I had only traveled to Nashville as a Horse Haven of TN agent/volunteer to help with this horrific rescue involving 84 starved and abused horses:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_K7lqMuRFQ&feature=related
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2009/11/neglected_horses_rescued_tennessee_112509.html
Then I saw him...Cannon County, Tennessee horse #55, a four year old, 16.1 hands high, cremello Tennessee Walking Horse Stallion. He was standing with his head down, sad blue eyes, and a nasty cough - not your picture of fine health. Between loading trailers, I would sneak down the aisle that #55 called home. Finally, I walked into his stall. He leaned over in my direction, coughed, and looked right at me. It was gut-wrenching.
On the way back to the HHT barn in Knoxville, he consumed my thoughts. As a veterinary technician for twenty years, I've learned not to bring everything home - and trust me, that's not even my nature! Nina, HHT's Executive Director, told me that she would check into his status with HSUS (the Humane Society of the United States) if I wanted her to do so....
Needless to say, I was on my way back to Nashville four days later! At the Fairgrounds, #55 was over his illness, no fever or cough, and feeling every bit like a four year old stallion! What have I done? What have I agreed to? My husband is going to kill me! (If this horse doesn't first!) But there it was again, that cool, blue look as he hopped on the trailer for the three hour ride HOME.
It was obvious that #55 had been a stall kept stud. Unlike the other Cannon County horses, he had a long, lush mane and tail. It took him over a week to leave his stall on his own. His first "room" at the new place was a 12 X 24 foot stall leading to a small 2 acre pasture with his new goat brothers, Henry and Ralphie. Grass was a new experience, as was mud, the water tank and dogs. Having six dogs, it was going to be very important for #55 to "play well" with them!
After a careful re-feeding program when his weight and health were stable, a small "procedure" was completed before Spring arrived and the mares started coming into heat. Hormones gone, it was time to see what kind of education the big boy had. Ground manners were very nice, bridling was no problem, and saddling he seemed okay with. Knowing my limitations, this is where the professional comes in! We found a fabulous trainer in Tellico Plains, TN - Rayna Granger. Within one day, Rayna called and told me I had a very willing partner and a diamond in the rough. He knew some of the basics - probably trained "old school" Walking horse style (up and down a barn isle to prep for shows). And within thirty days, we were well on the way to becoming a trail super star! Two weeks later, we headed to Middle Tennessee for a four day camping/ride. AMAZING!
We even met one of the Cannon County deputies who helped in the case. This big, burly man got tears in his eyes as he stroked #55's head. He said he was so happy that this horse was going to have a happy ending.
And he will. Number 55 has changed my life. I've already learned so much in just seven months. I can't wait to see what our future brings, including many, many competitive trail rides around the Southeast we hope!
Oh, and his name? Number 55 is now named after a Jimmy Buffett song - "Licensed to Chill" aka "Chilly". Those Cannon County horses certainly earned their license to chill!
Eagle came into Horse Haven in 2007, along with several other horses from a horrific neglect situation in Northeast Tennessee. He was a walking skeleton when he arrived. This was a far cry from how Eagle should have ever been treated. He is a 16.2 hand Thoroughbred gelding with stellar bloodlines, but was not a consistent winner on the racetrack. He was rehomed from the racetrack and ended up in the horrible situation from which he was saved by Horse Haven.
Here is a picture of what Eagle looked like after a few weeks of careful re-feeding at Horse Haven:
A volunteer at Horse Haven became very attached to Eagle and somehow knew he was the horse for her. Who could resist such a face?
More than 15 months after Eagle first came to Horse Haven, he was finally released by the court after his previous owner's animal cruelty case resulted in a conviction. Eagle could FINALLY go to his forever home with the volunteer that first felt a connection with him. With good nutrition, he filled out to look like this:
Eagle has been trail-riding and is a great fearless trail horse too. He has also gave cross-country jumping a try and he loves it! Sometimes he may be a little bored with small jumps so he has to jump BIG!
He learned about crossing water for the first time and decided that a cold creek on a hot day is a great thing!
Lately Eagle has been practicing dressage. He always needs something new to challenge his smart Thoroughbred brain. So far, he has succeeded at everything he has tried.
While much of Eagle's life was uncertain and cruel, he now has a happy, lifetime partnership where he is pampered and appreciated. Maybe you can find your "diamond in the rough" at Horse Haven too!
When the three first arrived they were almost wild. There were terrified of people, horrible to lead and they loved to bite and nibble. Gradually, they came to love and respect the Horse Haven volunteers and became quite amicable little guys.
PJ, Stormy, and Banjo investigating volunteer Hannah Rose:
PJ checking out volunteer Ashley's flat friend:
Unfortunately, they also developed the ability to become escape artists and liked to break out of their pasture to get into the pastures with the big horses. After doing this a few times, one of the big horses had enough of their shenanigans and kicked PJ! The kick broke PJ’s leg right below his shoulder. Anyone who knows horses can tell you that a broken leg is usually a death sentence for a horse as surgery is expensive and recovery is difficult, if not impossible, as horses need all of their legs to support their weight.
Unbelievably, an anonymous donation came in the mail to HHT in the exact amount that the University of Tennessee Vet Hospital was going to charge HHT for PJ’s surgery, $1,000! Because PJ is a pony, he has a better build to support surgery and healing on a gimpy leg, so off PJ went for surgery!
When PJ returned to the HHT barn a few days later, he had his entire leg in a cast. His rehab and recuperation included months of stall rest with hand walking, then months of limited turnout in a dry lot. Finally, after quite a long time, the doctor determined that PJ was completely healed and he could return to his normal, happy pony life!
PJ and his cast on stall rest:
PJ has had an exciting life since being cleared from his injury. In October, PJ dressed up as a mer-pony in an underwater themed stall at Boo at the Barn. He didn’t forget his jailbird ways, however, and was able to slide under his stall guard and go for a walk around the event, saying hello to all of the kids. Fortunately he was found by the volunteers and brought back to his stall before he caused any more trouble.
PJ and volunteer Sue greeting guests at Boo at the Barn:
This past May, PJ reinvented his acting skills and became a beach bum in the stall decorating contest at the Spring Fling. PJ was quite the little ham, sporting giant sunglasses and a flower lei.
HHT has also found out that PJ is a good little lead line pony. His shoulder injury seems to have had no lasting effect on his ability to cart youngsters around on his back.
