Astro and his owner equine dentist Nicole Graham has been in the news all over the world this week after becoming stuck in mud on the beach in Geelong, south of Melbourne, Australia.
His dramatic rescue from the incoming tide has warmed hearts everwhere and that is why we've made Astro our Horse of the Week.
Read the Mail OnLine story by Richard Shears
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WHO WAS BLACK JACK?
Well, he was probably in our time, depending upon the age of the readers here. But most of you at least will have seen a photo of JFK’s funeral procession. In those photos, you always see that marvelous riderless black horse who carried a saddle with boots turned backwards in the stirrups. This magnificent horse was Black Jack.
Black Jack is the horse following the caisson
WHERE DID HE COME FROM?
The origins of Black Jack seem to be a bit muddled. They know when he was foaled, January 19th, 1947. But, they don’t really know his breeding. Most agree he was probably a mix of Morgan and Quarterhorse.
He was purchased by the US Army Quartermaster on November 22, 1953. Black Jack had the honor of being the last of the Quartermaster–issue horses branded with the Army’s U.S. brand (on the left shoulder) and his Army serial number 2V56 (on the left side of his neck).
WHAT IS A CAPARISONED HORSE?
I asked the same thing.
The Caparisoned horse is the riderless horse who follows the caissons (6 horses pulling the cart which carries the casket of the fallen soldier). The caparisoned horse represents the soldier who will no longer ride in the brigade. The caparisoned horse wears the cavalry saddle, the sword and backwards boots in the stirrups, symbolizing the end of his tenure. If you watch any footage of military funerals, you will see this horse.
Black Jack - with his famous white star
After Black Jack retired, “Sgt.York” carried on this tradition. However, there is a huge time gap between when Black Jack retired and when York came into service. I couldn’t find which horse was used in the interim.
“Sergeant York” was formerly known as “Allaboard Jules”, a racing standardbred gelding. He was renamed (in honor of famous WWI soldier Alvin C. York) when he was accepted into the military in 1997. He served as the riderless horse in President Reagan’s funeral procession, walking behind the caisson bearing Reagan’s flag-draped casket.
He was foaled in 1991, sired by Royce and out of the mare Amtrak Collins sired by Computer. He is a descendant of the great racing stallions Albatross, Tar Heel and Adios.
Sergeant York in Ronald Reagan's funeral procession
HOW DID BLACK JACK BECOME THE CAPARISONED HORSE?
Well, this is very interesting… Black Jack became the caparisoned horse because he refused to do anything else. He was not suitable for riding, he wouldn’t pull anything and he refused to parade. Exasperated, they sent him off to do a funeral procession as the caparisoned horse (riderless horse in the procession). The only thing Black Jack had going for him at this point was his beauty and the fact that he was black (which is the desired color of a caparisoned horse). In his first stint as a caparisoned horse, Black Jack failed again. He was awfully mannered and failed to behave. Black Jack absolutely refused to flat walk. He pranced and danced and threw his head. He was described as “uncontrollable”.
BLACK JACK sort-of standing still...
The Army made a full apology to the family involved but the family responded that the fire in that horse equaled the fire in the loved one they were burying. To them, Black Jack was a symbol of the life that had been.
So, his job was secured. From that day forward, Black Jack , with his famous white star, walked in over 1000 funeral processions and worked for 24 years.
THE NAME
Black Jack got his name, basically, because he was Black. The reference to Black Jack was for General John J. (Black Jack) Perishing, Supreme Commander of the American Expeditionary Force in World War I who was called “Blackjack.” Somewhere I read about Black Jack’s original name but I cannot find it. Aargh. I was something silly like Tippy or something. I’m kinda glad that they changed it.
Handsome photo
BLACK JACK STORIES
As is standard in the military, officers change jobs every 18 months. So, Black Jack had a new handler every 18 months. This was somewhat of an issue because Black Jack was not an easy horse to care for, as you could imagine. Pete Duda was one of Black Jack’s favorites, and the pair walked together in more than 200 funerals. Duda was reluctant to ride Black Jack, but he was completely dedicated to the horse’s care. He wouldn’t let anyone else near him or his equipment.
Always messing with his handler...
Another bit of trivia… Black Jack was always a hot horse, and he didn’t mellow with age. He was fine when he was walking, though he often pranced beside his walker, but when the procession halted he kicked and circled, displaying his impatience. While he eventually got used to the typical noises of a funeral, he never was able to deal with the cannon salute. I don’t really blame him on the cannon salute part…
“The media coverage of Kennedy’s funeral brought hordes of school children to Fort Myer after their teachers realized that Black Jack was a national treasure. At first they came in small groups, but eventually hundreds of children visited the barns so they could see the horses and pet Black Jack. He seemed to love the children. Visitors often asked for one of Black Jack’s horseshoes as souvenirs.”
Nancy Schado, a nice woman who lived in the area, began visiting Black Jack – and the other horses in the regiment – fairly regularly. She baked special goodies for the men and the horses. Upon one visit, she brought butter pecan cake for everyone. And, to her surprise, Black Jack went crazy for it. So, she never brought anything else for Black Jack and was dubbed, “Black Jack’s Mother”.
An early photo of Black Jack
JFK’S FUNERAL
This was written so nicely, I cut and pasted it.
Even though Duda was Black Jack’s favorite, it was Arthur Carlson who would lead Black Jack in Kennedy’s funeral.
On Sunday, Nov. 24, he led Black Jack behind the caisson on the three-mile walk through the cemetery, over the Memorial Bridge, and through the city to Pennsylvania Avenue. The only trouble the unit had was pausing every so often for Black Jack to catch up. When the group reached the Treasury Building, the right rear wheel of the caisson became stuck in a gutter grate. The wheel was so stuck that the caisson dragged the grate a number of yards, which unnerved all the horses, including Black Jack.
When the unit finally arrived at the White House, Black Jack was nervous and wouldn’t stand still. He danced and fidgeted all the way to the Capitol. Because of protocol, Arthur wasn’t able to speak to the horse. After escorting Kennedy’s coffin to the Capitol Building, the caisson unit returned to the stables for the night.
On Monday, they headed back to the Capitol Building to escort Kennedy’s casket again. Black Jack was wild during the procession to the White House, and Arthur was afraid he was going to lose hold of him. At one point, Black Jack stomped down on Arthur’s toe so hard he was sure it was broken, but he couldn’t even bend down to rub it, or show any emotion at all due to the television cameras and witnesses.
Despite his antics, the media carried his image all over the world, and the beauty of his role in Kennedy’s funeral, as well as his display of spirit, touched the American people. Jacqueline Kennedy herself was one of many who became admirers of Black Jack.
On Nov. 27, Jacqueline informed the Secretary of the Army that she wanted to buy Black Jack when he was retired. Her request was acknowledged, and she later received Black Jack’s caparison, which included his saddle, bridle, saddle blanket, sword, boots and spurs.
Black Jack being bad during JFK's funeral. His handler could not reprimand him or use any voice cues during the event.
OTHER DISTINCTIONS
Black Jack was the first choice in monumental funerals. Even though he was horribly misbehaved and always a challenge, he was everyone’s first request. Along with the over 1000 funerals he attended at Arlington, Black Jack had the honor of marched in the funerals of presidents Herbert Hoover and Lyndon B. Johnson, as well as that of General Douglas MacArthur.
RETIREMENT
As Black Jack grew older, the years of marching on blacktop evolved into arthritis and issues with his front feet. So, Black Jack was retired on June 1, 1973 at the age of 27.
24 years of service
BLACK JACK’S 29TH BIRTHDAY
I found it interesting that Richard Nixon wrote this about Black Jack on the horse’s 29th birthday:
“Black Jack has been a poignant symbol of our nation’s grief on many occasions over the years. Citizens in mourning felt dignity and purpose conveyed, a simpler yet deeper tribute to the memory of those heroic ‘riders’ who have given so much for our nation. Our people are grateful to Black Jack for helping us bear the burden of sorrow during difficult times.”
DEATH
Black Jack’s health deteriorated badly in his final year. His arthritis worsened and his kidneys and liver began to fail.
Because Black Jack held a prominent position in the Army, the veterinarian, Capt. John Burns, had to go up the chain of command to the Department of the Army to receive official permission for Black Jack’s euthanasia.
He died after 29 years of military service on Feb. 6, 1976, and was laid to rest at Fort Myer. He was buried with full military honors, only the second horse in U.S. history to receive such an honor.
Upon his death, Black Jack was cremated. Tne ashes were placed in an urn, then conveyed by the funeral procession and buried buried near the flag pole at Summerall Field. A monument was erected that is visited often.
His final resting spot
Black Jack's monument
BOOK
I found this book about Black Jack on Amazon. It has 5 stars so it looks to be a good one! Here is the link.
Click to see the Book on Amazon
BREYER HORSE
I found it lovely that Breyer memorialized him…
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We first meet The Comet in the 1981 book Eventer's Dream by Caroline Akrill when Elaine applies for a job with the Fanes:
"This is the Comet," Nigella said. "He's a bolter."
Bolter or not, The Comet presented a fine picture standing four square on the cobbles. Somehow it didn't seem to matter that his coat was streaked with yellow and the top of his tail resembled a scrubbing brush."We've tried everything to improve his braking system," Nigella said. "Martingales, gag snaffles, twisted bits and check reins, but nothing makes any difference. He just sets his neck and away he goes." Eventers's Dream by Caroline Akrill
In hindsight we should realise that he was to become an important horse character in The Eventer's Trilogy as he is one of the few horses named. Most of the other horses go by discription eg. the old bay mare, the black horse who never stood still and the mare who sometimes slips a stifle.
At the end of Eventer's Dream Elaine prevents The Comet from being sold by agreeing to buy him from the Fanes with the money she would have earned if they had paid her. (In other words she takes him in lieu of wages.)
But it's in A Hoof in the Door that The Comet takes a starring role. Our would- be eventer Elaine has her potential event horse and The Fanes are trying to raise money for professonal training by competing in all sorts of equestrian events including a Point to Point with The Comet which he wins!
The Comet's prize money goes towards the purchase of a saddle for Legend (Elaine's potential eventer) which is purchased from Lala Thornapple a retired Olympic eventer. Lala Thornapple is sadly confused and suffers somekind of dementia, she believes that her horses are still in the stables despite the fact that they were sold a number of years ago. Elaine and the Fanes are given a tour of the stables where they are introduced to (the now imaginary) Genesis, Lala's Olympic eventer.
When Legend is injured in an accident Elaine decides to ride The Comet in a 2 day event and training begins in earnest. Everyone is amazed by his brillance and Elaine begins to have suspicions about the horses' past.
It's only at the end of the event when Lala Thornapple "hurled herself at The Comet's lowered and dripping head, clutching wildly at him with her crippled, twisted hands. "Genesis!" she cried, "I knew it was you the minute I saw you! I Knew it!" that the truth comes out "The Comet is Genesis" the Olympic eventer.
It transpires that he was sold, along with all Lala's horses by her husband whilst she was having surgery on her hands. Being a very strong horse Genesis was sold on and eventually fell into the hands of the Fanes.
At the end of the book Lala Thornapple buys Genesis back from Elaine with the provision that Lala makes a will leaving Genesis / The Comet to Elaine with enough money "to keep him in comfort until the end of his days."
Book cover image Jane Badger Books
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First read the heartbreaking background story to the birth of this little foal, orginally published on the Louisiana Horse Rescue Association website:
"On January 6th Louisiana Horse Rescue Association received an email from the Sabine Parish Humane Society asking if we could assist in removing and housing approximately 60 horses they planned to seize from a Thoroughbred breeder in Many, Louisiana. LHRA agreed to take the horses and organize removal over the weekend of January 7th and 8th. LSU Veterinary School's Equine Response Team, indluding Dr. Mirza and two vet techs, met LHRA onsite on Saturday, January 7th to assess the situation. We were not prepared for what we found. On arrival, we were taken to a barn at the rear of the approximately 250 acre farm. The barn housed a group of two year old colts as well as a handful of horses of racing age. The horses were in deplorable condition. They were severely underweight, lethargic, and stood in stalls full of urine and manure that had not been cleaned in weeks. Their manes and forelocks were full of burs. One had a wound on his forehead and old, dried blood running down his face. Two of the horses showed mild colic signs and one had significant swelling along his abdomen and into his scrotum. There was a smell around the barn. It turned out to be three horse carcasses pushed into the woods just a short distance away. Dr Mirza evaluated each horse in the barn and we moved on to the Broodmare pasture. There we found horses on the ground too weak to get up, a geldng with severe colic (who was later euthanized), carcasses of horses who had recently died, and aborted fetuses from the broodmares so undernourished they couldn't carry their foals to term. The field was scattered with bones from horses, goats, and dogs. The body condition scores for these mares averaged 1.5. Fresh graves of horses the owner had burried were found along the back of the pasture. I counted seven graves in that one pasture.
Dr. Mirza asked that I purchase tarps to cover the carcasses of the horses in that pasture. I drove to town to get as many tarps as I could find. I will never forget walking through that pasture placing tarps over those majestic beasts. I had to lift their legs and heads to secure the tarps from flying off. It was a gorgeous day, uncommon for this time of year, and all around us were natures gifts - birds, geese, trees rustling in the light breeze. It was peaceful out there, and I covered the horses quietly. I recall thinking what a stark contradiction it was - such hideuos abuse in such a gorgeous setting."
"Most of the day was spent photographing and examining each broodmare to determine which were in foal, what their immediate needs were and to record their markings and tatoo numbers to help identify them later. It was mid-afternoon when we drove the truck and LSU minivan down into the last pasture. Here we found an oddly mixed herd of older ex-racehorses, two year old fillies, and a group of yearlings. Three of the yearlings were literally shooting water out of their backsides. I've never seen such terrible diarhea. Many of the yearlings were compromised conformationally due to malnutrition. We wondered if they were worth salavaging at all - even if they lived, they would be difficult to place given their permanent issues. Dr. Mirza was concerned about disease with this pasture, and wanted to get the seven yearlings into a sheltered and confined area where they could be monitored and treated immediately. Dr. Mirza and his team, along with volunteers who had brought good hay from Lafayette (Lora Pitre and her crew), and Donna Keen herded the seven yearlings into a stock trailer. This was no easy task and we have to commend everyone involved for their efforts in that task.
It was sometime after nightfall that we decided to call it a day. The seven yearlings were safely in the barn area, yet far enough from the other horses not to be an immediate threat. We had completed the removal of five healthy horses including four that were transported by Sunshine Horses Second Chance Rescue of Mississippi and one, tiny 'Hope', who was taken to a local volunteer's residence. 'Hope' is an extremely undersized yearling who we all fell in love with immediately. We wanted to get her to safety, away from anything contagious. Two additional racing age horses were removed by a custodian assigned by the Humane Society, so a total of 7 horses left the property on Saturday. Dr. Mirza gathered the group outside of the barn on Saturday night and made a plan for Sunday.
Sunday brought a cooler day, but just as beautiful. Dr. Mirza had brought a larger team with him and work began immediately on a mare who had not done well through the night. This mare, Cayla's Playmate, was later euthanized despite the best efforts of the LSU team to save her. Transport trucks arrived bright and early and the first load of horses left for Alexandria - all broodmares. Teams worked throughout the day to pull coggins, herd horses from the final pasture, photograph and identify and finally load horses for transport to either Alexandria (broodmares), Folsom (young horses), or Lafayette (three stallions). The Sabine Parish Humane Society decided to retain custody of the 13 horses in the original barn area. LHRA removed everyone else, including 7 critical yearlings who went to Michelle Rodriguez' personal home."
And now the story of Jewel as told by Sunny, spokesperson of the Louisiana Horse Rescue Association
"Here’s a little background on Baby Jewel.
The mare pasture on Charles Ford’s farm in Many was the saddest place I have ever been. There were bones scattered about – some clearly had been there a long time, others very new. There were two carcasses in the field, about twenty head of mares (two turned out to be geldings). A couple of horses laid down colicking as we were there – two were euthanized onsite. There were fresh graves in the back, and further down into the creek, where I did not go, there was reportedly a dumping ground for more. The most heartbreaking thing we saw was a newly aborted fetus. It was chestnut with three long white stockings and a fluffy white tail. The rest you could not make out – the vultures had done their job, but the tiny little legs and that stark white tail were flawless, and the thought of them brings tears to my eyes now. There was another aborted fetus -a week or two older, just a pile of bones by this time. The mares, so starved and weak, had aborted their babies around that field. All but one mare.
It was rumored that some of the horses in the herd were jointy owned and so it was important for us to identify the mares. As we identified the vets examined each one, and palpated those they thought may be in foal. At the end of the very long weekend, only one mare was pronounced in foal. With so much uncertainty around the horse’s general health, it was decided the mares would go to a quarantine pasture in Alexandria. This mare so close to foaling though would need close supervision. She was transported to a large mare care farm in Folsom, where she could be watched night and day. She turns out to be the only mare we have not been able to identify. This mare is bay with a white sock on her right hind and white star. She does not have a lip tattoo but she’s clearly a Thoroughbred. We have no idea who the sire is."
"Late last night ‘Unknown Bay Mare’ delivered her foal. She did so on a gorgeous clear night, quietly observed by the staff at the farm. She was brought into a beautiful foaling stall full of clean straw, and given plenty of hay and fresh water. The foal weighed about forty pounds, less than half the size of a normal TB foal. The farm manager named her ‘Jewel’ immediately. Jewel took about three hours to stand on her own, and was ready to nurse within five hours (slow progress). Her dam, although a good mother, did not produce milk at first, depriving Jewel of vital nutrients. The farm acted quickly and Jewel was tube fed for that first night and all day Wednesday. By Wednesday afternoon the mare’s milk had begun to come in and Jewel was ready to receive it. When I visited at three o’clock today she had a bit of a tummy ache, was wearing a pink doggie blanket donated by the farm manager’s daughter, and had stolen everyone’s heart. Jewel’s prognosis is good, although she’s not completely out of the woods. She has a hind limb deformity caused by malnutrition – we saw it in some of the yearlings. The hind fetlock is enlarged and pushed forward. With proper nutrition from this point forward it could improve. She is able to walk normally and other than being tiny is absolutely gorgeous.
Baby Jewel’s medical needs, along with the three yearlings that survived (three of seven), are mounting. She may require specialized treatment to correct her hind fetlock. She will continue to be tube fed to supplement her dam’s milk until the vet says otherwise. She is going through straw, man hours, and vet care faster than a full grown horse!!"
Obviously Louisiana Horse Rescue Association require funds to help raise Jewel if you'd like to help you can donate directly at their website or donate to the Horse and Man Febuary Bucket Fund which is for The Many.
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Rachel Alexandra foaled January 29th 2006 in Lexington, Kentucky at Heaven Trees Farm by Madaglia D’oro out of Lotta Kim is the 16hh Thoroughbred bay filly with a upside-down exclamation-point-shaped white blaze who wowed the American Racing world during her 3 year campaign.
Rachel Alexandra who was named after the grandaughter of her breeder Dolphus Morrison was sold for an undisclosed sum, believed to be in excess of $10 million, to Stonestreet Stables & Harold T. McCormick, with billionaire Jess Jackson of Kendal Jackson Winery holding controlling interest.
Named Horse of the Year in 2009 Rachel Alexandra, Kentucky Oaks winner was the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years, and only the fifth to win the second jewel in the Triple Crown ever.
Racing career:
At 2:
Won Golden Rod S. (G2,CD,8.5F)
2nd Debutante S. (G3,CD,6F), Pocahontas S. (G3,CD,8F)
At 3:
Won Preakness S. (G1,Pim,9.5F), Kentucky Oaks (G1,CD,9F), Haskell Invitational S. (G1,Mth,9F), Mother Goose S. (G1,Bel,9F), Woodward S. (G1,Sar,9F), Fair Grounds Oaks (G2,FG,8.5F), Fantasy S. (G2,OP,8.5F), Martha Washington S. (OP)
At 4:
Won Fleur de Lis H. (G2,CD,9F),Lady's Secret S. (Mth,9F)
2nd La Troienne S. (G2,CD,8.5F), New Orleans Ladies S. (FG,8.5F),Personal Ensign S. (Sar,G1,10F)
Retired to stud at Stonestreet Farm with winnings of $3,506,730 Rachel Alexandra has recently given birth to her first foal, a colt by Curlin as yet unamed with his own FB page. Born 2.40pm 22nd January 2012 a video of the 125lb colt first steps can be seen on the Stonestreet Farm site:
Rachel Alexandra Curlin colt's first steps
And now the racing world waits to see if another champion has been born.
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One of the many equine stars in Speilberg's War Horse is the Thoroughbred Finders Key who not only performs as Joey but also, in one scene, as Joey's dam.
Finders Key, or Finder as he is known, was bred in California by James J. Lindsey, by the Roberto stallion Lindsey’s Roberto, he is out of the winning Key to the Mint mare, Thru the Keyhole but was unplaced in three starts as a juvenile in 2002.
Finder then went on to act in the film Sea Biscuit and The Legend of Zorro by which time his trainer Bobby Lovgren had recognized Finder's amazing ability as an equine actor.
Lovegren says, “He is the best horse I’ve ever had. He’s truly amazing. The wilder looking things he’s so very good at—the fast things that make you believe the horse is scared or panicked. Those kinds of situations are very hard to train—the emotions—and he’s very good and believable at portraying them. He has so much animation and personality."
Recently Finder was dyed black to perform in an episode of CSI Miami and if you'd like to keep track of his acting career Finder has his very own Facebook page - Finders Key (Finder).
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Old Billy, pictured above with Squire Henry Harrison, has gone down in history as the world's oldest horse. He was born in 1760 in Woolston, Lancashire, England and was a barge horse, owned by Mersey and Irwell Navigation, during his working life.
Old Billy died on November 27th, 1822 at the incredible age of 62. Mersey and Irwell Navigation had his head stuffed which was later presented to Manchester Museum.
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Pippa when she was found
Bay mare Pippa is making great progress at Redwings Horse Sanctuary following a re-homing request from the RSPCA.
Eleven-year-old Pippa was first seen by RSPCA Inspector Jon Knight, who seized the Cob cross, along with five other neglected ponies, after finding clear signs of neglect.
The former owners pleaded guilty to twelve counts of cruelty – resulting in a three-year ban on keeping equines. Pippa and her friends were signed over to the RSPCA; however, it is only since October that Pippa has been well enough to be moved to her new home at Redwings.
Pippa was severely underweight, had a combination of a heavy worm burden and lice infestation which had left her with large bald patches around her neck and shoulders. However, she is now looking like a different horse following the care and attention from the RSPCA’s dedicated staff.
Currently, Pippa has a prickly nature towards humans, possibly a result of her neglect, and it was for these reasons that the RSPCA contacted Redwings in an attempt to secure her future.
Rachel Angell, Senior Welfare Officer for Redwings, said: “Pippa is now back to her beautiful best – as the latest pictures clearly show. However, she has had a traumatic past and, as a result, she can be difficult at times, which is why she may prove more challenging to re-home.”
“However, she is certain of a happy future here at Redwings, where she can receive all the extra handling and care she requires.”
And as she looks now (cheeky!)
Redwings currently provides sanctuary to 1200 horses, ponies and donkeys, with a further 500 in Guardian ownership. See www.redwings.co.uk for further details.
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Popcorn Deelites claim to fame is that he starred in the film Seabiscuit with Jeff Bridges, Toby Macguire and Chris Cooper. He was one of 6 horses who played Seabiscuit in the film, each was chosen for their special Seabiscuit like abilities. Popcorn Deelites can be seen breaking from the starting gates and in the actual racing scenes as Seabiscuit.
Born in 1998, a blood bay with dark points, by Afternoon Deelites out of Turquoise Gal (by Navajo), Popcorn Deelites ran 58 times. He won 11 of his races and accumulated $56,880 in winnings.
After his starring role Popcorn returned to racing until he was purchased by Michael Blowen of Old Friends, a retirement home for racehorses for $1,500. He now lives at Old Friends, Dream Chase Farm in Georgetown, KY, USA where he can be visited by his fans, please see the Old Friends website for details.
"Every horse is good for something." Tom Smith, Seabiscuit.
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Gilly, a Tennessee Walker / Quarter Horse is the inspiration behind Jane Augenstein's custom made saddle cloth business Gilly Wear. She has owned him since he was an undernourished 11 month old foal. Here is his story as told by Jane herself:
I got Gilly from a small rescue (3 people) operation in W.Va. in 2004. He was purchased by the rescuers from the farm where he was born and for some reason the people were letting him starve. His father, stallion, was chasing him from the food, which was rotten hay. There was no shelter for any of the horses that were in the muddy pen. See picture below.
Gilly is in the right hand of the picture. One of the paint horses is his father.
My husband had brought home a business card with the web site of the rescue people given to him by a friend of his. the friend knew I loved horses and gave it to my husband, I didn't want to look because rescue horses, I figured they would look bad and I would cry. Finally I did look and I did cry, especially when I saw little skinny Gilly. I said to my husband why did you give me this card, I can't do anything to help any of these horses. He said, why not we do live on a 40 acre farm! I said, but we have cows and not much pasture....he said there is always hay and grain to supplement if there isn't enough grass! Well, that's all it took, I called the number the next day to see if the little red colt was still available, he was, they had just added him to the site the day I saw him! We made an appointment to go and see him 3 days later. I saw him, gave them a deposit and went and picked him up the next weekend. Gilly's price was $350, I think I got one heck of a good horse for that small price.
This is the first time I saw Gilly, who was then called Davy.
The white on Gilly is lice powder and he is very skinny as you can see. He was 11 months old, 12 hh and 397 pounds. Pretty ugly speciman of a horse, but I saw an intelligent animal that just needed a chance and a lot of good food!
Gilly a little over a month after I got him, big improvement!
When I got him I didn't think he would grow and be more than a yard ornament but I was wrong, he is a magnificent creature that I love to pieces! I have trained him myself, have gone to a few horse clinics, studied a lot of horse training DVD's and had some help from some local horse trainers. Some days he can be a real stinker but we work through it. He is a quick learner and does really try for me whatever I ask him to do. We don't go to shows or compete in any events, just trail ride and enjoy life as a team.
Gilly in 2009 with a friend's 9 year old granddaughter on board. She rides hunter/jumper ponies so is a good rider. Gilly now is 16hh and 1,200 lbs. He is a wonderful horse, kind and gentle and very smart. I got a diamond in the rough and I am still working on the polish! :-)
Gilly meets Pokey, his new best friend.
Gilly - Best $350 I ever spent!
Jane's custom made saddle pad's can be found at Gilly Wear. To follow Gilly (and Pokey's) adventures visit Jane's blog Jane Augenstein - My World in Pictures
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