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Our Horses

We adopted 2 Thoroughbred mares from CBER (Columbia Basin Equine Rescue) in June of '06. They were feedlot horses and were at risk to go to the slaughter house. They were a pair even before we got them as they apparently came into the feedlot together. They are very attached to one another. The names the folks at CBER gave them were Hera and Hyacinth, and we just continued to use those names. And it turns out Hera was perfectly named, and Hyacinth is also pretty apt. These two girls were spoiled barn queens at some point in their lives, and it is hard to believe that anyone would let them end up at the feedlot or on some European dinner table. But that was what they faced if we did not adopt them. We are not horse people, by any means. In fact the last time I rode a horse, Nixon was still president. We were very lucky, these two girls are the most loving, patient, understanding horses. They are the perfect horses for two dimwitted newbie horse owners like us.

Hera is not fit to ride but is sound enough to be a pasture ornament. Hyacinth is not only sound to ride, she is soooo patient with me. I have ridden her bareback with nothing more than a halter, and she is simply the best. Aside from Hyacinth's naughty habit called cribbing, neither of these girls has any behavioral problems. They are sweet, laid back, easy going, happy girls who seem to love their new lives. At first they were upset by the lack of a "real" barn when the fall turned wet and cold. But they quickly adapted and now they seldom even bother with the covered shelter they have access to.

On April 5th, 2007 we added another horse to our "herd." Westly is a one eyed 9 yr old gelding. We think he is a Thoroughbred or Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse cross. In fact he looks so much like Hera, it is hard to tell them apart sometimes. Westley blinded himself on an olive branch of all things. He was a 4H horse before his accident, so he is ridable. And his temperament is very much like our two girls, though he is much more of the prankster and puppy dog than our two dignified ladies. It took all of maybe a half hour for Westley to fit right in with the girls. And after a couple weeks he was running the show around here. Like "The Girls," Wes is as sweet as they come. But he does like to invade your personal space a lot more than they do. Wes loves to rub his face on you and drape himself all over you. He likes it so much he tends to come running over like a puppy dog to initiate it. "The Girls" will allow hugging and touching if you insist, and once they do it is clear they really love it, but they would never lower themselves by initiating that sort of thing or appearing as if they needed you. Well, not unless you had some yummy treats at any rate.

We haven't ridden Wes yet, but we are told he is or at least was very ridable. We'll have to see how he does with only the one eye. For his first ride we figure it's best to get an experienced rider to work with him. No need adding a dummy in the saddle to his limited vision, at least at first. Carole has really taken a liking to Wes. His outgoing personality puts her at ease and his affectionate nature has really won her over. If he is ridable, I do believe he will probably be "her" horse. Which is fine because Hyacinth and I get along just great.

Well, three just wasn't a good number, we always had an "odd horse out." Generally it was Hyacinth. So we decided to add a fourth horse to our little herd. Short drum roll please...
Introducing Valley who may well be the most beautiful horse in the universe (okay I admit it I am a tiny bit biased). Valley's bloodlines are as good as her looks too. Granddaughter of Seattle Slew, goes back to Bold Ruler and Native Dancer a couple times on each side. For those who are race horse aficionados, Bold Ruler sired Secretariat (yes I did have to go look that up) so Valley is related to 3 of the most famous race horses on the planet, Seattle Slew, Secretariat and Native Dancer. And boy doesn't she look like it. I'll post some photos of what she looked like when she was rescued off the feedlot later but for now just soak up these images. Ain't that some Thoroughbred?

Update 12/24/07

When I went out to feed the horses today I found one of them, Hyacinth, dead. I am not sure exactly what happened, but it looks like she got herself tangled up in a gate and some fencing. The other three seem to be taking it okay. My wife and I are devastated. Hy was my special girl, the only horse I rode, and my favorite. She was an amazing horse, sweet tempered, easy going, forgiving, smart. She really was exceptional. Whoever raised and trained her, did a hell of a job. But they also started with a hell of a horse. She is sorely missed, and will be for a long time to come.

America's secret shame, the war dogs of the US military

America's other secret shame - Horse slaughter for human consumption

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