North Dundas’ beloved Horse Tony has finally been fully restored and installed at his forever home, just up the road from the old spot where he looked over County Road 43 for decades. Plans had been in place for him to be installed at Dundas Veterinary Services in Winchester, but instead, his new home is on the property of Loughlin’s Country Store in Hallville.
“The location was decided on as he will never have to be moved again,” said Janet Smith, who spearheaded the restoration project. “He will also be able to direct traffic as he is at an intersection location again… still on highway 43 just up the road a wee bit from where he used to reside.” The veterinary office operates on rented property, but the decision was made to have Tony placed on the owned property of Loughlin’s.
Janet credits her son and a small crew with freeing Tony from his old cement foundation after he was picked up from the man who purchased him from the original owner, Shirley Fawcett. Janet completed all the restoration work herself in her backyard in Chesterville, which gives Horse Tony a connection to yet another part of North Dundas. The restoration work was painstaking, and ended up being a learning curve for Janet. Some minor setbacks delayed the return of North Dundas’ beloved horse to public life.
“I am very proud to have been able to complete the repairs,” Janet added. “All the work was done outside, so working around rain, or then having to put him away during the winter meant that he was not able to be completed right after he got here. I also could only do what my body allowed me to do per day. My grandson would help by helping bring out the tools or put the tools away, he also had his own little sanding block that he would work with while gramma used the power sander. Or he would be out playing while gramma was working on Tony.”
Janet credited her sons as huge helps in the restoration project, noting that they were first and foremost, her “cheering squad”.
“I know the ‘neigh’ sayers don’t understand and think that he is only an inanimate object that should have went to the ‘glue factory’… but not to me or the countless others whose lives he was a part of in some fashion or form… he means a lot,” said Janet, noting that for so many, he was used as a source of directions, with people instructing others to “turn at the horse” in order to get to Inkerman or South Mountain. Now, an instruction to “turn at the horse” will guide County Road 43 motorists into Hallville, eventually leading to rural Ottawa backroads.
“A few of the Fawcett family members are my sons’ ages and have expressed fond memories of Tony, so I did it for them as well,” Janet added. She expressed how checking to see what Tony was “wearing” was a delight to many children and passing motorists for decades.
Janet notes that just like at his original home, Tony resides on private property, with no trespassing allowed or needed since he is visible from the road in all directions. There will be an official unveiling in the spring.
Janet adds: “A heartfelt thank you to Brett for allowing Tony to reside once again on County Road 43 on his lawn!”
