The risk you face of losing interest in your horse can be predicted with the answer to two questions: Where is your horse stalled? And how frequently do you interact with or ride your horse?
There's a low risk of losing interest if you keep your horse on your property and you work regularly with him. The risk increases if he's stalled at a boarding facility and you have little personal interaction with him.
With that in mind, here's a story about a horse that came into our lives.
A New Career
When people come to our farm, one horse who often gets noticed is Ace, a 15.1-hand-high, sleek chestnut gelding whose coat shines like a new copper penny in the sun. He has two stockings on his rear legs, but it's the unique white mitten marking on his face that attracts comments.
Ace is a well-bred horse. Born Absolute Charmer on February 17, 1990, he was sired by a straight Russian-bred Arabian chestnut stallion out of a coal-black American Saddlebred mare. As a Breeding Entry in the Arabian Horse Association Breeder's Sweepstakes program, Ace's owner/breeder wanted to produce a Nominated Sire. The horse was destined to be a sweepstakes star.
During his first two years, Ace developed an impressive halter resume. His look and way of moving (sweep-snap with air), made him an absolute charmer in the show ring. His breeder was anticipating the colt's success as a breeding stallion; but the veterinarian proclaimed Ace a cryptorchid (a horse with one or two retained testicles). His future as a Nominated Sire ended, and his owner had no place in his barn for a teaser stallion.
Ace came to our farm as a rescue of sorts. Once his condition had been confirmed, our boy was looking for a new place of employment. With his Sweepstake Certificate available, we set out to find Absolute Charmer a new career.
Our farm has always been known as a place where horses could be evaluated for trail riding. Vanessa enjoys finding new situations for what she calls "trail diamonds in the rough."
Ace was given to us with open papers and no expectations. We realized that the cost of gelding him would be upwards of one thousand dollars, but he had an exceptional temperament, and we were ready to help this horse in need.
Late that summer, a couple from the inner-city of Niagara Falls who owned a Quarter Horse pony was referred to us as potential boarding clients. They were excited about their new interest in horses and trail riding, and wanted to learn more. They drove out to visit nearly every weekend, and before too long became interested in Ace as a second horse.
Vanessa explained the work that would be needed to refine Ace as a trail horse and the cost of the cryptorchid surgery. They understood the costs and realized opportunity to own this well-bred horse. Soon, the papers were transferred with a one year boarding agreement as consideration.
Through the winter, the couple honed their horsemanship skills through lessons. Vanessa began training Ace and was able to get him under saddle with relative ease.
As the months passed, our friendship grew. It was wonderful to see them enjoying their horses as a couple.
While riding Ace, Vanessa discovered a horse that was not only willing to lead, but also exceptionally trail savvy. Even more important, Ace had a low standing heart rate, and great metabolic recoveries - qualities found in competitive distance riding horses. With Ace's Sweepstakes status, we all started to see his money-winning potential.
Ace had a new career.
