Brave New Horizons

Whisper was not improving. In fact, she was worse. Hobbling again as if she could hardly bear to move her right leg. I brought water to where she stood and she happily drained a bucket in minutes. It was clear that she wasn't getting enough water because she was choosing not to walk up the hill to drink.

As she drank I looked over at Star and saw an injury that must have been ugly a few days earlier.

It wraps up and around the ear and included punctures at the poll and into her mane.

I was at a loss. I was hurt, for them. I was failing to provide the best I could for the horses I was responsible for. I was trying, my intent was there, but I was not. My husband and I talked it out and came to the decision that if we could not find suitable boarding and stable arrangements for Whisper by week's end, she would go to a home that was open to taking her and providing what I was not currently doing on this pasture.

That same day, Pirate's new owner contacted me with a shoulder injury that likely needed surgery. She would be unable to take and start Pirate the way she wanted to and had to pass on him. I had no idea what to do. I kept looking at barns, I kept calling, I kept contacting everyone I knew. Something HAD to be out there. We had always intended to adopt out Promise's foal but now I was looking to find a way to safely provide for all three.

A farm named Amazing Grace finally got in touch and worked out a situation that I could do, though they only had room for Whisper. She would have a stall of her own with turn-out on whatever schedule she needed. Triple Crown Senior feed on site. Riding rings. A small size operation with OTTB experience that would let me work for board.

I went out that evening to meet with the owner and looked at the horses. All clean, bright, and relaxed. The general feel of the whole place was a calm working feel.  Speaking with the owner she asked questions of me while I pelted her with my own. We ironed out arrangements. Whisper would be moved the very next day.

Friday I picked up the farm's trailer, along with a friend and we headed to Whisper. Whisper was still painfully lame and stumbled slowly towards the open trailer. She then proceeded to fight us for 2 full hours in 90 degree temperatures.

We tried everything. We let her get used to it. Pressure to move forward and giving her release when she did so. Grain. Treats, Walking out and back. Placing her foot up in the trailer. Blocking the sides of the trailer creating a barrier so she couldn't back up and swing around (though somehow she still managed to). When she started showing air between her front feet and the ground while yanking us off our feet out of the trailer, we added the stud chain. When that failed to produce forward motion, we took a break. Finally I got back at her head and she decided she was done fighting and simply walked right in.

My first time hauling a horse I was very glad no one got behind me, pretty sure I never got over 40 mph.

Arriving at the new farm, Whisper checked out the sights and smells. She settled right in to her new stall and she began happily munching hay. She was more comfortable already.

She was assessed that evening and I got a call from the farm owner that she felt like epsom soaks and bute would help her as would a farrier evaluation. We went over Whisper's feeding schedule and her current body condition versus where we wanted her to be. She had dropped about 50 pounds in the last week with the pain and stress she was feeling in her legs.

Today, thank goodness, the abscess ruptured and brought Whisper quite a lot of relief. She is getting along with all of the horses she has met so far.

The plan is to get her started on hoof supplement and have the farrier evaluate her after healing has taken place (he can't lift the other feet when one is bad). It may be that she is a horse who, for now at least, can not go barefoot. She may simply need the distance between her hoof sole and the ground that a light shoe could provide while months of growth occur. The hoof specialist before was unwilling to consider that as an option, that and outright was wrong about many things including founder.

Meanwhile, I had been in touch with a friend who wanted Pirate and fit all of my criteria for him. When they asked after him, they mentioned that they wanted Promise too.

I said, "No. No way. Pirate can go to you after he is weaned."

Though she could give Promise safety and a great home, I loved Promise too much. Still with Whisper at another location and the injuries piling up at Promise's current location, I wasn't doing right by her. I couldn't even get out to see her more than twice a week for visits. Promise needs a safe place, with daily attention, to retire happily. I decided I would let her go with Pirate.

It breaks my heart to say, next week Promise and Pirate leave for new horizons all their own, together.

They go with a security blanket though, they go with a promise that if they ever change hands again they come to me first. If they are ever in trouble they come to me. They also come with a vow to update often with pictures and info on their well being, including a few personal visits through the year for the kids and I to see them first hand.

God give me strength to say good-bye.