The Horses
In Memory
Looking at Patience for the first time we were shocked. We had never seen such an emaciated animal ever. Every rib showed, her backbone was protruding, her eyes were like aliens with deep sunken sockets. The kind vet felt we could save her but did blood work to see what damage had been done to her major organs. Amazingly there was no damage. She felt she was within a week or two of dying without our intervention. Patience was so weak when she arrived the vet had to give her several shots to give her the strength to stand. She said it was like going through rhinoceros hide as there was absolutely no collagen or fat left. She was one tough Arab. We started her slowly on beet pulp and good feed and vitamins and within a few months she gained around 400 pounds. She was the gentlest horse we have ever met.
Her best friend was Gracie, another very gentle Arab who was also a starvation case. Patience taught us so much.
Tribute to Spirit
Every horse that has come into our lives is because of a very special horse, “Willing Spirit.” After years of abuse at the racetrack, and 14 years of neglect we were amazed how she immediately loved and trusted a young girl that had shown her kindness.
This pathetic equine was first noticed standing in a weedy field, head hanging so low that her nose was almost touching the ground. Not knowing much about horses, it was obvious that she had given up on life, and we could not ignore her pain.
We later were told that she was to be sent for slaughter with a few of her friends, but she was too thin and sickly. She was left to die in the field. All her friends that she had spent years huddling with were gone. She was totally alone. Permission was given for 11-year-old Courtenay (who had dreamed of owning her own horse) to “befriend” this pathetic creature.
She stood like a statue the first time in years that she was groomed. For over an hour Courtenay brushed the burrs and knots out of her mane and tail. Spirit adored the attention. Her teeth were floated so she could once again eat hay. How she loved her twice a day meals. She stood at the fence waiting for her special friend to visit daily.
Within a short time, her colour changed from a pale sorrel colour to a lovely bay. After she had gained several hundred pounds, she was brought “home.” She had gone for years without shelter, and how she loved her own little barn. The first time Courtenay put a saddle on her, Spirit hardly seemed to breathe as she was so proud. She had not been ridden for 14 years and when Courtenay got on her back she was absolutely regal. Spirit and Courtenay had a very special bond. Spirit would watch for Courtenay to come home from school. She enjoyed Courtenay riding her bareback and they would play together. It was very touching to see this very loving, trusting relationship grow daily. Because of our Willing Spirit, we are inspired to continue to perpetuate her legacy….
Horses Presently Residing Here
There presently are 11 horses residing here. B.J.. is a 20 plus Morgan who had no place to go as his owner's lost their farm.
Baddick is a 4 year old Standardbred who could not be used for racing as he was injured. He is a gentle boy who has thrived here. Gracie is a gentle Arab from Alberta in her 20's who is permanently lame. She was a starvation case used for breeding. She was pregnant and had a weanling at her side when she was rescued. J.D. is a TB mare approximately 16 years of age from Alberta who has emotional and trust issues with strangers. Sophie is also an Alberta horse around 20 years of age who has been returned twice for reasons not her fault. Baby Mist is a mixture of a few breeds and totally devoted to her mother, Gracie. and cannot be separated. Cruiser is a 20 plus Quarter Horse who was once a show horse but is lame due to navicular. Desiree is an Appy pony around 10 years of age who had a very sick owner who could no longer keep her as she is an escape artist. Mollly is part Clydesdale around 9 years old and is the "wild child" who is always on watch for anything unusual in or around the barn or pastures. She usually turns the lights on in the barns every night as she does not seem to like the dark.
