What is Pat The Pony?
1.
Give up an idea/scheme as unworkable, esp. due to expense involved. From an incident where pony rides were offered, but were too expensive, so the child involved was told that she could "pat the pony" instead.
"This looks really good!"
"But look at the price!"
"Ah...oh dear. Never mind, I guess we'll pat the pony on that one."
See