He’s been saddled with the responsibility of carrying loads of litter.
But when it comes to enthusiasm for the job, Pumpkin the 38in tall Shetland pony doesn’t come up short.
Owner Georgina Craig says the 21-year-old has come out litter-collecting with her for two years now and gets excited at the sight of bags as it means a walk.
The mum-of-two said she picks up the rubbish while Pumpkin walks in front – but she said the 220kg pony has perfect recall and canters back when asked so she can load him up.
At first, Pumpkin was a bit wary of wearing the bags but now he enjoys it.
The pair go out once a month along a cycle path and Georgina puts Pumpkin on a long lead if it gets busy or they are near a road.
Retired Georgina, from Edinburgh, said: ‘I thought “Why am I carrying these heavy bags when I have a pony who could help me?”
‘He carries two bags across his saddle.
‘His recall is very good — better than a lot of dogs. He canters back when I call, stands beside me, and waits until he gets a carrot.’
She said she first started taking him out for a walk to give him a bit of exercise and ‘something for him to do outside of the field’ but then she realised they could do something more useful at the same time.
Georgina said there is much more litter around today than 40 years ago and she mostly picks up cans, plastic bottles, and snack wrappers people have dumped.
‘I think that’s the stuff people just tend to throw out the car window,’ she said.
‘I can easily fill the two bags we go out with, there is enough litter around.
‘When people see Pumpkin they will say ‘oh how cute’.
‘He is very cheeky and playful.
‘He loves to get petted by people when we are out but he does like to get into jackets and pockets to look for treats.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
