The day my horse-of-a-lifetime walked into my life, he was nothing extravagant or extraordinary. In fact, he looked like nothing but skin and bones, with a scruffy and unruly coat and mane. I still remember receiving the call from my trainer asking  me to come try out two new horses she had just brought in from Carolina. I happily agreed and hurriedly got ready to head towards the barn. On the drive over my excitement was obvious to the point my hands were shaking. I could feel how big of a moment this horse trial was going to be. When I arrived at the barn my trainer showed me both of the new horses, but I only had eyes for the big red gelding. He was tall, broad and had a very handsome and kind face. Beyond that though, he was nothing to be impressed by. However, he was the one I wanted from the very beginning; the one who worked his way into my heart to the point I could never let him go. When we brought the horses inside the barn to tack up I was shocked with how calm he stood, especially being  an off the track horse.  However I could see the potential of an amazing jumper in his almost seventeen hands tall, long-legged and broad-chested frame. His kind brown eyes, handsome face and his desire to please are what pushed me to fight to keep this amazing creature. I still  remember the day my grandfather complied to buying me this horse.  It was a cold December night and my grandpa had come out to the barn to watch me ride this new horse I had talked about nonstop. Once he saw the way I looked at that horse he knew I was in love, and he was quite impressed with how talented this horse already was. The moment he said the words, “well lets buy him”, was the most exciting moment of my life. My dream and wish ever since I was a little girl would finally come true. My grandpa had no idea what he was getting into with this horse owner business.

However, it was not an easy process and my horse even failed the veterinary recommendation twice due to abscesses along with spine and pelvic misalignment. Both of these issues were traced back to his mistreatment on the track. The abscesses in his feet had been there for a long time, but did not show up earlier due to the track drugs that were slowly wearing off. The pelvis and spine misalignment is very common in OTTB’s, due to only running left and it was a long journey and many chiropractic adjustments before his back stayed in alignment. I spent countless nights out there soaking his feet in epsom salts to draw the abscesses out of the hoof, and each night I fell further and further in love with him. For his spine and pelvis, he required several chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy, which did not come cheap. Even still, it was worth every minute of my time and any amount of money paid to see him grow healthier and stronger every day.

Finally after my many nights taking care of him to correct all of his injuries he went in for his final vet check. I was a nervous wreck, because if he didn’t pass this time he would have to be returned to the trade farm in Carolina.  The vet checked for lameness and he passed. Next, she checked his back and he passed the soreness and alignment tests too. I began to feel very hopeful. Finally, she concluded by wanting to do baseline x-rays to check his fetlock joints for proper bone alignment to ensure his legs would be able to endure the strain of jumping. A total of 4 x-rays per leg were taken and interpreted by the vet and she came back with relatively good news. His bones were aligned and appeared healthy and the only concern she had was the thinness in the sole of his hoof near the essential coffin bone, but even still the vet seemed optimistic and gave us the go ahead recommendation to buy this horse.

My horse is a story of success. He has put on weight, built muscle and is now a successful showjumping horse. He also enjoys his time in the field, running, bucking and playing with his friends all day.However, not every racehorse has a happy ending. These horses deserve to live the rest of their life after racing in happiness and comfort. Furthering education and support of thoroughbred rescue groups could make a large impact in a horse’s and a person’s life.