Small Horses, Big Attitudes
Posted at 11:31 am January 26, 2006 by Lety Cotero
One of the very cool things about working in the Children’s Zoo (among many cool things) is the privilege to meet so many people, especially during our ” animal encounters.” During these encounters we like to walk Elmo and Sugar Plum out to the main Zoo. It is one of the ways we exercise them and it gives visitors the chance to actually pet them.
Elmo and Sugar Plum are miniature horses. Elmo is a 9-year-old male and
Sugar Plum, believe it or not, is 29 (only a few years younger than me). She is one of the oldest animals in the Children’s Zoo.
You may have seen us walking around the Zoo. Elmo always wants to run, and being so young, he is full of energy and, I assure you, very strong. When we first began walking our horses, Elmo was a little hard to handle, but with time, he learned that it wasn’t okay to try to drag me all around the Zoo (he would have loved for me to wear rollerblades).
On our walks we’ll pass by the gorillas and orangutans. It’s here that Elmo will drop and roll around on one side and then the other. He doesn’t mind that kids are anxiously waiting to pet him and take pictures with him. He just continues to roll till he’s had enough. Then he gets up and shakes off and is ready for petting. Sometimes, when we’re lucky, the orangutans will come over and take a look at his antics; if we’re REALLY lucky, they lick the glass. If you happen to be around, get the camera ready!
Although she is up in years, Sugar Plum can be feisty; she doesn’t hesitate to give Elmo a few good back kicks when he gets out of line. Elmo quickly learned not to push her around.
I’m also happy to say that Elmo and Sugar Plum will soon have a new friend in their stall. We are expecting the arrival of Katie. She is an 8-year-old miniature horse and measures 29 inches (74 centimeters) at the withers. She is currently in quarantine and is expected to arrive at the Children’s Zoo’s Petting Paddock by the end of the month, if all goes well. I also hear that Bob Cisneros, senior hospital keeper, is in love with her (we won’t mention it to his wife). Since our animals go through a period of introduction and adaptation when they first arrive at a new area, Katie may not be on exhibit until maybe a few weeks after her arrival. I’ll be sure to keep you posted.
Lety Cotero is a keeper in the San Diego Zoo’s Children’s Zoo.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Scroll to the end to leave a comment. Pinging is not allowed.
January 26th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
How fascinating – Elmo rolling around on the ground, and the orangutans licking the glass! Sounds like a love connection to me! I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the little ones the next time I go to the zoo – they sound absolutely adorable – and very entertaining. Thanks so much for the information – I just love all of these blogs – I learn so much!
January 27th, 2006 at 5:22 am
I just came across this blog today. How wonderful to read about the zoo. I was in CA a few years back and had the pleasure of a zoo visit. It’s absolutely beautiful!
January 27th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
Lety, your story was so much fun to read! And I’m happy to report that Kenai and I have been diligent with reporting our walks over the radio, because I too don’t enjoy getting pulled around the zoo. Keep up the good work, I love reading your blogs!
January 28th, 2006 at 5:58 pm
awww, they sound adorable. You guys (Lety, Maureen, Marcia, and Bridget) all have such a gift for writing your adventures around the zoo and WAP. I live in Georgia, so this is about as close as I can get to actually seeing these magnificent animals. Thank you all for your great storytelling and enthusiam for what you do! I look forward to the days when there’s a new blog and a new adventure.
January 29th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
Hi Lety. It’s such fun seeing you and Elmo out walking and getting the opportunity to talk with you about him and Sugar Plum. Can’t wait to see Katie! I think it’s great that you’ve written your blogs in both English and Spanish. Our many good neighbors from across the border must surely appreciate them. Tell us more about the animals you work with in your marvelous job!
February 6th, 2006 at 8:52 am
Thank you so much for the bilingual posting!
February 6th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
Are your intentions to mate Elmo and Katie?
May 4th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
Hello You Cute ponys. I think ya’ll are very pretty and sweet looking. Someday I look forward to meeting ya’ll.
Suger Plum: Do you like to eat, or sleep, or play with Elmo?
Well, whatever it is it’s your thing you like to do and that makes you special.
Elmo: Do you like doing your job or playing or just hanging out?
Well, whatever it is it makes you very special too.
Well guys, Have an AWESOME, TERIFFIC , FANTASTIC, WONDERFUL,HAPPY day.
Love, Lauren Johnson
May 15th, 2006 at 4:48 am
Cute