Da Rodeo Man, ch. g.

Da Rodeo Man was adopted- Dawn for NJ was looking for a nice young horse that she could bring along, show, and teach on. She saw Rodeo and instantly liked him but the footing that day was too slippery to do more than walk and trot.

By the time she could get back someone else had put a deposit on him, to Dawn's dismay. The first person opted not to adopt him so Dawn came back. We were able to take him to a neighboring indoor and he was a star! He didn't mind the indoor or the horses outside calling back and forth. Dawn was able to WTC and jump some small fences, and Rodeo took it all in stride. He left for his new home the next day! Congratulations, we know you will do well together!

Update: January 10, 2005

Just wanted to give you a quick update on Rodeo... who has now been renamed "Chianti" (like the wine).  He is adjusting very nicely to his new home.  He is very friendly and always looking for attention, as well as his "treats"!  His Christmas present was another massage to work out some tightness in his neck and back.  It was successful and he has been relaxing and is learning how to rebend and flex on his left side.  At this point, nothing seems to phase him...he still remains very quiet.  The only issue he has is not understanding what I am asking him to do sometimes and he gets a little frustrated, but then he calms down and finally gets it!  He seems to be a quick learner.  He has learned his position in the field and gets along pretty well with my other 2 horses: Devon and Dakota.  He does like to play, but sometimes gets the cold shoulder because the other 2 would rather eat!!!

Dawn

Mister Approval, dk. b. g., 16.1+, 6 yrs.

Mister has a new home with Loretta from MD. She came to see Murmadon but fell for Mister (he is SO COOL!) He had a girth abcess the first week she visited so she came back last weekend and they got along quite well. Mister is leaving Saturday to live at Loretta's farm, where he will have his own barn and pasture and LOTS of love and attention. Loretta just pleasure rides and he will be her first horse, although she has had experience caring for/riding other horses.

Pokeyhontas, gr. m.

Pokey Hontas was adopted! Vicki from Middletown has been a supporter since our inception, and has been toying with getting a second horse. She saw Pokey's picture within an hour of posting on the website and called right away. Of course, we had to bring her in and see what she was about before showing her to anyone, but knew right away that she would suit Vicki. She was vetted on Sunday and is going home just before Thanksgiving to be a pleasure/local show horse.
Congratulations!!

Cupcake, dk. b. m., 5 yrs, 15.3h++ Tattoo illegible.

Patience/Cupcake was adopted! She has been battling a high muscle pull in her back since the first week of October- she must have fallen in her paddock in the mud (we could see the slide marks and the fence knocked askew.) She has gotten much better with vet supervision, massage work by our wonderful Martha Grace, and (new!) acupuncture by Dr Kala Shaw- however, it is a matter of needing a bit more time. Jeanne Davis, who has adopted Cautionary (PC), Iusedtohavemoney(Alice), and Larkspur came by. Alice went to a great new home with an old friend of hers, so Jeanne had a spot open. She adopted Patience and has the time and knowledge (plus a great magnetic blanket) to make her 100%! Congratulations and thank you!

Maukey, Ch. G, 6yr, 16.0+h.

Jennifer from MD was looking for her first horse- she had ridden for years and had fond memories of an old OTTB she used to ride, but had never owned her own horse. After some crazy horse shopping trips, she called us and came to meet Maukey. She really liked him off the bat but his canter needed a little tuning up (or down).

She came back about a week later and things went superbly so she adopted him. He has settled in well and they are very happy!

Update July 2007:

Hi!

Forgive me for not writing to you sooner, I have been meaning to write for some time. I wanted to let you know how great Maukey was doing. He now goes by the name Remington (Remy for short). After disagreeing with my original barn's manager about his care I moved him to a new and much better barn where he quickly settled in and became a barn favorite. We have found that bringing him along slowly but steadily seems to be the key and he has improved drastically.

We have started him on dressage training basics and have started him over ground poles and small cross rails. He is also hacking quietly around the farm and even on limited forays into the woods. Recently we took him to his first show where he took a 1st place and a 3rd place. The judge seemed genuinely surprised when we told him that he was a retired racehorse and that he came out of a rescue. I was very proud to say that he came from Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue!

At any rate my friend Heather (who is helping me bring him along as my work schedule got a little busier then I thought it would) and I got many compliments on him throughout the day Remy is a joy to work with and we (he and I) are both learning a lot. .He is rapidly becoming my dream horse - the one who can and will do anything you ask. My trainer told me the other day that she cannot wait to get him started over real fences so that will be our next project.

Anyway, thanks for Remy and all of the work you do. I still check your site regularly even though I cannot afford a second horse (wish I could). We are planning to take Remy to another show in August. I am attaching a couple of pictures for you. One is of Heather riding and one is of me on him this spring. I also am planning to send a small donation. Keep up the good work and thanks again.

Jennifer Jones

Westofdixie, b.g., 16.1+, 6 yrs

Crystal and her daughter Courtney from PA were looking for a first horse for Courtney to bring along as a hunter/jumper/event horse. They had been looking for awhile and had missed out on a couple of prospects and had others not pass the vet. They came and tried Patience and really liked her and decided to put a deposit on her, pending a vet check and the trainer's approval. They called back a couple of days later- they had met Westofdixie and couldn't stop thinking about him. He was still in quarantine when they visited and hadn't been able to ride him. Crystal wanted Courtney to have a choice so they asked to put a deposit on him as well with the promise that they would vet both horses and make a decision within 10 days.

Last Thursday they came with truck, trailer, and trainer. They rode Dixie and fell in love and took him home that day!

Ready to Go, B.g., 11 yrs., 16.1h++

Noreen from DE was looking for a new partner to replace an old friend who had died a couple of years earlier. Ready To Go caught her eye. She came up and watched him go, then got on and just played around with him at the walk and trot. They really seemed to click-Ready is a big, sweet boy but does not like someone pushing himn around. Noreen rode him perfectly and she decided to adopt him.

After a vet check, he left for his new home, just up the road, last week.

Silent Misty, b.m., 15.3h, 5 yrs by Bankbook.

Lisa from VA called about our horses. She wanted to see everyone, but especially Patience and Misty. She made the trip up and rode Patience. She liked her a lot but also wanted to meet Misty. Ginny took Lisa up to the broodmare field- we had moved Misty there in order to get a drier pasture so her feet could toughen up. Misty came up and just put her head in Lisa's arms! After a consultation with our vet and her vet, Lisa decided to give Misty a home!

We are so happy to know that Misty will get the nursing care she needs and ultimately start a new career as a pleasure/dressage horse.

Update October 20, 2004:

Just a quick note on Misty. She's settled in very well and has been visited by the vet twice already. I think I've found an excellent and very caring vet that will provide the added attention she needs regarding her feet. (In fact he is a consultant vet on a website solely focused on hoof care--horseshoes.com.) She was sore after the shoeing understandably. She's already walking
much better on her new feet. His prognosis: it will obviously take a long time for the crack to grow out completely but she should be ridable in a few weeks. (There's already some evidence of it growing out at the top.) Longer term, she'll probably always
need extra attention paid to her feet. He thought she would be just fine.

Although I did restrict her turnout to a small paddock, I have been putting her out in the big pasture for longer and longer stretches. Despite any soreness she may be feeling in her foot, some galloping and grazing have been her favorite jobs in the pasture. The herd of deer, the tractor and her new home don't seem to faze her at all. The only funny thing is how she's taken to her stall. Despite free access to the outside, more times than not she's been found hanging in her stall snoozing. I also think I've litter trained her to the stall. She'll come in to the stall to go to the bathroom and then go back outside--great. She gets handled, led, brushed and made much of every day. In another week, depending on how her foot is, I plan on starting 10-15 minutes a day of ground work in the ring. We all love her here. I'll be sure to send you periodic updates to let you know how we're doing.

Merrian's Girl, 1997 ch. m., 16.1h.

Adopted through Angel Acres Horse Have Rescue

Patrick

Mary and Rick, two vets from New Bolton Center, came to the rescue looking for a horse for Mary. They really liked Misty but Mary is just not in a position for a horse right now. We got to talking- they run the sports medicine department at NBC and mentioned they were looking for a couple of horses to run on the treadmill- they had to be TB's and they had to be young, amiable, and sound. After finding out the protocol, and learning that the horses all went to vets or vet techs as riding horses after their stint in the program, we told them about an unraced gelding we had rescued named Patrick.

Patrick had a rough life apparently before we bought him from the killers. He wanted to be good but was scared of doing the wrong thing- we spent a lot of time playing with him and reassuring him but he had some issues under saddle and we did not feel comfortable placing him as a riding horse. Rick and Mary agreed to give him a try.

We are happy to report all is going superbly! We went to visit- Patrick is shiny and has put on a bunch of weight. The best thing, though, is his confidence- he came right up to us, ears forward and eye happy and relaxed, for some treats. He is doing his treadmill work well, although is still nervous about the surcingle. With time and work, though, he may get over that. We are thrilled because this poor guy was running out of options and now he is happy and useful and well cared for.

Sir Proud, ch. g., 1999, 15.3h+.

We had a lot of people interested in Sir Proud but were being very careful to place him in the right home. He was going well at the rescue but could not have someone with unsteady or sharp hands. Mary & Rick from New Bolton Center were looking for another treadmill horse. They came to look and decided Sir Proud would suit their program. After an endoscopic exam to confirm that his wind was good, they adopted him. He is doing extremely well so far- he lives in a beautiful barn, knee deep in straw, a full rack of alfalfa, and real caramel apples for treats! When his time as a treadmill horse is over, they will place him or send him back to us if we would rather. Thanks and congratulations!

Bags Are Packed, Ch. G., 16.0+h, 5 yrs.

Lee from NJ had been corresponding with us for about a year, looking for a pleasure/low level dressage horse. Schedules kept getting in the way, and she hunted for a horse privately in the meantime. She saw Bags on our site and came down to meet him. He was his usual laid back self. Aafter a vet check this week, he is going to his new home on Sunday.
Congratulations!

Wayne's Boy, Dk. B. G., 15.3h, 5 yrs.

Beth, a rider/ trainer form Unionville was looking for a nice young horse to bring along and resell eventually. She came down and Wayne caught her eye. She rode him twice and then had him vetted. Each time she saw him she liked him even more! There was a question about a very slight swelling near his left cheek- most likely due to an old infection- but that was resolved and he is leaving on Monday. Congrats!

Pricedale Kid, b.g, 1998, 16.0h. By Tour d'Or-Slinkylady.

Tim from MD was looking for a nice horse for himself and his 9 year old daughter to share. Tim has ridden on and off for 25 years, and his daughter hopes to join Pony Club. Because there are some younger siblings as well, they needed a horse that was extremely quiet and steady. The whole family came to see Pricedale Kid and knew he was the one! After a vet check (and a recheck- he came up with a stone bruise onthe day of the first one), he went to his new home and now has a new name: Second Chance!

Update November 3, 2004:

I have enclosed some pictures of Chance (Pricedale Kid) and my daughter in their Halloween costume. They were the hit of the Halloween Parade which they both took part in. He is a truely awesome character.

Tim

More Bands, ch. g., 15.3h, 4 yrs.

Marjorie from PA called looking for a nice horse for pleasure and lessons. Marjorie is getting over a bad thigh fracture from a riding accident that was not set properly so needed a steady, sensible horse. She had seen MB's picture on our site and although she wasn't quite ready for a new horse, something about him kept tugging at her, so she came down. He was his usual laid back self- in fact, you really had to kick to get him to canter (some racehorse!)

Marjorie came back a week later with her trainer who loved him (and got him to canter nicely with little rubber spurs). He got vetted at New Bolton- all went well except for a little foot soreness from having been barefoot. Marjorie took him home with the agreement that if his feet didn't come sound in 30 days, the adoption would be off. Now halfway through the 30 days, he is sound and doing very well at the well known show barn in NJ where Marjorie trains. He doesn't mind the vacuum, clippers, jumping lessons in the ring around him, trains, or deer-- although he get a little offended being asked to work at feeding time one night. Unless something goes terribly wrong with his feet, this should be permanent in a week or so.

Feb 2007

Larkspur, b.f. 2001, 16h. Unraced.

Jeanne Davis from Wind Horse Offering in MD was looking for another nice young horse so she took on the "Larkspur project." This filly is quiet and an excellent mover but a bit clueless at times, so Jeanne was the perfect person to bring her along properly. We are looking forward to following her progress- Jeanne has quite a touch!

Update September 2005:

Larkspur is coming along so well Jeanne feels she is ready to go out and experience some dressage shows. Jeanne will be riding her at first to get her used to the hustle and bustle, but Jeanne feels by late fall that Lark and I will be out there together. Winter is also very happy at W.H.O. and will be coming inside at the end of this month to begin her transformation into whatever God intended. She is well-adjusted, friendly, and calm, and is so curious my husband had to stop hammering on a fence inside her paddock as her inquisitive nose was to close to the hammer-head.  Both are a joy in their own way and I am so grateful that you and Jeanne steared me into the 'mare zone' :)  Jeenie

Explosive Alliance, ch.g. 2000, 16h.

Explosive Alliance is adopted! Maria from MD called looking for her first ever horse, after 20+ years of wanting her own. She was drawn to Ex. The first day she rode him he was a little unsettled and she was a little unorganized- it is hard to hop on a totally strange horse! She went to look at another horse but couldn't stop thinking about Ex.

She came back the next week and rode again and it went superbly!! He is moving to his new home this weekend where he will be a pleasure horse and who knows where things will take them? Event? Dressage? Time will tell!

Update November 3, 2004:

Ace is doing so great! I actually took him on a trail ride on Sunday and it was heaven! I went with a friend so Ace was happy to follow her little mare...it only got a little scary when she decided to trot up ahead....Ace took off and passed her in three steps...luckily he wasn't interested in getting too far away. He is pretty herd bound (cries when he is in the barn alone).

I have been doing Parelli Natural Horsemanship (I actually just started a Parelli club for Maryland) training with him and he is responding beautifully.
He always comes to me from the pasture and is willing to go wherever I lead him. He was pretty spooky when he came but is doing so much better. I am taking him to a clinic in December.

He is gaining weight and his hair is growing in nicely. He looks beautiful.
He has two buddies he hangs out with in a huge pasture everyday from about 8am until 6pm. I think he is getting used to his life of luxury. Treats everyday, easy work schedule, lots of love, and attention. I had his teeth floated and feet trimmed and he's on a worming schedule.

So I'd say we're both extremely happy with the match. I check your website all the time and I hope that someday I will get another horse from you. I figure with 5 kids, one of them might be into horses. Right now it is my 2 year old that asks everyday to go see Acey. I tell all my friends about MAHR so maybe one of them will check you out.

I will send a picture when I can so you can see for yourself how good he looks!

Corrider's Choice, 1998 dk. b. g., 16.1h.

Corrider's Choice is adopted! Michaela from VA called about CC. She was looking for a pleasure horse and CC caught her eye. She made the long trip up, met him, and fell in love. She has had years of experience with young TB's and is looking forward to a new partnership. She knows that while CC has been totally sound, his xrays are bad so if need be, he may just be a companion- but hopefully he will be able to do what she asks him. We know he will love the attention- he is a cuddle bug!

Blue Jay, ch. g. by Storm Bird. 15.2h, 6 yrs.

Jennifer from MD called looking for a first horse for her teenage daughter Eleanor. They came to see Blue Jay and really liked him Because we were out in the big hay field and his feet needed doing, we only walked and trotted, but they liked him enough to come back with their trainer a week or so later. In the meantime, we moved him back down to the main farm and got his feet done, and Eleanor looked at some other horses- but none caught her eye like Blue Jay. They came back with Laura, their trainer, and tried him again at the WTC and over a small fence. Everyone felt it seemed like a great match. Eleanor realized she would have a lot of work to do with a young horse, but was excited to get started. He left for his new home this week and so far has settled in well. He already comes to Eleanor when he sees her and they have started some Parelli stuff as well. Congratulations!

Update September 10, 2004:

Blue Jay is doing great in his new home! He is a fast learner and has the best personality. Even my dad, who is definitely not a horse person, thinks he's great. We couldn't be happier- thank you so much!

Jennifer

Northern Desert- b.g. 1999, 16.1h+.

Northern Desert was donated to us by a family who had bought him as a first horse for their 13 year old daughter but he was just too strong. Barry from NE PA was looking for a new hunter. He and his wife Linda came down to see Poe and really liked him.

He was super out in the hayfields, for the walk-trot-canter and even deer bolting! They arranged for a vet exam and don't you know, on that day he was uneven!! He'd just had a pulled shoe replaced but the vet took xrays to be sure. The xrays showed slight pedal osteitis, not uncommon in racehorses.

We felt pretty confident that the uneveness was from the lost shoe but to make sure, the vet came back two days later. Poe was much improved but still not perfect. We agreed to adopt Poe with the stipulation we would take him back if he didn't come right. Fingers crossed it will work out! He is the perfect horse for Barry & Linda.

Update October 20, 2004:

Well I am finally getting around to writing you about Poe. This is Linda VanFleet. We adopted Poe the end of July. He is finally adjusting. Our trainer loves him. He is very willing in the ring. He is very good on a trail with our other horse, but alone he is still a little scary. He does go out by himself, but he doesn't like it. We had some trailering issues, but he is getting better about that, also. He has put on a few pounds and filled out beautifully. All in all he is really turning into a great horse. Our trainer asked my husband if he was thinking about showing him next year. I was a little worried about the way he interferes in the front, but so far it doesn't affect anything he does. We have had him on two hunter paces and he was great, but we haven't hunted him yet. We figured we would wait until next year and he is more acclimated to try that. As you can see my email address is his name. Well that is all for now. Thanks for a great horse.

Linda & Barry

Update September 2006:

This is DEZ all dressed up to fox hunt on opening day at Reedy Creek Hunt in Va. He is really doing well- he must have been born to foxhunt, this was his first hunt and he was just great! We hunted along side the field masters all day-- he jumped all the coops and anything that we came across. The hounds would run under and around DEZ and they did not bother him at all. Thank you for a GREAT HORSE!!!

Barry and Linda

Appealing Fella, Dk. b. g. 1999, 16.0h+, 5 yrs.

Brittany came up looking for her first horse. A talented and enthusiastic young rider, she was looking for a young horse to bring along and train for eventing. She fell in love with Appealing Fella- she and her mom brought the truck and trailer to the vet check and fortunately that did not jinx the outcome!

Fella acted a bit silly at first at the sight of the trailer but settled and passed his exam. We loaded him up and off they went. Brittany wrote us this week and said that he was the horse of her dreams- she feels like she has had him forever although it has only been one week. His new barn name is Matt. We look forward to hearing about his progress.

Update November 19, 2004:

I know I haven't written in a while but everything has been so busy. Matt or Fella as you know him is doing AWESOME!! I love him to pieces. We have done a few shows and have placed mostly 5th and 6th but they have been some pretty big classes and most of the classes we enter are jumping classes. WOW I really did get the jumper I wanted. We are not jumping too high yet because I want to get a nice soild base under him and don't want him to lose his confidence.

Fella and another horse at the barn decided that they were too bored standing in their field so they jumped the fence over to the next one. He really is a funny one, and is really a wonderful horse for me. We go trail riding at this huge farm about once a week and he is so good. Most the time we go with other TBs off the track and Matt is the only one that will walk through the water.

Lucky me, I don't have to get my feet wet. He is hardly scared of a thing.
It is so nice to go on a trail ride and not have your horse spook at everything (I am so used to that with the horses I train). He is just wonderful-no words could describe it. I just love him.

Well thank you guys for helping me find such a wonderful horse.

Brittany

Reds Ready, b.g., 5 yrs, close to 16h, by Explosive Red-Assombrie, by Timeless Moment. 14 sts, 0-2-0 $8320-

Reds had been here for what seemed like a long time- 4 months- with three "almost" adoptions that fell through when those folks decided on different horses. Meanwhile, he patiently waited for his turn. Ray and Beth, event riders and trainers, called looking for a nice horse they could bring along and eventually resell to a student. They saw Red, rode him for about 20 minutes and knew he was what they were looking for. His initial vet exam was good except for a positive in his one hock. Since he had been sound, we figured he must have wrenched something. The vet came back five days later and he passed his flexion. We took some hock xrays just to be sure, and all came back clean.
He finally went home yesterday!

Update November 1, 2004:

Hi everyone!
I just wanted to give you an update on Reds Ready. I’m a working student for Ray and Beth Wheeler, and I had been looking for a new horse for a while on and off. Reds came in, and after some reschooling by Ray, they started to have me ride him. He was SO willing to do anything you asked! About 2 weeks ago, my parents and I bought him. He will stay at Ray and Beth's farm, with my other horse.

He's gained a lot of weight, and is getting stronger and calmer every day. Last weekend he went to his first horse show. He was awesome! He stayed relaxed, and seemed to really enjoy himself. He did the walk trot class really well, and won his 18" class, his very first jumping course he had ever done! He got a second and another first in his other 2 jumping classes at 2'.

Tomorrow he is going to his first combined test, so we'll have to see how his dressage goes! As he will hopefully be an event horse, his first event is scheduled for mid November, where he'll go Beginner Novice. He is such a wonderful, smart, and athletic horse. I love him! Thank you guys and keep up the good work!
Katie D.

Update August 2006:

It's been quite a while since I've updated you guys on Reds Ready. He's been doing wonderfully! We've been working with (in addition to Ray) Stephen Bradley on jumping, and Susan Graham White on dressage, and they both love him! Susan told me "never ever sell this horse." We feel the same way about him. Last year he went out and did a few novices, until a couple of pulled shoes got in the way and kept us from showing for a few months. (It's always something with horses, isn't it?)

This season he came out strong, doing a novice and then moving right up to training level. We've done 3 trainings sucessfully, and since we all feel that he is ready to move up, he will go to his first Prelim this weekend at Waredaca! Pending all things go well this weekend, he will go to Marlborough at Prelim and them to the Waredaca Training 3Day in October in preparation for a 1* in the spring. So exciting!

Everything has been going quite well, and we have room for another horse, and naturally we thought of you at MidAtlantic. If you happen to get anything in or have anything now that you think might be a nice event prospect, please drop us an email or give us a call.

It would need to be a gelding, no soundness issues or previous injuries, good mover, preferably 4 or 5 years old. We are looking to purchase sometime between now and December, the sooner the better! Take care, thanks again for doing such a great job with the horses and of course for finding Reds!

Katie Domino

Update April 2008:

Hi Bev,

Just updating you on Reds again, he's doing great, as always! He went down to Aiken, SC with us again this winter and was 3rd at Pine Top and 4th at Sporting Days. Recently, he was 4th at Morven Park at Preliminary, and will do his first Intermediate at Plantation Field on the 12th of April. Very exciting! I attached the links to some of his recent pictures so you all can see him :-) He just canters around Preliminary!

Katie

Morven Park

Pine Top

Sporting Days

Update April 2008:

Pics of Reds Ready competing Intermediate at the Fair Hill Spring Recognized Horse Trials. Kate has brought him along so beautifully, he has several placings at this level already- watching the warm up for dressage we could not have picked out which horse came from the kill pen !

Glitter and Charm, b.g. 2000, 16.0h.

Glitter and Charm had quite a few people interested in him. Melissa from NJ called looking for a new horse to show, hack, and just plain play with. She wanted to have the horse vetted before coming down- that way she could just bring truck and trailer and pick up her new buddy. She had been interested in Corrider's Choice but his vet check revealed a bad knee. She then asked who else might work for her. We told her about the other horses and she decided that she liked GC. He passed the vet check with flying colors. Melissa was so excited, she made arrangements to bring him home sight unseen. Because she had years of experience and GC was such a even tempered guy, the adoption happened. He shipped home on Sunday, spent Monday snoozing in three feet of clean straw at his new barn, and then Tuesday got off to a great start with Melissa and her trainer. Melissa has nicknamed him Bling Bling (Glitter & Charm, get it?) and is so excited to be back in the saddle!

Update:

Hello Bev, I just wanted to give you the update on Bling-Bling, he has been such a great horse - I love him so much, he is spoiled rotten as it should be!! We had recently started cantering and he has a terrific stride and he even gets his leads right!!!  Last week he popped a cherry splint so he will have the next few weeks off until it is completely gone. He has an amazing personality and we get along like old friends - he is growing so he sleeps a lot - I have found him snoring a few times!!!  He is very kind and he makes me so happy.  I could never thank you enough for the great work that you do.  I have been telling everyone about Midatlantic and they are all so impressed with the gorgeous horse I got from you.
Thank you, Melissa & Bling

Update January 2007:

Hello Bev,

I just wanted to give you an update on Glitter and Charm (Bling). I have had him now for over 2 1/2 years and he is the best there is! You would not recognize him, we have put a couple hundred pounds on him and he has blossomed into an amazing Hunter Jumper. Last show season was our first and he is a complete professional and really seems to enjoy what he does. He knows he is a spoiled show horse now so he has a little bit of an attitude but well deserved. He brings me so much joy. I felt at the time I adopted him that I was "saving a horse" but little did I know it was him who ended up saving me. Thank you so much! Attached is a pic from a show in September.

Sincerely

Melissa Horner

Mr. Gung Ho, 1996 b.g., 15.2h.

Mr Gung Ho got adopted! Julie from PA called looking for a new best friend, to have as a pet and a trail horse. She came out and just fell in love with Mr Gung Ho. After riding in the ring, she went for a short trail ride and that decided it. He left for his new home last week and after running around the pasture with his new buddies, settled in nicely. His new name is Galahad, very noble indeed- Congratulations! This nice guy was a good runner and deserves to have a "happily-ever-after!" Thanks, Julie!

Sing A Few Bars, ch. g., 1998, 16.1h. by Opening Verse-A King's Lady, by Tentam. Brd in MD. 27 sts-1 win, 7 2nds, 8 3rds, $35,946-

Ashley from MD came to see our horses about a month ago looking for an event horse. Although that day she didn't find what she was looking for, she kept watching the site and as soon as Sing appeared, she called and drove the 2 hrs to come see him. Unfortunately that day he was still a bit bothered by his abcess in front and wasn't quite right behind (We had put some new horses out in the river field and he got chased around and kicked.) She hopped on him for a few moments then asked us to call her when he was better. This weekend, third time was a charm. He was fine, she rode him again, and decided to adopt him. He passed the vet today and will be leaving for his new home shortly.

Hesarunaway, b.g. by Hesabull. 15.2h, 4 yrs. 14 starts, $0 earnings.

Hesarunaway was adopted by Benny in MD (his 5th from us now). Ben stopped by to see our latest horses and was quite taken with Runaway so decided to adopt him too! Benny will bring him along and resell him down the road. Some of his previous adoptees are going to their first show at Irish Tulip in Earleville MD later this month, after foxhunting well last season. Ginny saw all of the horses last week and reports everyone looks fabulous and is going very well.

I Useto Have Money, b.f., 16h. 2001 by Purple Comet.

I Useto Have Money got adopted! Jeanne, the advanced event/dressage rider who adopted Cautionary, stopped by to see our newest faces. She was instantly drawn to Money- that filly is just so sweet and agreeable and kind! After a day or so's consideration, she decided to adopt her too. Money will go to Jeanne's beautiful farm in Earleville where she will start reschooling, and then be resold. Someone will be very lucky to get this girl down the road. She has looks and personality- add Jeanne's expertise and she will be hard to beat! Great job!

Update April 11, 2005:
Things are still going very well with Alice. I am down to 1 lesson a week and 2 every other week ( the second lesson is a jumping lesson). She is jumped every other week and I do a little cavaletti work with her on the week I don't take a jumping lesson. She is still a hellion on the lunge but she gets all of her fits out and is a princess when I ride her. We get better every day. 

Alice definitely would make a fabulous hunter.  Chrissy and I learned that she goes around like a cow pony if you hardly have any contact.  You could put a kid on her.  When you start picking up the contact and using leg for lateral exersizes she gets testy.  We have had to move very slowly.  I just focus on being the side reins when we pick up contact no matter how she behaves and eventually she settles down.  The key is I have to ride her with very little emotion at this point.  If I react to anything she gets pissed.

I always warm her up on the buckle, walk, trot and canter.  Then I put some weight in my elbows and do a lot of leg yeild, small circles, squares and changes of direction at the walk.  As soon as she settles into my hand and leg I start the rest of our work.  She has a wonderful canter. I could ride her canter forever.     
Take Care,
Jamie

She's Some Fox, b.m., 1999, 16.1h. by Bold Badgett-Some Foxy Lady, by Something Lucky. Bred in CA. 18 sts- 1 win, 2 2nds, 3 3rds, $25,595-.

Fox got adopted! Lisa from NJ came to see Red. Lisa was looking for a horse to replace her retired guy who did a bit of everything. She liked Red and he went well, but then she spied Fox in the field and asked if we could pull her out. We brought her out and discussed her at length. Lisa is a lovely rider with a great support crew (her barn is run by folks with LOTS of track and baby experience.) We put the tack on and rode and Lisa was in love! Foxy remembered the paddock where the orphan calf had been and was still a bit worried that it may appear again, but then settled into work. They even got her right lead!! After a vet check later that week, Foxy left for her new home in NJ on Saturday.
Congratulations!

Update: July 2, 2004:

Foxy is doing great - she's so beautiful. We've been riding out in a field with COWS and have been doing some ring work. She's going to be great - she's so intelligent. I'll send a more in depth update and some photos soon.

Diablos Crown, b.g., 1997, 16h+ by Diablo-Crypitca, by Cryptoclearance.

Diablo's Crown got adopted! Emily and her parents came to see our horses, in search of Emily's first horse. They were interested in Sing A Few Bars but because he was recovering from an abcess, we couldn't ride. We decided to set up an appointment the following week and they decided on their way out to stop and see Diablo's Crown up by the barn. Bev went up five minutes later and they were all gathered around him. Emily was in love! They came back the next afternoon to ride and Diablo's Crown went very well- especially over a little fence.

They decided to adopt him pending a vet check. Later that week, they pulled a complete race record and to everyone's surprise found that he had won $108K AND had run over fences!!! Saratoga, Radnor-- how did such a horse end up at the sale? It happens all too often. At any rate, he passed the vet check with flying colors and went home to a show barn in Malvern PA. Emily brushed and bathed him all weekend and started right in with lessons. His new barn name is Latte. Congratulations Em and Latte!

Update June 21, 2004:

Thought you'd like an update on Diablo's Crown (Latte) - Emily rode him in his first show a Hi-Bid yesterday - we were a little apprehensive about how he would react to all the commotion and horses, but he proved to be one cool character. While a number of other horses were bucking around and going crazy, he just went on his merry way and ignored them.

Emily placed in two classes with him! She is thrilled, to say the least. He has gained some weight and we have put him on a supplement to keep that up. His legs have grown back in and his forelock is looking good too. He's turning into a really handsome fellow. Emily will be working with him every day now that school is out - I'm sure we'll see even more progress as the summer goes on.

Hope all is well with you two.
Melinda

Sept 2006

Sept 2006

Pantandroar, 6 yr old 16.0+ dark bay filly, by Roar-Pentagram by Raise A Native.

Sheila from PA had been horseless for a bit more than a year when her old friend had to be put down. She was looking for a sensible horse to live in her back field, to hack with friends, and just have fun with. In addition, because of regularly visiting grandchildren, she needed a kind, sensible horse. She and her husband came down and Pantandroar caught her eye. In spite of the fact it was a very windy day, we tacked her up and she was very good. We decided to schedule one more visit to make sure. The next weekend was even colder and windier, but we still rode. Pantandroar was a bit more silly initially but settled right to work. They walked, trotted, cantered, and even did some x's and that was it! She passed the vet check last week and should be going to her new home shortly.

Update April 11, 2005:
Sal is doing well. Tom sees her every 6 weeks or so to do her feet. She has put on an amazing amount of weight. She and Sheila hack all over the Marshallton area and are now jumping! Great job!

Blue's Prospecter, Bay gelding, 16.1+ and GROWING, just turned 4.

Blue was adopted! Eileen from Great Falls VA called about Ollie just after he was adopted. She then went back to our site and saw Blue's picture and called back. We discussed his injury and his future. She wanted to meet him so we brought him back to the farm to start his rehab. We put him out in the big river field with the girls and his leg was stayed clean and cold, although he did get a little more sore- not unexpected. We also started him in work- walk/trot cross country. He was perfect from the first day on- quiet and well behaved- he really liked the attention.

Eileen and her daughter drove up over the weekend to meet Blue. They watched him go, then Eileen got on. He was just as good. After some more discussion about the rehab he will need, they decided to adopt him! We are thrilled, we couldn't ask for a more perfect situation. Eileen is committed and knowledgeable.

At the beginning of April, Blue will move to VA and live in a quiet barn near the large state park, very close to Eileen's house. They will spend lots of time with quiet slow hacking so Blue's ankle can get stronger and Eileen can get back in riding shape. Eventually maybe even Eileen's husband John will get back in the saddle too! Congratulations and thank you for giving such a nice horse a chance!

Update January 2005:

Cautionary, b.m., 16.1h, 1999 by Jeblar-Cautivante by Hostage. 34 starts-3-2-5 $42,846

Jeanne came today to pay the balance of Red's adoption fee and arrange to pick him up- and Cautionary caught her eye once again. We pulled her out and did our little quiet wa

Jeanne has always been a mare person and after much consideration asked if she could adopt Cautionary instead. Cautionary is not nearly as far along as Red and would not be as quick or easy a resale but Jeanne's heart was there and that is the most important thing! (And she may not resell her new horse anyway..........)

Sooo, we are pleased to announce that Cautionary is now adopted (going home on Monday AM) and Red is once again available. This will work out well for Cautionary bc she will thrive with a stall and the special attention she will get at Jeanne's. We probably won't recognize her by May! Congratulations!

Update June 21, 2004:

Clear Day! PC gets stronger (and prettier), and kinder, and less race trackey with every ride. She still feels like she has a leg at each corner which impressed me so much the first time I rode her -- even as poor as she was. Light with great balance. (I think she may be windy, but that can be fixed if need be at a later date.)

Anyway, yesterday after I had done my 20 minutes of flat work in the indoor, I went out to the jumping field where I had set up a course of x's. Now, understand when I first presented cavelletti to her about a month after I got her, she was totally baffled, and got all nervous and ran backwards, and all of that. She figured it out quickly, though...Anyway, the first "jump" she did not swerve to avoid it, did leave her hind end (to be expected), but did not invert on landing. Did it again; she did the same thing. Went to a different x , and she actually rounded and jumped it; ended up "jumping" a whole little course of 8 x's. VERY COOL!..Then on our hack (she used to root, and fuss, and spin when I got too far away from the herd), she was nice and quiet, so on the way home, I asked her to gallop a bit -- which I have not done before. She was kind about it, and a bit confused (that we were going so slow, and we were out in the open, and she was alone), but she was terriffic!

I am VERY happy! I said I would give her until 1 July before I knew in which direction she wanted to go and what she was capable of. Think we are ahead of schedule. VERY pleased! Wonderful horse!
THANKS from both of us, for enabling our lives to intertwine!

Jeanne Davis
Wind Horse Offering

Update August 2004:

Look at Cautionary (now called Who's Cautious!! - photo on the right) and her proud mom Jeanne Davis, of Wind Horse Offering, in Earleville MD. It is hard to believe this is the same weak, poor mare who almost died last December after a bad shot given prior to the auction! She is really coming along and just may be Jeanne's next advanced horse!

Ollie, 16.0h 7 yr grey TB gelding.

When Ollie came in, we knew he needed a certain type of rider and training program- a rider who was soft, sensitive, and able to put the time in-- and a program that went back to basics, concentrating on correct flatwork. Heather and her trainer Carlotta had been looking for a that special first horse for some time but nothing had worked out.

When Ollie came in, we contacted Carlotta and explained his situation and asked if she thought that Heather might suit. They came that week to meet him and see- and they loved him! Unfortunately, when we rode him, Ollie was off in the right front- some heat around his coronet band pointed to a possible abcess. A week and a farrier check later and he was fine- so Heather came back to ride again.

This time Ollie was a bit more worried at first, but Heather rode him through it beautifully. After a vet exam later that week at Dr Riddle's, Ollie went home! So far all is well- they put him back in a fat snaffle and have been doing the needed quiet walk trot flat work. Heather's parents report Heather is thrilled to finally have her own horse, and I am sure Ollie is happy to have his own horse crazy teenage girl!

Update: May 5, 2004

Happy- ch TB m, 18 yrs, 15.1 h.

Adopted through www.angelacreshorsehavenrescue.com and now in his forever home!

One of our adopters, Jo Deibel has started her own rescue! She has Maddie, Tilly and Pumping Iron at home, and was haunted by the fate that so many horses meet at the slaughterhouse. She and her neighbor Patty decided to do something as well and started Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue .

They are located near Hanover, PA and already have some very nice horses. We sent Happy out to them to adopt out. We found that most of the folks who come to us are looking TB's just off the track, ready to start new jobs. Happy is a nice mare, but she is older and really just wants to go cross country. Happy will help Jo and Patty get started and it frees up a space here for our young rescues. We also helped Jo and Patty rescue two others from the killer pen- Candy, a 16+ hand 12 yr old elegant ch TB mare, and Black Jack, a small, kind grade 8 yr old gelding.

Check out their website, email them at aahhr@yahoo.com, or call 717-225-3212.

Daddy's Destiny, ch f. 4 yrs, 15h. by Western Echo-Caroline's Henry, by Norquestor.

This pretty chestnut filly has a blaze and four white socks- quite the fancy girl! She is the sweetest, quietest filly. At the sale she just kept rubbing her head against us whenever we were nearby. An old friend and adopter (Young Lord & Mr Nick Nack) stopped at the sale the same day we bought her. Jodi met the filly and couldn't stop thinking about her. She decided to adopt her as soon as she got out of quarantine, without riding her even. They will use her as a pony broodmare for now and when daughter Taylor outgrows her pony, perhaps Rose, as she is now called, will suit. She sure is quiet enough and is right at home in NJ. Congratulations!

Gentleman Ed - Dk B. G, close to 16h, just turned 5, by Dixie Power.

Gentleman Ed got adopted. Benny has adopted three from us so far (Outta Print, Earl Who, Big Jim) and has loved each and every one. (He has a ten stall barn so there is plenty of room.) He came to see Ed and was taken by his flashy good looks and easy going personality. At first he was thinking that perhaps he wasn't big enough, but since Ed was so solidly built and such a good guy, he decided to go ahead and bring him home too! His trainer Leslie will get Ed going and jumping as soon as the weather breaks- they plan to show all of their horses this spring.

Storm Condition, ch g. 4 yrs, 15.3+ by Future Storm- Warsaw Ballerina by Key to the Mint.

Stormy got adopted! Candy saw his picture in Pet Tales. She wasn't sure she was quite ready for a new horse after just losing her old friend in an pasture accident, but just came to look. The two hit it off right away and Stormy was his quiet kind self on an extremely cold and windy day. Candy came back a week later with a friend who also gave him the thumbs up.

He passed his vet check at Unionville Equine although there was some discussion about his toe-in and slightly mismatched front feet. We were able to resolve everything and he went home! He will be living on a lovley farm just over the border in Lancaster County where he and Candy will hack, jump, and maybe even hunt.

We know Stormy will love the attention he will get from Candy and her family- he is like a big puppy when it comes down to it. Congratulations!

Update February 17, 2004:

Bev and Ginny,

Storm's new name is Rudy.  It took a couple weeks to come up with a name that suited him.  HE IS A BIG PUPPY!!  I have a black lab who walks to barn with me everyday and the two of them compete for attention.  It took me awhile to get used to his personality. 

I have been very busy packing up two houses and getting ready for the sale of one house.  I wasn't spending much time with Rudy.  Imagine my surprise when I was up at the barn getting ready to put Rudy in for the night and he tried to charge me!  I was shocked because it had come out of the blue. 

I thought about it all night and realized that he was bored and needed more attention and structure.  So we have a routine. Every morning I fuss over him after he eats and then give him a carrot and turn him out.  Every night I go the barn and give Rudy a carrot, clean his stall, put him on the crosstie, groom him, put his blanket on and then feed him. Rudy has thrived on this new schedule. 

Within two days, he had the schedule down and I began to notice that he was standing at the crossties while I was cleaning his stall.  I get his halter from the tackroom (where his feed is) and he still waits at the crossties.  When I am done with the grooming and take off his halter Rudy turns around and goes to his stall.  This has been going on for the past two weeks. 

I rode him on Saturday for the first time.  He was great.  Especially since he hasn't been ridden for more than a month.  I made the mistake of bringing the Lab.  He was underfoot the whole time, but Rudy never fussed.  I even opened a gate from his back.  The only thing that he would not do was cross a paved road.  I had to lead him across but the passing cars did not faze him. 

I am very happy with his progress and his attitude.  He looks great, he's getting a shine and filling out.  His feet have not grown much.  I think he will need shoes in the spring because he tends to paw with the foot that has the small hoof. We shall see.  

Thank you for all of your help and support through this process.  Rudy is a great ambassador for what your organization is doing.  Even with his imperfections he is going to lead a productive life and bring joy to me and my family. 

Candy

Lucy's A Pleasure, dk b. m., 16.1+, 6 yrs. Canadian Bred TB.

Raleigh and her friend Theresa came down from PA specifically to see Lucy. She had always been a mare person- we threw the tack on and Theresa rode first. Lucy had gotten so much better standing at the block, but still wanted to trot right off, so Theresa just went with her. Lucy went well but was still a bit forward. It was cold and windy but Lucy never threatened to spook or buck or anything. Bev got on and she settled and walked better and got to show off her gorgeous canter.

Finally it was Raleigh's turn. She got Lucy to really relax and give a lovely walk and trot. That settled it for Raleigh. A week later she also had a vet check by Dr McDade. She was a little uneven behind at the trot, and slightly more so after flexion, although she had always been totally sound prior to that day. Xrays revealed an old chip in her hock due to an old OCD lesion. The vet couldn't say that was or wasn't the cause of her unevenness without further diagnostics. We felt that perhaps she had twisted something on the hard frozen uneven ground.

After sleeping on it, Raleigh decided to go ahead and adopt her anyway. We all feel confident that she will be fine. She traveled home well although at first seemed a bit nervous in the confinement of her stall. (What , are we racing again?)

We just heard from Raleigh today and she has settled into her routine and even stands on cross ties while being groomed and fussed over. Raleigh plans to play around with her, and bring her along for pleasure riding and some dressage. Congratulations!

Update May 2008:

hi guys - realize it's hard to see, but this is lucy on the beach at assateague - BAREBACK!

hope your day went well on sunday and it didn't rain like here

raleigh

Chromeheart- 16.1+ 3 yr old bay gelding.

While he had been sound at the sale, he wasn't after his first night of bucking and playing in his small quarantine paddock. We rode him carefully anyway and he was awesome but still just a bit uneven. We gave him a little time off but with still no improvement in his unevenness, we had the vet in to xray the ankle. The xrays were perfect, so the vet suggested we put him on bute for four days for a wrenched ankle. With just 2 grams he came sound on the first day. We called Emily and she came to try him.

It was a great match and she decided to adopt him. After the four days of bute was up, Chromeheart was just off again, so the vet recommended rest and a little cortisone. Emily agreed, and after his treatment, had him shipped to her new home in Wisconsin.

Big Jim, ch. g., 3 yrs, 16.2+h.

Big Jim was adopted by Benny, the same man who adopted Outta Print and Earl Who. Benny, an avid foxhunter, was so pleased with those two that he kept calling to see if we had any more nice big geldings available.

Moon Sprit, dk bay filly, 3 yrs, 15.3+++h, by Migrating Moon-She's Raisin Cane, by Carnivalay.

Moon Sprit went home! Carolyn from PA had hoped to adopt her as a 4' jumper, but wasn't sure because her xrays revealed an old sesamoid fracture, probably suffered as a yearling-- and it held up fine for racing. Carolyn's friend Judi had come along when they met Moon Sprit and fell in love with her as well. In the end, Judi decided to adopt Moon Sprit and let Carolyn bring her along. If in fact the big jumper classes are too much and her ankle starts to bother her, Judi will keep her as a riding horse. It has worked out very well for everyone, most of all Moon Sprit- she is being spoiled rotten!

Pumping Iron, Ch TB Mare, 1984, 16+h Irish TB.

Pumping Iron found a wonderful home! Jo and her family, who adopted Tillie and Maddie (Secret Haughway), called and said they would be glad to give the old girl a home. She was a little nervous shipping but settled right in with her new "sisters." They tacked her up and rode her the very next day and she was wonderful! Her new barn name is "Silk." Maddie is a little jealous and doesn't want Silk to get too much attention from Jo and the guys, so tries to keep her away when they are around- otherwise they are side by side.

Svengali, bay g, 16.1h, 4 yrs by Louis Quatorze-Dewan's Advocate, by Dewan.

Svengali and April Does It went to their new home in beautiful VA- Carol had asked about April Does It (our urgent filly with the broken knee)- she has access to a large quiet farm and wanted to help a rescue horse and offered to give April a home-whether or not she could be ridden again- in the meantime after Svengali failed his vet inspection she also asked about him- she and her son hack and do dressage and jump the odd log cross country- plus she is interested in possibly starting a hippotherapy program- and because Sven is such a cool horse and has been sound for us, we all decided it would be a good match as well. Both horses left on Sunday, traveled well, and were happy to get to their new home.

Cyberdate, dapple grey gelding, 4 yrs, 16.0+ h, by Future Storm-Quixotic Lady by Quadratic.

Cyberdate got adopted- Nikki and her trainer Holly had come to the rescue to see our horses- she rode Svengali and Sir Proud and met Cyberdate but at that point he was a pending. When his would-be adopters found another horse, we called Holly to let her know. They came back and rode Cyberdate and loved him. Nikki had secretly been wanting a grey, and they clicked beautifully.

He passed the vet check down in Dover with flying colors but we had noticed a light atrophy on his right rump. The vet diagnosed an old nerve injury and although he had always been sound and tracked up evenly, the vet felt that the cautious approach would be to give him 30 days of work with Nikki and Holly to make sure he would stay 100%. We agreed, the adoption went through, but we told Nikki and Holly that if he went wrong behind in the next month that we would take him back. No one is anticipating any trouble, but we would rather be sure for all concerned.

Update: November 14, 2003

Just a note to let you know that Cyberdate (new name "Bos" is doing fine. He is staying sound and Nikki has ridden him every day it hasn't rained. He had a bath on Sunday and we are working on his fungus and scratches, and both are clearing up nicely. He is a joy to work around, his attitude is excellent as is his appetite! He seems just fine and Nikki really likes him so far.

Update: January 10, 2004

We heard from Holly, Nikki's trainer. She reports that Boss and Nikki are doing wonderfully, working on WTC and cross rails and not much bothers Boss. In addition, Nikki's parents report that her schoolwork is better than ever!