Allegro, Melody, Stormy
When a past adopter found herself in need of two more trail safe horses, she came straight back to SRF. Lo and behold, she took Melody of Love and Allegro Ballad home. It seems that SRF horses really complete this family!
Linda writes:
"The horses are doing great.
In the picture we have my step-kids riding them for the first time. They did GREAT! I had Melody on a lead line just because Seth was a little nervous, but on Saturday he rode her all by himself and he is a complete beginner. She is just what we wanted for him. We went by dogs that were chasing us, a skidder and a guy with a chain saw and they did not budge. I am so proud of them!! The kids absolutely loves them and it is an argument who gets to ride Allegro! My husband rode Stormy whom I adopted from SRF 3 years ago.
I will keep you updated.
Linda, Lance and family!"
Lynn and Pearly
In another Volunteer Meets Perfect Horse scenario, Lynn Symmons adopted Pearly Diamond just in time for Christmas! Lynn and Pearly have been enjoying quality time together. Pearly has been welcomed into the family and even made an appearance on the Symmons' Christmas card. Congrats, Lynn and Pearly!
Shiloh Rummy and Sir Chip
Chip and Rummy were adopted together just in time for Thanksgiving by Donna Conklin. The two new trail buddies enjoyed a holiday ride to welcome them to their new home. Good luck and congratulations to Donna, Chip, and Rummy!
Cheyenne Taylor
Tamarie from Colorado just adopted three year old Taylor. This beautiful boy is going to start his new career as a dressage and trail horse. Good luck Taylor and Tamarie in all your riding endeavors!
Guinness and Zoe
He's the Most and Fox Valley MyLady just found their forever home... together! Congratulations to Chris and Emmy on the new additions to your family!
Breccia
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Hi,
I thought you might want a update on Brec.
I have had the most wonderful first year with him and I am so happy that God brought him into my life.
He is truly a sweet heart. He has adapted to farm life well and he and his horse buddy(my sister's horse) are almost unseparatable. And my mom keeps saying she wants one too.
Thank-you SRF!!!!!!!!
Anna
Sunset Duke
Sunset Duke was a scared horse with a dark history. He was declared dangerous and was about to become a pasture mate at the age of five. Then he came to the main farm in Hamilton where he was taught to trust people and be a riding horse. Several months later, Adele Button entered the picture. She was one heck of a rider and was looking for a challenge. It was love at first sight. As if he knew his future was on the line, Duke behaved like a gentleman and went to his new, loving home. Adele tells us he has settled well with her herd and is a joy to ride. Congratulations to Adele and Duke on a one of a kind happy ending!
Ben
I just wanted to give you an update on Ben, “Limerick Almahurst”, who we adopted from you almost a year ago now. He’s doing great, and everyone loves him, especially his best horse friend Bear, a Haflinger pony. He has 10-15 riders every week, half independent, and half with leaders and sideaides. He loves doing lessons in a halter and wandering around on a loose rein. He takes excellent care of his riders, and we still haven’t figured out a way to spook him. I’ve attached some pictures of Ben from this past weekend, when we had a harvest festival at the barn and retired our Belgian mare. All of the pictures from that day are here.
Hope you guys are doing well, and enjoying the pretty fall colors!
Anne Reynolds
Program Director
Special Equestrians
Bloomers
"Hello! I just wanted to share this recent pics of my sweet Bloomin' Along (aka - Bloomers)! A photographer friend of mine was looking to expand her portfolio and asked if I would mind getting into my wedding dress and onto my horse. Who could say no!? I never thought I'd get an opportunity to get into my wedding gown again, and thankfully 6 years and one child later, it still fits!
Bloomers was the perfect lady, even bareback with a bitless bridle (she easily could have taken advantage of me, but chose not to...). Just wanted to share these photos. I had such a blast. And I can't thank SRF enough for bringing me my sweet equine friend! Bloomers has been happily spoiled since 2001!
Sincerely,
Lorraine Storms"
Rutgers
SRF has a close working relationship with Rutgers University. Not only do they use our horses on mounted patrol, but their health and exercise research program provides a great home for our horses.
"One of the Standardbred Mares at the Rutgers University Equine Science Center Treadmill. This four legged girl loves the exercise physiology lab and looks forward to it. " http://special.equisearch.com/blog/riderweightloss/2009/09/looking-for-fountain-of-youth-exercise.html
Please note, these horses are not used for experiments or drug testing of any kind. They are put through their gaits and their vital signs are monitored for research purposes to further learn how the horse's body works. We do not allow our horses to be taken as lab animals.
Porta and Scott Baker
This heart warming email came from one of our long time adopters:
"Hello,
The SRF adoption paperwork encourages updates on the adopted horses. I am
pleased to say Portofino is as good as they come. Over the last four
years she and I have developed a great respect and adoration for each
other. When I got her, she did not seem to appreciate attention and was
stubborn under saddle. Now, it is the opposite. A fact I should mention
is I am a T-4 paraplegic. Initially it took her a couple seasons to
understand what the wheelchair was about, but after that she began to
display a gentleness while in my company. There have been a few
occasions where I have found myself in compromised positions and she
becomes cautious not to injure me.
This year I decided to take professional lessons. I have been around
horses since I was a child but I don't want to be one of those
know-it-all horse people. A person of any age can learn something new.
What the trainer did was take us back to kindergarten. Sounds silly, but
it was the best thing that we ever did. She and I are closer now than
ever. She even gets a bit jealous when my female friends visit with me
at the barn.
This spring Porta and I went to a cattle sorting practice to watch my
buddy ride. While we were standing at the rail watching, she began to
pin her ears and stretch out her neck each time the cows went by. My
buddy looked over and began to laugh. He said I should take her in there
and see if I could seperate a few cows. It looked fun so I decided to
give it a try. All the quarter horse people there could hardly believe
it. Turns out my big tall standardbred x-racer was cowy. She loves it!
In all honesty, she makes me look good. I'll send a few pictures to
share with you and the SRF gang.
Almost forgot to mention... I broke my leg and my friend's very novice
daughter is riding Porta at the sortings. Since I got her she has been
cautious and even protective around children but to see how she takes
care of that young lady is heartwarming.
Thanks for my great horse/friend.
I hope all is well in New Jersey, Scott C. Baker"
Caisson Kosmos
This was the perfect happy ending. A sweet horse with multiple homes in his past meets a hard-working volunteer who has always wanted a horse to call her own. It was love at first sight.
Congratulations Kos and Christina!!!!
Charles and Shyster
Charles Felthousen and his horse, Shyster, have been paired since 2004. They do cavalry drills together and have a ton of fun in the process. Now there's something you don't see every day!!
Yankee Dreamboat
Congratulations to Carolyn Zimmerman on her recent adoption of Yankee Dreamboat. Dreamy is doing very well in her new home. She excels in the basics of dressage already, and she has taken on a new student, Jess (in the photo above). Who says you can't teach an old horse new tricks?
Shiaway St. Pat
Dr. Cletus Vonderwell adopted Shiaway St. Pat in 1995. Shiaway won the Hambletonian in 1981. US Trotting Association has published an article about him on their website. (Click here to see the article.)