Norman

"Norman"

Recently, I’ve been thinking about a horse we used to have and wondering what his life is like now or if he’s still alive.  I have no idea why Norman has popped into my head for the past week but maybe it’s time his story was told.  

We were boarding at a facility and the owner got this adorable black cob/draft horse in with a horrible injury to his back leg.  The skin was literally sliced to the point of hanging slightly off the leg with crusted blood and oozing.  I have no idea what the deal was between the barn owner and the dealer, but Norman was there on trial as a potential schoolie or something for a month or so and needless to say we fell in love with him.  How could we not?  He might not have been the most handsomest horse but he was surely the sweetest, friendliest little guy I’ve ever known.  My husband remarked once that he looked prehistoric... poor Norman. 

The slimy little owner of the farm hit upon a new scam to try to get his clients to buy his new school horses.  Apparently he thought he would get in sad cases like Norm on trial and then start a “Save Norman... or else” fund.  Everyone would donate money to try to keep Norm from going to auction and the killers.  And people did donate, only they didn’t come up with quite enough money, so when the truck showed up to take Norm away, it was too late.  When the dreaded kill truck showed up, Norman was loaded onto it to be taken to auction.  I received a frantic call from my daughter that Norman was leaving for the kill pens and could I come down with the money to buy him.  Now, at the time I didn’t have any extra money lying around to spend on a horse.  My daughter, who was a teenager at the time, had been saving money for a trip and I was to bring that money for Norman’s purchase.  The driver was in a hurry and the barn was forty-five minutes from my house, so I had to hustle.  He wasn’t going to wait around for long with the promise from a kid that mom was on her way with the money.  In the end, Norman was led from the truck and put back in the barn.  Now we had to figure out how to pay board on him, vet bills etc.  My daughter went to work for the barn as a mucker, groomer and in general helped out for a reduction in board.  So it worked out for Norman.  With diligent care, Norman recovered from his injuries (thought there was some nasty proud flesh) and was a happy, thankful horse and a pleasure to be around.   (The slimy barn owner, btw, kept all the money that had been donated to the “Save Norman” fund for himself.)

Even though he was definitely a driving horse in his prior life, I did have a ride on him one day.  It was easy to see why he made the perfect cart-pulling horse; his trot was atrocious and the most uncomfortable I’ve ever had the displeasure to ride.  No matter.  He was a wonderful horse and we all loved him.  

Circumstances being what they are in life, we eventually left that barn and took Norman along and he became everybody’s darling at the next barn, too.  To say he was a character would be an understatement.  One day he ate the button off my daughter’s coat looking for treats.  He saw no need for having his sheath cleaned, when he had already mastered the technique of laying on his stomach and rubbing back and forth on his hoof to relieve his discomfort.  It seemed to work for him.  Norman also had the cutest handlebar mustachio and was very kissable.  During the time we spent at this barn there was a beginner rider and he took a liking to Norman.  The picture below is of him and Norman on a beach ride.  Doesn’t he look majestic with the surf behind him? Unfortunately, this rider wasn’t ready to buy a horse and Norman came along with us when we moved to yet another barn. 

As always, Norman was a hit with all but there was one girl in particular who absolutely fell in love with him.  She would spend hours grooming him and bringing him giant jars of peppermint candy.  We thought it was wonderful that she had so much fun riding him--she was the only person in the world who thought his trot was comfortable.  Eventually, we sold him to her for a dollar and they became a great pair because they were so right for each other.  

The only sort of sad part to Norman’s story is: one day when we came to the barn he wasn’t there.  In his place was a letter to us that she had to leave quickly and couldn’t get in touch with us in time to let us know.  Seems she was moving to New Hampshire to be with her father.  So Norman was gone and we didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.  I’m sure since her father had a barn on the property he was well-loved and taken care of, but I would have liked to give him a hug and kiss goodbye one last time. 

I’m sort of hoping she sees this and lets us know what happened with her and Norman.   It’s hard not knowing how the horses we care for wind up.  It’s one of the reasons I could never be a breeder and seller of horses.  Wherever Norman is I’m sure he’s still the happy, sweet and friendly guy we all loved and cared about. 

Until next time

Quote for Today

A horse is an angel without wings

"Sami" Arabian Rescue Hore Update

“Sami”

Arabian Rescue Horse Update

It is hard to believe that a year has passed since we first met Sami and his mom Sweetie at their run-down “home” stable. Everyone knows the story by now and how we came to take them home with us. Time flies and so much has happened in the last year with mother and son. They are doing well and have both settled in to the herd nicely.

Since this post is about Sami I can only say that he is one of the sweetest little guys I’ve ever met. He is a smart, sensitive horse who takes everything in stride. Despite his lack of handling before he came to us, he loves human contact, and is always ready to pop his head out of his stall for a scratch under his head or a rub on the neck. There have been many new things he’s had to deal with in the past year, but he is so sensible and never blows up or causes a commotion over things, even if he is very scared or uncomfortable with a situation. Sami is one of those rare horses that can be reasoned with and talked down from the ledge easily. What scary things, you may ask, has he encountered in his year with us? For starters the farrier, who he adores and stands like a little soldier for; of course, this wasn’t always the case, but he’s used to his trims now. He also had to learn to wear a fly mask, and he’s actually better than some of the other horses about getting his on!

We never thought he would be able to get turned out with the herd considering that, when we got him as a stallion, he would run the fence for an hour before we had to bring him in. Apparently, never being let out of a stall for 5 years had a negative effect on him. Can you imagine? He didn’t even know he should eat the grass! Now he can barely wait his turn to get out and he’s turned into quite a Hoover. He’s become such a fat little pony that he practically waddles in by the end of the day and is a candidate for a grazing muzzle (as soon as we find one he can’t take off! We tried one and he had that and his halter both off in record time.) His adjustment to blankets, halters, fly masks, fly spray, baths, tack etc. was easier than we thought it would be; even when he is afraid, he never acts up, but stands stock still and thinks about it as you’re explaining it all to him. He tries so hard to please.

Herd dynamics are interesting to watch as Sami finds his spot in the hierarchy. It would be accurate to say he’s an annoying little pest most of the time. He’ll pick a fight (mostly for play) with any horse in the herd, but his target of choice is usually Nate. Sami thinks it’s a good idea to run right up and rear in Nate’s face (or I should say belly, because that’s as high as all 14.2 hands of him can reach on Nate’s 17.3 hands when he rears back at Sami.) Nate is a good sport about the rearing game and likes to play along, but I shudder to think what could happen if Nate ever came down on him by accident. He’d probably squash him like a bug. Picking a fight with the biggest horse in the herd makes me think maybe he’s got the “short horse” syndrome and is such a little monster I considered changing his name to Napoleon or Bonaparte.

He spends his days mostly eating and trying out his wings, so to speak, by pinning his ears and trying to be boss. He is persistent, but most everyone simply ignores him. Surprisingly, Mellon seems to have taken him under his wing. It’s sort of like Sami is Mellon’s “mini-me.” Normally, the stunts he pulls would get Mellon riled and spurred to action to keep the discipline, but for some reason he puts up with Sami, and has even been caught grooming with him on occasion! Mellon also came from a neglect situation, and I wonder if maybe Mellon looks after him because he can relate to what Sami has been through, or if Mellon just sees a reflection of himself in Sami’s toughness and desire to be top horse... Or maybe he just likes having a sidekick. But if this keeps up, we may have to rename him Mellow Mellon.

The best part of all Sami’s antics may be when he tries to bully his mother. Though she gets no respect from the other members of the herd (and generally tries to avoid them in the field) one pointed look from her has him scurrying for cover. This leads me to believe she must have been one tough motor scooter in her days of mothering and rearing little brats like him. He’s petrified of her, so rough, tough, cream-puff Sami keeps his distance until he forgets himself and annoys her again. Testing…testing. Even though no one else is in the least afraid of her, at least Sami knows his place with her. He’s still on the bottom of the herd totem pole.

We haven’t done much training with Sami yet, but in just a few short sessions he has learned how to walk and trot on the lunge for short periods, is getting attuned to voice commands and soon may start long lining. He’s too small for us to ride but, when the time is right for a rider, I’m sure we’ll figure out something. For now he’s just learning to behave himself and have some manners. I find with him, because he’s so sensitive, you must take it slow and easy and not insist on too many things too fast. He has plenty of time to learn and once he gets it all together I am sure he is going to be a super-star and very safe for anyone to ride. In the meantime he’s a cute, sweet little guy to have around. We do love him and are happy to see him coming into his own.

Until next time

Quote for Today

By reason of his elegance, he resembles an image painted in a palace, though he is as majestic as the palace itself.
- Emir Abd-el-Kader

Update on 'Sweetie' our Rescued Arabian Mare

' Sweetie '
We trimmed her mane and told her
she looks ten years younger

Update on Rescued Arabian Mare

‘Sweetie’

Thought it might be time for an update on the Arabian mare we rescued back in July ’08. We have very little information on her background but I will share what we do know. She is approximately 25 years old. In her youth, she was an English Pleasure national champion at one time. Her name was Princess Nabir (spelling?). When her owners moved, she was sold to the woman we rescued her from at about ten years old. The woman who bought her used her as a broodmare and pretty much had her in foal every season; I don’t know how many foals she birthed but I’m sure it was more than she needed or wanted to be forced into doing. Her last foal was the 5/6 year old stallion Sami that we rescued along with her.

As everyone knows from the original posts, Sweetie’s hooves were in horrible shape and caused some founder. She has some arthritis in her leg joints, but I suppose that’s to be expected at her age. Surprisingly, when we had the chiropractor/vet out to see her, we were told her back is fine - just swayed bit - and it’s only her legs that bother her. Her teeth were done and she was put on supplements and wormed etc… So she’s in as good a shape as she can be for now.

Now on to the good part. I’ve never had much exposure to Arabians and truthfully they would be the last breed I would ever consider. Mostly because of their size, which I feel, is too small for my daughters and me. In addition, I’m not really impressed with the way I’ve seen some of these horses disfigured and have their muzzles misshapen in the interest of a more “dishy” face by irresponsible breeders. I’m glad to see that Sweetie and Sami have the classic profile of what I would call the original Arabian breed.

Sweetie is one of the smartest horses I’ve ever met. It didn’t take her more than a week to catch on to the routine of the barn. She is so well behaved that when taking the horses in at night she doesn’t need a lead rope, we simply let her go and she walks into the barn and into her stall. This is not to say our other horses are “less smart,” but left to their own devices they would be running around the farm getting into all kinds of trouble! Yet here is a mare who didn’t know us or the barn but can find her way to her stall with no problem and causes no trouble. She has never trashed her stall, thrown blankets or buckets, etc.; she waits her turn for everything with unusual grace and manners.

When the whole herd is in turnout, she is with them yet apart from them. She doesn’t like to be alone, though she doesn’t really get close to them often. This is understandable to my way of observing. Our herd of mostly geldings is a bit rowdy at times and I think she knows she can’t possibly get out of their way if there’s any trouble so she stays off to the side a bit. She may just think they are all jerks and she wants nothing to do with them. I don’t know. I do know she is clever and has figured out the best way for herself to be comfortable and safe.

If I had to venture a guess, I would say she has never been in a herd situation or turned out on pasture for that matter. In her younger days she may have been kept in a stall because she was a prized competitor and after she was sold to this breeder, she may have continued in the same turn out situation. When we met her she was in an unlit indoor arena where I suspect she lived for years. I’m happy she is enjoying her time out now. Sometimes she just stops and looks off into the distance at nothing. I wonder if she’s actually seeing the outside world for the first time in her life. She seems so interested in everything around her, and she takes it all in with a quiet, confident patience. I guess there is something to be said for the wisdom that comes with age and experience.

In conclusion I’d like to pass along a funny incident that happened this morning. Sweetie has turned out to be an excellent groomer and Mellon loves being groomed. Mellon usually grooms Nate in the morning before going out to the paddock. But this morning Mellon went over to Sweetie instead. We assumed there would be shrieking and ears pinned and we’d have to separate them. Instead, Mellon gently began to groom Sweetie and let her groom him. Nate, of course, was beside himself, probably assuming Mellon is losing his eyesight and picked the wrong chestnut! Dusty, who thinks Mellon is her co-top-dog in the herd was especially jealous and proceeded to squirt all over the aisle (she’s in heat). Subsequently, my daughter had to tip toe through this mess so as not to get her work clothes dirty. Dusty then went out and squirted at Nate to teach Mellon a lesson and presumably make him jealous. Of course, he couldn’t care less. Even though Sweetie is no spring chicken, Dusty doesn’t like competition and so does not really get along with Sweetie; she ignores her. I’m sure she was miffed Mellon left her younger blonde self for an older woman - and a red head at that!

Sweetie also looks after the herd in her own way. Donnie had to stay inside for the vet and of course all the other horses made their way to the back field without a second thought about poor Donnie. Once out there, however, Sweetie – who never seems to take much notice of the rest of the herd – must have noticed Donnie was missing. She walked all the way back up to the top and stood at the fence near his window, occasionally calling or nickering to him to keep him company until he could join them.

I do like this little Arabian mare very much and I hope she is with us for a long time; she has brought something special to our little herd and, after all she’s been through deserves to enjoy her life for a while.

' Is the coast clear '

' Donnie comes to escort her on a stroll'



' The Rowdy Bunch Appears'
Sweetie heads for the safety of the trees

' Sweetie' peeking out from behind the tree

Until next time

Quote for Today

After God had fulfilled his word, he addressed the newly created mare as follows: I have made thee without an equal: the goods of this world shall be placed between thy eyes; everywhere I will make thee happy and preferred above all beasts of the field, for tenderness shall everywhere be in the heart of the master; good alike for the chase and retreat, thou shalt fly though wingless . . .
- From the Koran