There’s a new rescue horse at the barn, but this time he’s not mine! My friend who has been riding with me decided to take the plunge and foster a horse for Standardbred Retirement Foundation, the same rescue King came from. She has 4 kids, and wants a laid back family horse for everyone to ride and enjoy. We drove out to western NC to meet some horses and bring one back. What is normally a 7 hour drive became a 9 hour drive thanks to the snow that fell on eastern NC last weekend. Other than snow, we had a very easy, uncomplicated road trip, which is always a blessing when horses are involved.
We looked at 4 different horses and all agreed on the same one. His name is Racing Stripes and he’s only 14 years old. He is most likely ex-Amish, just based on how beat up his body is. Like all these former kill pen horses, he needs weight and muscle and he has some blemishes and scars. But he’s a beautiful red bay with a cheerful personality, and he loves interacting with his new family.
This is my favorite thing in the whole world- taking a horse that looks awful and needs care, and watching it transform into a fat, shiny, happy horse. Nothing makes me happier than seeing horses become the healthiest, happiest versions of themselves. I like riding them, but what I really enjoy is the care aspect. We work on teeth, hooves, weight gain, nutrition, mineral balancing and good grooming. In 3 months time, he will look like a different animal!
Simple Southern 
Welcome to winter, from Iowa. jerry