A few years ago, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College introduced Onyx as the first mascot. This week, the College is taking the school mascot to the next level — a live miniature horse.
Dottie L. King, Ph.D., president, connected with her sister-in-law, Vicki King, who raises miniature horses. One thing led to another, and now The Woods has welcomed Little Onyx as its live mascot.
One day, Dottie asked Vicki if she had a black miniature horse. Vicki did and thought Dottie was looking for a new pet — but Dottie said she was instead looking for a mascot.
“Dottie asked what I wanted for her, and I said I’d just donate her to the school, so I know she’ll have a good home and will be well taken care of,” Vicki said. “And every once in a while, I can go visit her.”
Dottie said this had been a part of her vision for a while.
“I am so excited to bring Little Onyx to campus!” Dottie said. “Together, we will watch her learn and become a fun part of our traditions.”
Edward Ferguson, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of Equine Studies, said having a live mascot will be beneficial not just for fun but for academics, too.
“She will be used in the training class and can provide considerable diversity in terms of size,” Ferguson explained. “Students may have to learn to adjust approaches or techniques to adapt them to a horse of her size. She will also be used in size classes such as genetics, anatomy and physiology and reproductive physiology — to show the diversity of horse sizes and as a teaching tool to demonstrate epiphyseal plates in horses.”
Luckily, with the established and knowledgeable equine department, Little Onyx already has comfy digs. She is staying in the stables, although the College hopes to have an outside pin for her soon.
“We already have 40 horses, two barns and multiple pastures,” Ferguson said about housing the mascot. However, due to her size, she cannot be in the pasture with other horses. “Horses are herd animals and do not like being isolated. Since she won’t be able to stay with the other horses, we got a miniature goat to be her companion — she was raised with goats, so this should be a perfect fit for her. They will be constant companions.”
Ferguson said Little Onyx will live around 20 to 30 years. “She can truly create her own legacy as she begins to create memories for everyone,” he said.