that. I think my sisters in-laws had one.
Amy says
I want to say that I most likely saw a few in a restaurant or two with a decor theme that may have center around neighborhood memories or vintage wild west artifacts, something like that. Thank you, Karen
Mel says
I spent my teen years on horses so I’m sure there must be a few of me on horses and ponies but I probably wouldn’t display them, just not my thing. However I think a collection of vintage photos would be fun and something different.
Amy says
My sisters and I did, too. One of our favorite movies is Man from Snowy River! I think that was set on an Australian ranch.
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
I was terrified of ponies as a child. Glad that salesmen didn’t come to my town! LOL! What a fun thing to research and collect!
Doreen@househoneys says
Very interesting Amy, and I have to admit I’ve wondered the same thing but was too lazy to research it lol. I can always count on you to be my ‘go to’ gal 😉
Sharleen says
I remember pony rides at picnics and fairs . Now we have camel rides. Our kids would have their photos taken I’m sure. It was such a special thing for them. But unlike the old photos . Out kids just didn’t get dressed up . Except my daughter once got dressed up as a fairy and her photo was take on a computer generated unicorn. ! It’s all just fun . Great post Amy. Thank you. We are loving the old photos / old things nowadays.
Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says
This was really interesting. I’ve seen photos like these too and that the ponies were a marketing tool makes so much sense! I’d never thought about that before. And I like your thought that Quentin’s photo may have helped this fad take off!
TucsonPatty says
What a great research subject. I don’t think any of my siblings did this, but I’ve seen them. I loved looking a the Pinterest board of children on ponies. Too fun.
Lisa McInnis says
I’ve been collecting pony photos for sometime. My first, was that of my mother. Photographed in Detroit around 1946. Years later, I discovered my in laws both had childhood photos of themselves sitting on ponies. New York City and Chicago.
I think it was a way to make a buck. I imagine the photographer walking thru neighborhoods, taking a picture or two and then coming back to the house to deliver the photo and collect his pay. I wondered where the pony slept…how did he manage such an animal plus cowboy gear? Where were the photos being developed etc. I have photos that go back to 48 stars on the flag.
One of my favorites includeS seeing an adult trying to hide behind the pony holding up the toddler in the saddle. Also like how many kids you can get on a pony.
I bought about 100 photos in the early 2000s. $10 per photo was my limit. Someday, I expect they’ll be worth much more…
Amy says
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for taking the time to tell me about your collection and love for vintage pony photos. I’m so intrigued with them, as well, and wish I had more space in my home because I’d dedicate a whole room to vintage pony photos, lol. I know somewhere in our stash of family photos we have that one of my grandpa (in Chicago). I’m hoping I can find it again. I think it’s so cool that you found such a collection of these photos in one place and now you are keeping them safe, as I agree, they’ll probably be worth more as time goes on.
If you ever display them online somewhere, send me a link, I’d love to see them all.
Thanks again for sharing.
Your vintage-pony-photo-loving soul sister,
Amy
Vincent P Sanchez says
Hello Lisa:
I was impressed with your having a collection of pony photos and decided to contact you with my problem, hoping that you would consent to assist me.
As youngsters, my brother and me were photographed on a pony in Philadelphia PA during late 1950’s.
The photos are long gone.
Do you know if negatives of these photos exist, and if they can be obtained?
I realize that my question is not an easy one, but be assured that I appreciate any assistance you may provide.
Sincerely,
Vincent
Vincent P Sanchez says
Hello Lisa:
I enjoyed your comments on this subject and wondered if you can assist me in my quest.
I have spent a lot of time searching for an answer to a longstanding question.
In the late 1950’s my brother and me were photographed on a pony in Philadelphia PA while living at 1825 Green Street. The photos are long gone, but their images are etched in my mind.
My question is: does anyone have their photo from that era, and is there a name of a studio which developed these pictures on that photo? My hope is that somehow I can obtain the negatives (if they exist).
I would appreciate knowing this information.
A special thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Vincent
Larra says
My grandfather was the photographer from Philadelphia. He started doing pony photos in the late 1930s and continued until the mid 60s. My father helped care for the ponies and would deliver the photos the next day to the families. Unfortunately, they do not have any remaining negatives.
Delanie says
I have a photo of myself sitting on a pony in our front yard circa 1962-ish. I remember it like it happened yesterday. The “Pony Man” was walking through our neighborhood and I wanted my picture made on the pony. This was actually a yearly thing, usually in the summer when kids were out of school. Of course my parents said yes and up I went on the saddle of the pony. However, once I got up there, my fear of heights would always get the better of me and I would start crying to get down. Somehow they always got a semi-happy, though somewhat stressed looking picture since the Pony Man took payment in advance. It was such a gentler time and so innocent, very unlike the way things are today. I framed my pony picture and it hangs on the wall between the foyer and kitchen. I smile every time I see it and think of those summers 60+ years ago when life was sweet and the Pony Man came around with his camera and his pretty pony.