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| A Gelding Down on His Luck! |
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| A Heart Warming Story of A Standardbred's Journey to a Second Chance... |
This is a story of a horse named "Chance"... A bay gelding that had once been a beautiful race horse, but has been long since forgotten about! This is a tale of a horse "saved", and the path that it will take to bring him back!
CHANCE
When we first saw this gelding, we weren't too sure if we could salvage him in time to place him into a new home.... Time can be precious and so is the cost of feed!! Could we get him going? How long would it take? Was there someone out there that could offer him a home with love?? Would someone find this horse attractive enough to take him in? We weren't sure about any of it, but when we looked him in the eyes, and handled him a bit, we found that thier was a HUGE heart in this horse...so we decided to buy him, crossing our fingers that "at the end of the day" we would find him a home!
With the help and generosity of one volunteer named Trish (from Ballarat, Victoria), this little gelding was about to embark on the journey of his life....He was to be taken from "harm's way" and introduced into a life filled with love!
Over the next few months (or however long it takes) This little gelding will be fed the best feed, groomed properly and re-educated into becoming a riding horse. And our aim is TO FIND that "loving home" that he deserves! '
Please keep checking back as our story unfolds......
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| Meet "Chance" |
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| 23rd April 2004 - Chance's Story, Written by Trish... |
I didn't quite know what to expect when the float door was opened. and who looked the worse for wear. Me, soaking wet and bedraggled from the pouring rain, waiting for him to arrive? Or Chance, who was furry, knotted and battle scared! He stood in the float, calm and patient, while we changed his halter over and the first thing he did when he walked out, was acknowledged me with his lovely big head, for a cuddle. That's when I felt the impact of gross neglect and ignorance of people towards a "used-up" ex-racehorse. "Chance" has a rather unusual facial wound in the shape of a heart on his forehead; his own personal identification for the true fellow he is...a sweetheart! Yet, he welcomed me with trust and kindness.
His mane, once long and beautiful, is now several feet of "dredlocks." His coat, which would have been glowing with health and in race condition, is now dull and patchy. I walked with him to his new paddock, through the rain and blustering winds - we couldn't see more than two feet ahead of us, yet, he walked calmly and trustingly by my side, passing goats and horses, galloping in another paddock. I introduced him to a nasty old mare, who struck out at him several times, but "Chance" was too busy eating grass to notice her...just happy to be exactly where he was!
I then introduced him my two Standardbreds, where they sorted out "who was boss" for the duration of his stay.
My first impression of "Chance" is that he has a big forgiving heart and wants the opportunity to share it with anyone who will give it back. Even a goat who he wanted to make friends with!
Over the next few weeks, I will update Chance's progress on getting his dignity back to the horse that he once was!
Trish-Ballarat |
| 26 April 2004 - What a Mane Should "KNOT" Look Like! |
 Today I went to the paddocks to face the daunting task of untangling Chance's mane. I didn't know how much of his mane that I could salvage, or if it could even be saved at all! I would un-twist one knot only to find his mane would fall out as I combed it! Unfortunatley, the uneven lengths in his mane has forced me to cut it much shorter than I would have liked, but I have managed to save it from being totally "roached" (hogged). It took me a total of two hours of constant pulling and combing, and our special little mate stood there patiently, using me as his scratching pole to ease his healing scars.
....Stay tuned for a photo of the "final-cut" Chance's "new look" is beginning to emerge! |
| 27 April 2004- Love Me (hair) Do |
 Armed with scissors, mane comb, feedbucket, and one aching arm from the previous day, I set out to try and work some kind of miracle on Chance's mane. All I can say is that I was scared of cutting it too short...making him look more like a member of the Beatles than a horse! I decided to trim with the natural fall of his mane rather than pulling it short, as he was also a little sore from all the combing of the tangled mess from yesterday. I went with the pain free technique and opted for the scissors. With the amount of brushing, a new and healthy diet, and a good dose of worm paste, Chance's coat has begun to come out of hiding.Next week Chance will be having a visit from the dentist and the Farrier, so stay tuned for "Foot Notes." |
| 30 April 2004 - Things Are "Heating Up!" |
 Today Chance received his new winter rug, which will not only keep him snug and dry, but also free him from any more bite marks that one of his paddock mates likes to share with him!!
He is now looking more and more like a real horse, and not the tangled, frightened mess that he was not so long ago!
Can we find someone to love him as much as we do? The search for a permanent home for Chance continues.... |
| 6 May 2004 - Old Habits Die Hard! (We had never seen this side of Chance before!) |
 We just aren't too sure what to do with Chance and his bad habits! Trish's husband Gary just sent us this photo after he sneeked a peek at Chance's really bad "late night" paddock habits. He said that Trish may to blame...but we think that it all goes back to his bad days at the races!
Does anyone know how to stop Chance from having too many late nights of poker in the stables?? How are we going to find a home for him now?!
p.s. Chance has minimal bad habits, so we thought that we would spice his story up a bit! |
| 6 May 2004 - The REAL Update On Chance.. "feeling like a horse again" |
 Not only does Chance look 100% better than he did when he arrived, but he is also feeling 100% better! Today he greeted us by galloping from the back paddock to his feed bucket and entertained us with a playful bucking session, letting our two other horses know he was ready to challenge them at a game of "musical feed bins!" Tomorrow Chance faces the long awaited vist from the Farrier-Dentist! |
| 7 May 2004 - "Smile For the Camera!" |
 At long last, Chance has kept his appointment with Bernie, our Dentist-Farrier. Chance's teeth were actually in pretty good condition; although he did need his back molars filed to take away the sharpness. Bernie couldn't emphasize enough how important it is to have your horses teeth checked at least once a year. Lucky for Chance, his teeth hadn't deteriorated through the lack of care that he had recieved before we met him! |
| Another Step In The Right Direction |
 Chance was a very good boy for Bernie when he trimmed his feet. Once again like his teeth, Chance has good feet because they are all black, hard and strong! Chance now has newly trimmed feet and a "million dollar smile!" |
| 9th May 2004 - Saddled Up! |
 Today I decided to try Chance with the saddle to see how he would react. He seemed to accept it without fuss and was content to walk around listening to all of the squeaks and flapping of the stirrups. So far he has a wonderful attitude! |
| 11th May 2004 - Lunge Time |
 Getting a horse to lunge can be frustrating at times, but with Chance he took it all in his stride and casually walked around waiting for his next cues from me. At this stage, I was happy to let him walk and not push him into a faster gait. |
| 12th May 2004 - A Hard Days Work |
 Chance accepts all ground work and new lessons that are thrown his way and after a good work out, he gets the reward of a brush and a feed. (Two of his favourite things!) Grooming times at our place is a double effort, when one is brushed, you can count on Chance pushing in to get groomed at the same time! |
| 12th May 2004- Chance is Beginning to Look Like a Real Riding Horse!! |
 Over the past few weeks, Chance has transformed from looking like a rogue, to looking like a nice saddle horse. He has all of his natural gaits, walk, trot, canter, and yes...even gallop! Over the next few weeks, Chance will be assessed on his suitability as a riding horse...stay tuned! |
| 14th May 2004 - The Home Straight |
 Today Chance headed back to the Cedar Springs Stables where he will continue his training as a riding horse. Over the short period of time that Chance has spent with me, he has blossomed into a happy, healthy horse. Hopefully he will find that loving home where he is appreciated for the true gentleman that he is. I sincerely wish Chance and his new owner a wonderful "lifetime" future together! |
| 15th May 2004 - The First Day at Bootcamp! |
Today was a big day for Chance as he got his usual saddle up....but this time a "leg-over" too. He was a bit hesitant at first, but soon walked down the road as if he had done it all his life. Chance was a great ride and didn't seem "spooky" or nervous. We have yet to do any major riding with him...but so far, so good!! Not only does he look much better after spending time with Trish, he is alot more calm and relaxed and seems to take everything in his stride.
Good on ya' boy!! We knew that you would get there in the end!! |
| 17th May 2004 - Will Ya Have a Look At This! |
 Our boy never stops amazing us with his cheeky nature. After Chance was ridden and fed today, he realized that we must have dropped a bit of his dinner outside his yard! Never the horse to miss out, he grabbed the opportunity to do a bit of bending and reaching to get that last bit of dinner! What a great horse this guy is... and full of funny and friendly surprises! |
| 19th May 2004 - It Will Be a Sad Day For Us! |
Chance is doing very well in his new role as a riding horse, and is now being put through his final assessments before he will be ready to be offered for sale. We find him to be a great ride and very quiet. He would suit trail riding or any general hacking and will make someone a wonderful new friend! Any proceeds from the sale of Chance will go towards helping out another less fortunate horse or two. But as we will be very sad to see him go, we will also be happy to see him join a new family and get the love and attention that he deserves!
Chance will be offered for sale after this weekend. If you have contacted us about purchasing Chance, and have not yet heard a response, please send us an email. We have been overloaded with great comments on this horse, but have been unable to answer all of the messages that we have received. Please feel free to call or send an email in regards to his purchase, and we will be happy to set up an appoinment for you.
We are sincerely wishing Chance and his new "mystery" owner all the best, and hoping to do a follow up story of him and his new friend in the future! |
| 22nd May 2004 - The Day Has Finally Come! Chance Has a New Owner and Best Friend! |
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| Chance goes home with Roy and Robyn.. |
Today was a very happy day at the stables! That frightened "mangy" horse that came to us not so long ago, is now going off into a real riding home of his own! His nicks and scars are nearly healed and his eyes are bright and happy. Our Chance seemed to charm the socks off of Roy and Robyn when they came to have a ride today, and they decided that they were the people to offer him the home that we have always wished for him.
Chance will leave us tomorrow to go into his new and happy riding home, and we wish both Roy and Robyn the very best with our very "cheeky" Chance!
A happy ending for a wonderful creature! Good luck Roy, Robyn and Chance...we know that you will all have many great years together! |
| Meet "Chance" and Roy Riding with his Favourite Buddy "Bobby" and Robyn.. |
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