People do not understand why we don't just get rescue ponies or less expensive ponies. If you have ever owned a parrot mouthed or club-footed pony, you realize they can often require significantly more care. Also, a pony with conformation flaws cannot be expected to have as active or as fulfilling a life as a more correct pony. This is why we must have excellent breeding stock. We owe it to our ponies and to their familes to provide the maximum quality lifespan.
Disposition is also a proven hereditary trait.
In our zeal to provide wheelchairs for the maximum number of children, we buy the cheapest wheelchairs we can find. Then we have given our children something that is not quite as comfortable, maybe high in maintenance costs and frequently in need of repair or adjustment. But if instead we set out to provide the highest quality product possible, the product best suited to its intended purpose of serving a special-needs child, then the recipients of our program would benefit tremendously. Hopefully, enthusiastic word of our program would spread and support increase. We think Vicky's comments address some very important points.