Here's to Happy Endings

Horse Haven has cared for over 700 horses over the past 15 years.  Some of them stayed with us for a long time, some for just a little while.  But every horse leaves a little bit behind when it moves on to it's new home.
Some have an impact on our volunteers by providing a learning experience. Some provide challenges to our staff with either a medical or behavioral puzzle that requires solving . Every horse that enters through our doors teaches somebody something.  And every horse that leaves here takes a little piece of our collective heart with it.

 While Horse Haven's ultimate goal is to find permanent, loving homes for the animals that come to us from abuse and neglect situations, it is bittersweet for our staff and volunteers to see a horse leave.  This was the case just today when Minnie Pearl was adopted by Heidi.

The fact that Heidi is a regular volunteer at Horse Haven and will keep us posted on this sweet girl makes this particular adoption more sweet than bitter.  It's a Happy Ending for all involved!

If you would like to support the service Horse Haven provides for horses in need, please click the pay pal button on our website.
And stay tuned for next week's edition of "As the Barn turns....."

Strut under saddle!

Saturday was a big day for our foster kid. His winter coat is gone and he is now a beautiful, shiny, liver chestnut color.  We already knew that he stood patiently for the farrier and for grooming.  He was responsive in the round pen.  It was time for somebody to get in the saddle.

Strut stood quietly when I tacked him up. He didn't flinch at the pad or the girth.

When I bridled him, he had no objections to the eggbutt snaffle bit and held it quietly in his mouth. We did have to let the bridle out a total of 4 holes. He has a large head.
We took him into the round pen and after a little lounging and flexing, it was time to leg up.

Initially, Strut was a little apprehensive. But he soon relaxed.

  

CJ, the young trainer that evaluated Strut for us, felt that he may have had some training in the past. He "sort of" knows how to neck rein and he "sort of" knows how to move off leg pressure. He does have a lovely, big trot and he carries himself very well. He did not ask him to canter that day. We're saving the canter for next time, when he graduates to the big arena.


Below is a picture of Strut when he was picked up by Horse Haven after receiving a call from the Oliver Springs Police Department. This is what he looked like four short months ago. And while his training still needs improvement, this wonderful gelding has come a long way already.

If you would like to support Horse Haven's mission of helping horses like Strut by donating or adopting, please visit our website horsehaventn.org as well as our Face Book page.
And stay tuned to "As the Barn turns ...." to find out where Strut's journey leads him.