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Ponies are prey animals who prefer peaceful environments around their own kind and are uncomfy with bright lights, screaming crowds, and marching bands. Exploiting them as mascots is setting them up to suffer— yet Southern Methodist University (SMU) continues to cart a pony named Peruna IX around to chaotic sporting events as part of its outdated mascot program. 🤬
Since 1932, SMU has burned through nine different ponies. Peruna I was hit by a car and killed; Peruna II died of blood poisoning after a horse kicked her; Peruna IV died of a jaw infection; Peruna V survived a kidnapping attempt; Peruna VI was forced to work for two decades without retirement; skittish Peruna VII broke his leg but was still forced to run during games for years while his leg swelled; and Peruna IX, the latest pony to suffer at SMU, has been forced to attend loud, stressful games for over a decade and has no plans for retirement in sight. 😰
Like all animals, ponies are unique and interesting individuals who can experience stress, pain, joy, love, and the desire to be free. They’re not props or objects. Period.
Please join us in urging SMU to permanently end the use of “Perunas” so that no more ponies will be forced to suffer in the name of entertainment at SMU! 🐴