Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Susan Blood Bunge on February 5, 2010 at 3:18pm

Token Treasure AKA Skipper age 28 is my very first own horse. I was 50 when he became mine. It took 4 1/2 hours to load him to bring him to me! Chris Irwin helped me with this 16 yr old, scared of the trailer, 1/4 horse. Since that time Skipper has taught me everything and, he now loads himself!


My Horse

Token Treasure, my treasure , my dream come true.
Soft muzzle nuzzles.
Carrots or Love ? One of the same.
Flying tail, pounding hooves.
Fear? Joy? a cinnamon blurr.

He returns to my outstretched hand, to my smile. Muscles tight.
Slowly relaxing. Soft muzzle nuzzles.
Cradled chin to chin, we breathe.
Is that a tear?

Skipper, my joy, My Horse.

Permalink Reply by Susan Blood Bunge on February 9, 2010 at 12:26pm

I love my Horse because he IS what he is, an all round athlete, a gentleman, but most of all a respectful friend. Susan Bunge

Permalink Reply by Cheryl on February 5, 2010 at 3:51pm

A Tribute to Splash of Pzazz (TB)
This 20 year old mare came into my life as a frisky 2 y/o. She was somewhere in the middle of a long line of horses that have been in my life. This is the one horse that taught me HOW to live. She has courage and grace under fire...and she has taught me by example. My love of horses did a juxtaposition with her, instead of the horse serving my purpose, I love her enough to make serving horses my purpose. What a difference that has made not only in my relationships with my horses, but in my everday life. What we can learn when we slow down and really LISTEN to nature. I love you girlie and I owe you more than I could ever repay! I hope we have many more years together...

Permalink Reply by Cheryl on February 5, 2010 at 4:14pm

Splash and Cheryl

Permalink Reply by Cheryl on February 5, 2010 at 4:22pm

I sure hope I age this well!

Permalink Reply by Darlene Kindle on February 2, 2011 at 6:54pm

Merimba, a flea bitten grey 19 year old Arabian mare, came into the Carolina Equine Rescue & Assistance program in July 2008. She was a
surrender through Animal Control. The owners named her Merimba, Spanish for Xylophone, her ribs showing reminded them of a
Xylophone. As I was walking her off the trailer, my gut told me she was pregnant. I asked my vet to palpate her and sure enough, she was
5 months pregnant and very emaciated.

On March 19, 2009, Merimba went into labor. She had a very hard delivery, was thrashing about, and in a lot of pain. The vet was called
and had to help Merimba with the delivery. A very large colt was delivered. The colt would not stand on his own. We also tried to get him
to nurse, he would not suck. The vet told us he had “Dummy Foal Syndrome”. He was trying to stand but kept banging into the wall and
falling down; he was walking sideways with his tongue hanging out. We did manage to milk Merimba and tube fed the colt her colostrum. It
was horrible, we never heard of “Dummy Foal Syndrome”. My husband, John, stayed with the colt and I immediately went to the
Internet to find out everything I could about the condition. Two of the major symptoms were difficulty breathing and convulsions, which
he did not have, everything else pointed toward his condition. A few hours past, we called the vet again to come and tube him for a
feeding. We had to make a decision to either euthanize him or take the baby & Merimba to NC State Veterinary Hospital in Raleigh, NC.
Raleigh was 3 hours away and we were not sure he would survive the trip. He did not have the two major symptoms of the condition; we
had to give this little guy a chance to live.

Our friend Donnie offered to trailer us to Raleigh. We had to move quickly for fear of dehydration with both Merimba and baby. The vet
called the hospital and informed them that we were on our way and filled them in with both of their conditions. I wanted to name him
before we arrived at the hospital. Merimba is Spanish so I thought it would be appropriate for her son to have a Spanish name also. A
friend gave us the name “Pelear” which means “ A Fighter” in Spanish.

We pulled into the parking lot of the hospital; Donnie and I were amazed vet’s, tech’s and students moved quickly to the trailer. I walked
Merimba off the trailer, Donnie tried to walk Pelear off, but he collapsed. Donnie picked him up and carried him into the hospital. There
was a staff of 13 working on them. The hospital staff was so organized, professional and caring. Donnie & I were able to be right there
with both of them. Merimba was placed in a shoot right in front of Pelear, she could see him at all times. IV’s were hooked up, vitals were
taken, blood was drawn, a permanent feeding tube was inserted into Pelear. They were then taken to their stalls which were separate
but Merimba was able to see her baby. The staff at the hospital took every precaution to prevent the baby from getting hurt again in the
stall; they padded the walls and actually had a helmet for Pelear if needed. Merimba was not doing well, she would not take her eyes off
him. She was starting to stress slightly, they gave her some banamine and I was able to brush her. We were still not out of the woods.
Merimba was severely bruised internally and had not expelled the placenta, Pelear needed to start sucking and drinking on his own.

It was feeding time. Merimba was milked. Pelear was given a mixture of mom’s milk, foal-lac and goat’s milk. The tech’s kept a small
amount of milk in a pan and the remainder went into the feeding tube. Pelear had to learn how to suck the milk, with a little work he
started slurping the milk from the pan. It was tiring for him but he did it; his first step toward recovery. Merimba was really stressing
now and not drinking water. She was given IV fluids.

They were both in the hospital for 5 days. The bill was over $3,000.00. Friends were called, email's were sent everywhere from New
York to Florida. Donations started coming into the hospital. In less than 3 days over $3,000.00 was donated toward the care of Merimba
& Pelear. It was amazing I just couldn't believe it. There were so many folks that wanted to help by donating and praying. John and I are
so blessed by what the horse community has done for CERA. Without their donations, support and prayers we just could not have done it
on our own.

It was time for Merimba & Pelear to come home. Again, Donnie offered to drive to Raleigh and bring them home. Pelear still would have a
long recovery ahead of him. Merimba was still not drinking. I know this mare and she needed to come home to start her recovery.

We made the trip home safely, Merimba & Pelear were stalled together and she was starting to relax more, but still not drinking. I gave
her a mash of grain and I continued to milk her for Pelear, giving him mom’s milk through his feeding tube with foal-lac and goat’s milk.
Pelear was doing much better not banging into the walls.

The next morning we were able to turn them both out for a short time. Merimba was so happy, started running and flagging her tail.
Pelear was also taking little runs. Merimba went to the water troft and drank herself full. She was home, feeling better and recovering
nicely.

Everyday Pelear makes progress, drinking more and more on this own, walking straighter and not banging the walls. The feeding tube was
removed; he hated it hanging out of his nose. He started munching on hay and we started him on pelleted foal-lac.

Today he walks on a lead rope, loves going outdoors everyday, on junior grain, picks his feet up for the farrier etc. He is your typical little
colt, so loving and beautiful. I questioned myself for a long time whether we made the right decision to give him a chance at life, I no
longer think that way, we made the right
decision.

Pelear is nearly 5 months old. Saturday, August 8, 2009 we were bringing horses in after night turnout. All the horses in her pasture
were not at the gate, this was not normal. All the mares and Pelear surrounded Merimba underneath a tree. Merimba had deep cuts on
both hind legs and was toe touching her left. She would not walk. We did manage to get her in the wash bay, cold hosed her and called the
vet. At first we thought she was attacked by a predator, she was kicked by another mare. This herd gets along very well together. It
was dark and apparently one was spooked, kicked out and Merimba was in the way. Merimba had a fractured splint bone with deep
laceration’s. Merimba was bandaged, given penicillin, bute, ulcer guard are gentimyicin.

The following Monday I placed calls to find out the cost of surgery for her. Her splint bone has shattered at the top. I had to consider
her age, quality of life, her son and the cost of surgery.

Monday evening I gave Merimba her penicillin injection. Almost immediately she started having a seizure. She was thrashing in her stall,
we did manage to get Pelear out safely. When Merimba did calm down her leg was hanging, bloody and very painful. She had an open
compound fracture. We had no choice but to put our precious Mom, Merimba to sleep.

She was so special to John and I. Our hearts are breaking and the tears are pouring. She will always have a special place in our hearts and
she will be so missed. She has crossed the rainbow bridge but has given John and I a part of herself to raise and love, a beautiful healthy
baby colt, Pelear. It has been nearly 2 months since we lost Merimba, Mama. Approximately 3 weeks after Pelear lost his Mom, I
noticed that he was acting different in the pasture. He was not playing, running, he was just standing and eating all day like the other
horses. We have mostly aged or blind horses that have no interest in playing with a young colt. One option I had was to place Pelear with
one of the mini's they are 5 & 10 years old. But that meant I was taking them away from Bonnie who is totally blind. They are Bonnie's
eyes and help her to find the water, shade or the gate. The older mares would make sure he was safe but that was all they would do for
him. I contacted my vet and talked to other veteran horse people. Pelear was depressed and they agreed with my thought. OK, what are
we going to do.

I contacted Teri Stemper of Dream Equine Therapy Center. Her organization helps PMU & Nurse Mare Foals. I explained our situation
with Pelear, sent several email's back and forth, educated ourselves on Nurse Mare Foals and decided to try and adopt one of the babies.
Teri did have a little filly that needed a home. She did have a laceration above her eye that have to be stitched twice due to her rubbing
it open, and was sedated twice. This little filly was very scared and cautious of people. She would barely let us touch her. She was so
scared and did not trust people at all. We brought the filly to the farm, turned Pelear and her out in the pasture together. They
immediately started running, playing and whinnying for each other. Pelear was so happy.

John has named her Farrah. Her color looks very much like Pelear and she was born 3 days before Pelear. She now lets us groom her,
leads very nicely, and wants attention. She has helped Pelear tremendously and Pelear has helped her. They are best buddies now. We
take walks with them, watch them play in the pasture together and we let them know that they are both loved. I truly believe that God
had a plan for John & I, and this plan has fallen into place. I thank God everyday for allowing me to have the ability to help the neglected,
abused & unwanted horses.

Attachments:

• Merimba & Pelear 3-26-09 004.jpg, 1.8 MB
• Merimba-Pelear 7-12-09 011.jpg, 72 KB
• 019.JPG, 479 KB

Permalink Reply by Ashley R on February 2, 2011 at 7:42pm

Getting my gelding Shadow was a complete surprise to me. Ever since I was 2 I ALWAYS wanted a horse. I got him in 2006, when I was 11. I was told I was going to start riding this new horse at my old coaches stable.....So I was all excited because I was going to show my grandparents this new horse I was gonna ride/show. I'd go to her barn and play with her horses and I remember when Shadow arrived, he was the most stunning Morgan I ever saw! I wanted to ride him and she always said maybe after he was broke, because when she got him he was 4.  I walked in the barn and my old coach was standing their with Shadow in the cross ties and he had a ribbon on him. She asked me if I knew why he had a ribbon on him.....I replied that I thought it was His Birthday. Then she responded that no......he was mine! Then next thing you know we are all crying and It was the happiest day of my life! Shadow was still green broke w/t/c and he was 5 now but I was ecstatic!! I ran around the farm with him in tow all day. I got to help train him and the first year we owned him I took him to a lil Schooling show and came 1st out 3 in Showmanship and I was ecstatic. Now that Shadow is 9 (going to be 10) We have done MANY things together and I love him to pieces! He goes Hunter and Western. He used to jump and he has Evented and done Dressage and of course we remained doing Showmanship!!! Together we have gotten  Versitile Morgan Medallion Award - Silver level!! I hope to have many years still with this amazing horse that I can call my own! He was my first horse and will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart.

Permalink Reply by V on February 3, 2011 at 11:47am

In January of 2009 I had recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis after a long battle that had left me unable to do much more than get on my old Morgan and sit on him. In college I had dreamed of getting another horse someday, but after all that had happened that seemed unlikely between my lack of ability and the financial struggles that illness brings; I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to really ride again.
Then I heard that a horse I had first met when I was a barn manager in college was for sale and had been for quite some time, we had named Strider. I still don’t know what made me go try him out- there was no way I could afford him and even getting on a horse was beyond challenging for me. But I went to see him. To make things even more unlikely, I was told that many people had worked with Strider since I last saw him and that he was now considered to be possibly dangerous. I remembered the day I saw him when he came off the track though, and I remembered playing with him in the pastures and I still wanted to try him. He had always had a special personality and I remember thinking he had some of the most beautiful gaits I had ever seen.
I lunged him first, but getting on him was indescribable. It was like after so much pain, exhaustion, and fatigue it was over for the brief time I spent on Strider’s back. I left that day unsure what I could do, but I let Strider’s owner’s know I couldn’t buy him. They called me later that day and asked if I wanted to lease him. I readily agreed.
I joke now that Strider is my rehab horse. We brought each other back. He had ulcers, bad feet, and had been turned out to pasture for at least a year. I hadn’t done more than sit on a horse for over a year. That year we mostly worked on getting back in shape and learning. We showed some, but really just for fun. Then, his owners made an offer I couldn’t refuse- they gave me Strider. They said I was the first person who had been able to work with him consistently without problems. I can’t thank them enough.
Last year we started riding dressage more seriously and taking lessons. We got our first 70 at Training level. We did a regionally recognized show. I worked as a groom for one of my trainers to help cover costs and learn- something I couldn’t have dreamed of a year and a half ago. Strider helped keep me sane while my husband was deployed for training with the Air Force, which was no easy task. To top it off Strider and I earned the 2010 Open Horse and Rider of the Year at Training level for our local dressage association! I was stunned because I never dreamed we would be where we are now given all the challenges we faced.
I love Strider because he helps me through the days when I am hurting and can barely ride. I love Strider because he never fails to find a way to make me laugh- whether by begging for peeps and skittles or taking my dressage whip in his teeth and chewing on it and flinging it around he always comes up with something silly every ride. I love Strider because logically a possibly dangerous, off the track horse and someone with a painful degenerative disease shouldn’t have worked out as a team but somehow we do. I love him for his personality and quirks. And though I know there were many factors that brought me from where I was to where I am now, I know Strider helped. I love him because he is sensitive and over-dramatic, but goofy, enthusiastic, and brave. He has made me a better rider and taught me more in two years than I thought I could learn in a lifetime. He reminds me to keep trying and never give up hope because even when people weren’t fair to him he gave people another chance and I want to always give him my best because of that. I can’t fully express how special he is, but I know that he is a horse of a lifetime and I am blessed and beyond thankful to have the privilege of owning him.

 

Strider Dressage

 

Strider Jumping

 

Permalink Reply by Nicola Barnes on February 4, 2011 at 11:02am

I ride at Thandeka Stables, Melkbos, and have been wanting my own horse for years now. Eventually my mom asked Nikki (the owner of my riding school) to look out for some cool horses for me. The day after she did that, Nikki phoned my mom to say that she had a cool horse for me and that I could ride him in my lesson that day. This was all last year in March. Now, before I knew about him, I had three dreams in a row, one night after the other about the same horse. Now, my dream horses I like drawing and naming. I drew him and gave him the random name of "Zulu". As I arrived that day for the lesson I was really excited. The horse I was about to ride was an ex race horse by the name of Hlongwane. He had a nasty wound on his left hind leg. He was nervous of me at first but I talked to him and as soon as I got on his back, we had an instant bond. This horse went by the name, Mowgli. We jumped in this lesson and Mowgli refused all the time and he turned really sharp. Once, I almost fell off but he put his head up to stop me doing that. Nikki was selling him for R3000, yep. That's how bad his leg was.

I prayed that I would get this horse and I used oracle cards, very randomly, and they kept on saying I would get Mo. Then Nikki changed her mind and said we can't have him. I was really upset, but I still prayed for him and used the cards (Unicorn oracle cards!), and they kept on saying yes!

In the month june, (3 months from March) we got Mo! And guess what, the lady that looked after Mo after his racing days called him Zulu!!! Cool hey! :)

My good times are to many to count and tell, but, I'll say some: wen I did join up with Mo and rode on a loose rein. Wen I rode him with a halter for the first time. When I galloped him (by accident!) Wen I get him to follow me. Wen I stop, he stops.

Not so good times: wen Mo gallops off and refuses jumps whilst jumping!

Embarrasing times: wen Mo almost literally jumped over the moon, I shot up in the air like a rocket! But thankfully somehow managed to land on him again!!! :)

And wen I was mounting and Mo started walking as I put my foot in the stirrup. I almost mounted the air!

Permalink Reply by Nicola Barnes on February 4, 2011 at 11:11am

This is Mowgli:::