Equinevoic1
From AlexBrownRacing
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Bio
I grew up in England, and started learning to ride when I was 6 yrs old. My parents were not wealthy people and could not afford to buy me my own pony, and so I spent weekends and holidays helping out at my local stables for extra riding lessons. I participated in small gymkana's but mostly enjoyed 'hacking out' (known as trail riding in the states). I rode until my teens and 1/2 leased a Anglo Arab called Misty. My sister now has horses and I enjoy hacking out with her when I go back to visit my family. The travel bug got to me in my late teens and then marriage in my mid twenties. I did not get back in the saddle until my late twenties.
Horse experience
I had recently returned to my love of horses and took a job working for trainers at our local equestrian center. I started learning about horse neglect and the decided I wanted to adopt a rescued horse found Oliver. Oliver was born with severly contracted tendons in both front legs. He was found wandering the streets in Sring Valley, CA.. less than 2 yrs old, colt and 300lbs underweight. After several surgeries and a long re-hab, he came home to me. He was the happiest, most playful and coureagous horse I had known. Although he was not rideable, it did not matter I made a committment and I promised him he would have a forever home with me. My vets told me that he may live a long life, or only a couple of years. He was young and still growing and non of us knew what the long term prognosis was for his joints. Sadly, after only 18mths he had developed severe arthritis, high and low ring bone. He could barely walk and had developed painful bone spurs. Despite getting several vet opinions all telling me I needed to let him go, I spent the last few months of his life trying to find a miracle surgery to save him, only when I was sure I had explored every possibility of trying to help him, I had to face the reality that I had to let him go. On December, 8 2006 Oliver was peacefully and humanely put to sleep surrounded by those who loved him dearly.
I also own a 22 yr old retired race horse. Sam and I enjoyed trail riding in Southern CA, until I noticed she was having some problems with breathing and exercise intolerant. My poor gal was diagnosed with heart failure last year.
Photos
Sam taken at Our Mims earlier this year
Oliver - day he was found wandering the streets in San Diego with a contracted tendon. 11/04
Oliver taken just after his surgeries 12/04
This was taken 2 months before I had to put him to sleep. 10/06
FOB activities
After 20 years of living in Southern California I moved to Kentucky last summer with my 21 yr old TB mare, Blue Viking (AKA Big Sam), my 17 yr old cat, Maggie, and my 8 yr old rescued German Shepherd, Heidi to live at the farm of one of SUFH's co-founders. In October 07, my mother was visited me in Kentucky from England, and while we were 'farm shopping' we came across a pasture full of emaciated horses. This became known to ABR as the Harrison County Horses. It was myself and my mother who were the 'concerned community members'.
I was blessed to be able to retire my beautiful 21 yr old OTTB mare, Blue Viking to Our Mims before returning to California in April this year. Before I left the Bluegrass state, I was awarded the Honor of a Kentucky Colonel by county officials for my personal work involving horse and animal welfare.
Assist in the transitioning of OTTB's from high risk tracks such as Mountaineer.
Recently joined the board of Saving Horses Inc. but I also continue to rescue, rehab and place horses with my own funds. I also support some horses personally, and some with a small group of my friends.
My dear friend Marilyn and myself are currently helping Charlie, an emaciated Arab stallion. We have started a thread to assist with his gelding.
Charlie the rescued Arab: Gelding Fund
With the help of the FOB's we were able to raise some foods to help with his feed bill,
FOB Network
I have just started this personal wiki page and will add more names.
Lucille (Really920), I am amazed by her tireless work in fight to end horse slaughter knowledge and dedication in all areas of horse welfare and advocacy.
Lynnparks.. who stepped in and led the way in helping to find Prancer, the poor horse that was sent to slaughter..through her own sadness and tears, she comforted me through my mine when we found out he had died on the truck, and kept reassuring me that although it was still so sad it was a better way that what he would have faced in a Mexican slaughter house.
Midnight (Jen) who is always there in support of our fundraisers. There are so many more wonderful FOB's who I have got to chat with on the phone. We are such a strong force in the universe and the work done here has saved so many many horses.
Questions from other FOBs
This this space available for FOBs to ask you questions. Answers can then be worked into the above content if appropriate.
