All posts by admin

It’s just a rib.

Hello, echo chamber! I’ve decided to try to resurrect this blog even if just to have one more thing to do in my day as I have so much free time. One would think, after a partial diagnosis of a broken rib yesterday, that I would have more time. However, I have managed to work for nearly 3 months with just 23 functional ribs so it feels silly to slow down now.

As a horse person it will surprise relatively few that I do not take great care of myself. I did once ride some wild horses for 150 miles across Mongolia with a broken hand, but that is another story. I know it’s wrong, in theory, to ignore my health. It’s certainly a double standard when compared to how I care for my horses, but it is very hard to  find time make time in my day when I work as much as I do.

Oddly enough, I have been trying. I made a commitment to myself this summer to practice better self care. I went on a vacation after over a year without one. I started doing more meditation, journaling. I created my own version of a tea ritual in the mornings where I boil water in my Tetsubin kettle and brew tea while listening to inspirational podcasts and music, rather than going straight for the news and my laptop. I even got my first massage.

Continue reading It’s just a rib.

Crazy Contacts: Episode 1

New horses arrived a couple days ago. Just added them to the website detailing what we know of them, our initial impression of their temperament, and how they will be getting evaluated by our vet on Friday. Just got this e-mail.

“I know his bio mentions that you don’t have a lot of information on him, but can you share any more information..?”

So tempting to respond, “Well, he’s a Taurus and enjoys long walks on the beach…”

Sorry, kid.

Hi. I’m under aged (14) and I know that u have to have a parental consent in order to give out information on your horses. But I have been waiting for JS to become available for 4 months. And I was ecstatic when I went on the available page and saw him. Unfortunately, my property is no where near ready for any horse or horses. Please email me back. Thx

Poor kid. I don’t work with kids as a general policy as more often than not the parents are not involved initially. Add to that the concern that all my horses are quite green, many not restarted in their post-racing training and few kids are ready to take that type of horse on without significant help. Add to that the fact that parents are much more quick to return horses to our program at the slightest fault in the horse or as soon as the kid’s interest wanes or they go to college… just, no.

That’s not to say I haven’t had several successful adoptions with a minor as the recipient of the horse. Those just happen to be very special, happy circumstances that worked out great and I put a lot of effort into ensuring they were not the average kid. Several of those “kids” are now adults and climbing the levels of their respective sports and doing very well!

Even so, I cringe and sigh when I get e-mails like these. I know their heart is probably in a good place, but I hesitate to even respond, partly because I know the horse they’re after is in no way suitable for a 14 year old (especially without involved parents) to take on.

Sorry, kid.

Little mare

I lost this girl one year ago today. We were together for ten years, a third of my life at the time, and it still felt like she was gone much too soon. Like no other dog, she was my partner, my co-worker, my training partner, partner-in-crime, and best friend. She was with me through a lot of great times, a lot of hard times, and a lot of shit times, including some of the hardest days of my life, and we always got through it together. Continue reading Little mare

There’s a whole world outside the barn, and sometimes it creeps in.

Had a long talk today with one of our volunteers, a lovely older lady who is just learning about horses in her 60’s and has been coming out for several months now. She told us a bit about what it was like to move to the US after her father was killed, when she was 20 years old. She told us about the struggle to learn the language, the accomplishment of not only going on to get a masters but two law degrees and becoming a successful lawyer.

Continue reading There’s a whole world outside the barn, and sometimes it creeps in.

Blindsided

In my job, I meet a lot of horses coming off the racetrack that are injured. Most of the ones I take are recoverable, and I do everything in my power to ensure they benefit from a successful rehabilitation plan. Some horses I take have injuries that they may not recover from, but they have a fair chance and that’s enough to justify the time. Others I agree to take one as an act of mercy, as they face a more uncertain or inhumane fate otherwise. Continue reading Blindsided

“my name is morgan and for my birthday Im asking for a horse. Im looking for a jumper which i see he is, i had a horse before and she did not really work out because she was scared of the flower pots that decorate the jumps so now Im looking for a new one”