@MGB_GT  
I think we’re all missing the point that this pony has a week’s supply of gravy in it’s car.

I believe the taxi company that made the original cab went under. It’s now china owned. At least it’ll still be around. Unlike most of the UK manufacturers. Combined with numpty governmets and greedy companies and workers that themselves together brought things to a close.

@Background Pony #783E  
Well, after the Iron Nightmare closed all the mines, she probably had to get a new job as a taxi driver in t’ big city. Better than a gig as a mare stripper, anyway.
 
Yes, the idea that all pit ponies were blind, wretched creatures is fairly far from the truth. If you’re paid for getting as much coal as possible mined as quickly as possible, you’d to look after your working animals rather than mistreat them. In reality, the rate of blindness or other injuries was about the same as for other working horses, though the ones kept for longer underground would have to be re-accustomed to daylight rather slowly when they were retired.
 
It is a fairly widespread belief though, and it almost certainly influenced the origin story of the G1 twinkle-eyed ponies.

@when she felt her wings unfold  
People have a pre-set image in their mind of what a pit pony was and how they were treated, although many were actually kept in pretty good conditions and were treated alright. Sure; some mines kept them below ground 24/7 365 days a year, but others treated them quite well, with proper care above ground including stables and land.
 
…and this one even has it’s own company car!

Pit ponies make me sad, especially when they go blind and have to have their eyes replaced with gemstones (100% FACT)