Stories

By Paige Noelck, Canada

Simon was really a wish come true. He came Into my life at a time that I needed a friend that would always stick by me the most. He taught me to never underestimate myself and what we can achieve if I put my heart into it. I needed a friend and something I could always count on to be there for me no matter what and he have that to me. I could never thank him enough for that. He is my fairytale come true.

 

By Danielle Detz, Netherlands

 

The pony on the left is named Maisie and the other pony’s name is Rizan. Maisie is a little naughty with riding, but she’s very sweet and Rizan is very sweet too. Rizan had cancer a few years ago, but she beat it. We always have fun riding them. I think they are the sweetest ponies ever.

My friends and I loved the two ponies, but the farm where they lived didn’t had enough money to keep them. We knew the ponies for about 5 years and we really loved them. We did everything with them and we cried very hard when they were picked up.

By Dani Davis, California

A year and a half ago, I shared a story on here about the loss of an arabian mare that I was very close to. The grief of losing her was very hard for me to overcome. In Nov 2013 my friend, Elaine was approached by her sister in law about a paint gelding that was being neglected and would soon be sold to slaughter if he did not find a home. The person currently in possession of him couldn’t afford to feed him and her horse. Elaine went and saw the horse; he had great legs but he was brink of going into the most severe category of emaciation.

 

After talking to my boyfriend, Elaine and him planned to get the horse as an early Christmas present for me. When I first found out about him, they showed me a picture of him and told me, “His name is Shane. He is 16 years old, underweight, lost a lot of muscle over who knows how many years of neglect. Shane has gone from home to home every 4 months for the last few years so he will need time to build trust. If anyone can bring life back to him it’s you.” I have always wanted and prayed to have a horse of my own for the last 10 years since all the horses I spent time with always ended up being sold. Of course when I first saw a picture of Shane, I started to cry because I couldn’t believe I would finally have a horse of my own and Shane was in such a poor state with a depressed look on his face.

Once I met Shane, I couldn’t help but feel sad since his body was in worse condition than I first thought. You could see his hip bones, his vertebrae and ribs stuck out, and when doing the skin test for hydration, could tell he was very dehydrated. Shane is very fortunate to be able to be boarded at Elaine’s house since he has access to to two big stalls, a turnout and the arena.

 

When we first turned him loose, Shane went to drink some water, rolled and hopped up and took off running. Elaine told me where Shane was being kept was a place 40 miles off a road in a small paddock that had no room for him to lay down and only water with little hay. Shane is a tri colored Paint gelding mixed with either thoroughbred or standardbred.

 

After spending a little time with Shane, I managed to come up with a plan on how to go about putting weight on him. I knew it needed to start slowly. After getting him checked by a vet, teeth floated, and checked as in good health other than needing muscle and weight put on; I started his journey to recovery. The vet said Shane is not 16, he’s actually 24. My boyfriend asked me if I wanted to walk away from Shane due to his age; I said, “I can’t walk away from him. Even though I have only spent a month with him and he is knot headed he deserves a chance to see what love really is & that not all people are bad.”

 

In March 2014, Shane gained 300 lbs so far; we decided to take Shane to a local arena and try to get him over his phobia of the trailer [which is the trailer=being dumped off somewhere]. We had to make a stop before arriving to arena; I was petting Shane trying to get him to relax, but I could tell he was nervous and afraid I was going to dump him off somewhere since it was about that time with the previous owners.

 

After going to the arena & getting some exercise, we went back to his house and he was greeted with a happy whinny from the two young fillies that are his neighbors. A couple more times going out in the trailer and another month gone by; Shane finally decided to open up and start being more loving towards me. I’m happy to say that Shane is now up to weight & loves going to the beach and trail riding. His favorite thing is galloping up hills and getting grain twice a day.

 

6-7 months, 500 lbs heavier & very happy. He had a hard life before we met as I also had, but we are two pieces of the same broken heart. I’m glad to give him a forever loving home & bring him this far. Elaine’s sister in law and the person who had him before recently asked how he is doing and are very happy for Shane to have come as far as he has.

Here is a picture of when I first got him.

By Addie Newman, Canada

 

This is Lucky Shamrock, my beautiful new Arab quarter horse. She’s still learning to trust me and I’m still learning to trust her. I just got her a month ago and she really responds to my voice. I have to talk to her when I ride her. The other day my brother got on her not knowing that he had to talk to her and she laid down while he was on her so he just got off her. I’m still bonding with her and trying to gain her trust.

By Sophie Mulholland

The pictures are of me and my first horse Romeo. I got him in winter of 2013, aged 3 years old. He is an Irish Cob. Romeo was rescued from slaughter at a very young age. I have had him for a year now and already he has improved in such a short space of time. I am incredibly proud of this wee horse. He has overcome his bad start; all he needed was a second chance and someone to believe in him.

I am glad I found him because I knew as soon as I seen him he had so much potential and so much to offer. My hopes are to do some showing with him, but my biggest goal is to start eventing him!

By Hannah Marie

 

I have owned him for 2 years now and have produced him completely myself. When I had to give up my loan pony when I was 15, I had no other choice to buy a cheap unbroken youngster to bring on myself.

 

Everyone told me how he was too sharp for me, how had never be able to jump properly because he was a trotter, how I couldn’t manage it, how he was scruffy etc. The list went on. After all, he couldn’t even canter properly when I bought him. He wouldn’t catch, load, stand for the Farrier, lunge or anything!

 

For six months I rode him bareback, because I couldn’t get a saddle fitter and during this time he did his first course of jumps, went swimming for the first time etc. When I got a saddle, we started proper schooling and after a huge amount of falls, setbacks, injuries, time, perseverance and hardwork, we’re finally at the stage no one thought we’d ever get to.

I ride him tackless more than I ride him with tack. He’s now competed up to BN and I hope to try a few BD’s with him this year. He has been jumping over fences of BE100 height and he has qualified for places like the champs of Great Britain and David broomes. We have accomplished so much in the past 2 years and I’m so proud of him! I trust this horse with my life and I couldn’t imagine ever selling him, definitely my horse of a lifetime.

By Heather Walker-Adams

 

My man Petey (Lucky Walter McCue). He is the most amazing horse ever!!! He is on his 3rd generation of women. My mom…to me…and to my daughter who is 7.

 

My mom got Petey when he was two. He is from New Richmond, Wi. He was a little homely 14H nerdy looking horse….but at 5 bloomed into a beast! My mom competed with him in CMO’s for years. When she couldn’t ride him anymore due to his size and her having hip issues, we traded horses because there is no way we could ever sell him. I gave her my larger sized Icelandic horse for Petey.

 

I knew then why my mom loved him so much! He is sweet, smart, sassy, but very considerate of his rider. I can do anything with Big Petey. I love games and love his get up and GO! My now 7 year old has been riding a couple years, but has now taken a lovin’ to Petey. I love that!! He is so gentle and responsive to her.

 

Petey is now 18. I can get on him and trail ride or make some dust! Whatever we decide to it always leaves me with a smile. My 7 year old Lydia can get on and he knows exactly how to handle her. I hope to bring them to a couple fun shows this summer. I just hope Petey can hold back on his sassy games…hehehe.

When he is spunky and pretending to show off like a parade horse. He likes to purposely smack your butt on the saddle to the point it sounds like a spanking! He especially does this running up hills. It is totally intentional and you know he is grinning ear to ear. He truly has a huge heart and is forever in all of ours. We love you Petey!!!

By Sophie Gibson, Isle of Wight

 

These are my two gorgeous boys, Monty(left) Simba(right). They mean the world and more to me! I could never have asked for better horses to grow up with.

 

Monty has been my safe horse through everything, one of the best canters of my life, the first horse I’ve ever bathed. He’s been there through it all and helped me settle in at my yard.

 

Simba has been my loan pony and I have grown to form a bond with this gorgeous horse. He has come along way since he first came to my yard; he’d jump every hitching post, but now he ties up perfectly; he didn’t know how to canter when he first came, but the people at my yard helped him so much! He now jumps the fences in the field, but he’s come such a long way since the bad times. He’s also helped me grow more confident in my riding. He’s changed me and made me a better rider, just like Monty.

 

These beautiful boys will always have a special part of my heart forever.

By Stephanie Keeble, Florida

We are both 17 and have been raised together. I love him with all my heart. He has helped me through my grandfather’s death and much more! Most people look at him as see just a horse. I look at him and see my best friend, my rock, my therapist , my shoulder to cry on, my happiness, my soulmate, and my world. Yes he may break my bones, but he will NEVER break my heart.