Tankah
From AlexBrownRacing
Contents |
Bio
One of the few Iowans on ABR - I am married and live in Des Moines. Our only kids are the 4 legged kind - German Shepherd and a rescue guy- possibly a Golden Retreiver/Samoyed mix. Along with helping run our small busines, I am a Realtor and I manage our vacation rental in Mexico where I love to travel, although I currently disagree with many of their practices towards animals. Like so many of us, I came to this website seeking information on Barbaro's condition after his break-down. I came seeking information on him, but got more than I bargained for when I learned about slaughter. As long as slaughter is legal, I can never look at a horse in the field the same way that I used to. I always think of those pretty horses I saw packed into big cattle trailers when we were driving south on I-35 north of Dallas. Now I know where they were going....
Horse experience
It started when I was 2 or 3. We had our horse Buckshot, in a stall area that my dad built at our house inside the city( we had a big yard & our neighbors didn't care). Buckshot had shipping fever and needed more care that he could receive where he was kept. Apparently I would shinny up his leg, hang onto his mane and climb on to his back. I always got to ride him to go graze in the neighboring woods. Unfortunately the shipping fever won. My entire childhood was spent riding when I could, and wanting a horse of my own. I finally saved enough money to buy Blaze - a beautiful Palomino when I was 13, after a few years I started showing and jumping and bought Dapple, a big bay Canadian TB. Going to the shows was a blast since all of my friends were girls from the barn. I was not the most serious competitor, I really preferred just riding for pleasure more than the competition. I got to hunt some, and I was president of the high school equestrian club and we put on a couple of schooling shows. After college, since I was a rider and being somewhat of a decent photographer, I had a unique opportunity to travel to Belgium and Kenya and photograph a tour that was being promoted. That enabled me to ride in both countries. I have cherished memories of riding in various places in Kenya, including the honor of riding polo ponies in Nairobi. Although I have not had a horse for a long time I have always continued to ride and love horses for the beautiful beasts that they are. Working with German Shepherds have been a good substitute but not quite the same. My husband and I would like to get another horse sometime. I've always enjoyed going to the track and watching the races. I had watched Barbaro in the Debry and saw his fateful moment in the Preakness. Wanting for more info. on him I came to TWR. If he only knew what he has been created!
FOB activities
As with many, I too was totally ignorant to the facts of horse slaughter. But no longer! I tell everyone I can about it. I have also been involved with many of the FOB rescues and look forward to the day when we can stop having to rescue from feedlots and can concentrate on helping the rescues more.
FOB Network
I have not been able to participate in any of the planned events, however I have enjoyed communicating with fellow FOB'S regarding various rescues, issues, etc.
In Feb.2008 we had the opportunity to visit Horse Feathers in Oklahoma and meet RT and the lucky horses that are now residing there. We were very impressed with the operation and the appearance of the horses. It is nice to see the rescues first hand and I highly recommned it whenever possible!
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.
