On my way back home I had a several hour layover at the Minneapolis Airport with my computer and a book. I got online and some inexplicable power took over my hands and I typed in http://www.canterusa.org/
This, my friends, is a "horse porn" site. It is porn simply because 1) it's addictive and 2) I probably shouldn't be looking. All these lovely former race horses looking for new homes and careers. CANTER isn't the only place for this, there is the Fingerlakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, LongRun, Bits and Bytes, the list goes on and on.
I didn't think I wanted to look at other horses for awhile but I have found that I have a huge gaping hole in my life without Jaguar Hope. With only one horse and that one needing my attention only a few times a week, I have found that I'm going crazy without a project.
So I started looking. My criteria is simple. I want a thoroughbred that is a by product of the racing industry. One that would be a good dressage prospect. This is a tough time of year to be looking because the racing season has just begun but you never know...
Fingerlakes had a couple cuties. Meet Unjammed. He's a big black young thoroughbred that has never raced. He has some possibilities but then again, his coloring is an awful lot like Jag's and I'm not too sure I can go there.
Fingerlakes also has this cutie - Testament. I just L-O-V-E how Testament moves in his video. He really likes to hike his hocks at the trot just like someone else I used to ride... He's very cute.
Then I checked out CANTER-IL's trainer listings and came across this cool dude named Delivered From Evil. He's a 16 hand 3 yr old, sound but too slow for racing. I like his coloring and build. There is another horse that may cause me to road trip over to Rochester, NY for the weekend. His name is Awe. He's a big (17 hands) black (dark bay) dude. He had a pretty darn good career racing too. His name came up on the Alex Brown Racing Forum.
With Awe, Testament and Unjammed all in the Rochester area, it may make it worth my while to check them out.Maybe one of them will call out to me or maybe that one hasn't found me yet. We will see.
Try looking at TBfriends they are all the way in CA, but he gets some pretty cool horses I hear. Many go right to fancy training barns because they are so sought after and they are all saves from slaughter.
ReplyDeleteYou'll know when the right one comes along. Testament is a cutie-pie though :)
ReplyDeleteSend me links to possibilities! There's a really cool one called Medfordexpress on CANTER-PA's site...sigh.
ReplyDeleteI wish TBFriends was closer but there are plenty in need closer to me.
Wendy your heart will lead you. When I lost my first greyhound, it killed me I had to get another one. So off to the kennel I went, I asked Bailley for her help, I went with one who's name I loved. Alcatraz Annie, well living with me for nine years is Cheyenne a small sweet and funny girl, who I love with all mt heart. Just like Hans at the rescue who I so badly want to adopt, we found each other, he is the horse of my heart. Good luck my friend just ask Jag to pick the next one out for you. :)
ReplyDeleteRenee is right--you will know when it's time AND you will also know which one has been "hoof-picked" to be your next project. My first horse--and the horse of my heart, Nestor--chose the OTTB that I've owned for nearly 11 years. He had to wait for almost 20 years before I was in a position to get another horse, but he picked a good one for me. I know Jag will take care to do the right thing by you, too.
ReplyDeleteYour heart will tell you when you have found the right one and I think it is awesome that you are going to find one in need. As much as I love to watch Better Talk Now race, I would love to see him retired to be spoiled by you!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm - Blackie sure is quick with those teeth... ;)
ReplyDeletequick with the teeth, but oh so handsome!! I know you are fan of his!
ReplyDeleteYes I am a fan AND I've also seen him in action... what a character!! Just love the guy!
ReplyDeletethat is what I like so much about him, he definitely has got character. I hope to see him in action one day too!
ReplyDeleteHe strikes me as the type of horse that would become very depressed once he was retired. He has a very strong personality for sure! Just look at him here! I shot this photo the same day I shot the photos of Ballast dumping his rider and high tailing it back to the barn. What a crowd at Herringswell that day...
ReplyDeletethat picture says it all about Blackie, for sure! You may be right about him possibly gettting depressed. Maybe that weighs in on the decision to continue racing him. I am so happy for Shake the Bank and his new career. Hopefully when BTN's time comes he will find a second career to keep him happy too!
ReplyDeleteJust love the title of this entry! When folks come to my house for the first time, I can't resist leading them to the room that I call my "Horse Porn" room , full of racing action shots. Most just sadly shake their heads....
ReplyDeleteThe right one will come along for you-- probably when you least expect it!