TexAltaRescue.com

Posts Tagged ‘Don’

Gem last winter

                                                                             In April of 2010 we were offered a quarter horse mare said to be ten years old.  Upon seeing her we knew that she was much older than ten more like well into her twenties.  She had been bought before and returned to the seller as her new owner was going through a divorce and no longer had a place to keep her.  She was in need of a forever home so we took her as she was with out disputing her age.  Over the summer she filled out and some of her former beauty showed through.  She provided many a ride for the grandchildren and a few for me as well though feeling sorry for her I did not ride here for long periods of time.  She is a sweet old lady even though at times she is a little cranky in her old age.  As winter creeps upon us she has now been put in a pen with six other horses that need extra feed for the winter and daily enjoys alfalfa cubes, alfalfa pellets, beet pulp pellets and oats soaked in hot water till they swell up.  When the pails are brought in I am warmly, if a little impatiently, welcomed till the warm feed has been divided between the  tubs and then of course I am forgotten about completely as they stand happily munching on their treat of the day.  Gem also has a choice of brome and alfalfa, timothy and oat straw round bales to eat on night and day.  Hopefully she and her pasture mates, Sandy, Don, Dante, Misty, Tiny and Dakota will winter well and be ready to run on the grass again come spring time.  I’m sure the kids will be looking froward to more rides when the weather warms up. 

Enjoying the sunshine

Don who is actually ‘Notable Times’ is a retired Thoroughbred race horse and came to us in June of 2010. He had been rescued by young woman who shows and competes as she had hoped that he would make a good mount for her husband, who is a novice with horses.

Don may be almost 20, but the heart of a three year old, thundering down the track, still beats in him, so the match was not to be.  He got the name Don because that was the man that he was bought from. He was just called Canner before that because he was heading to the dog food factory.

Not being able to keep more than a few horses on her acreage his rescuer had to find him a new owner. After trying vainly to find another permanent home, we offered to give him one. In his time racing Don had 44 starts and is listed on his pedigree as a winner though how many he had, I don’t know.

Don grazing on the hill

Don is a winner with us though, as he never misses a chance for a hug, and is not at all mean with the other horses, even though he towers above them. Every once in a while we will look out and see him running laps around the field, probably reliving his glory days like we all do.

He is fun to ride but you have to hang on and enjoy his speed. However, with the grandchildren on board he is just a big sweetie and is careful not to lose them. It is a long way down for them and they do feel like they are on top of the world on his back.