Nancy Riding Dandy

Looks like he is enjoying his new “relaxed” life:-)

People often ask how I get horses for the Healing Hearts with Horses program. Sometimes I never know the full story behind a rescued horse, and other times I get bits and pieces of the story. Here is the story of Dandy and the young woman who felt he deserved to live.

It was a busy Sunday afternoon. I had a new client coming, who was in a treatment center, had owned horses before, and just wanted to come and brush a horse or two.

Shortly after she left, I received a call. I could hear the desperation in the voice as the young woman poured out her heart over the phone. Her words were coming fast, and my cell phone reception is not the greatest. Jessica had been referred to me from Amy at Rollin Horse Rescue. [Amy is SMART, she only takes one or two horses a year to rehabilitate and sell. Why couldn’t I be that smart?]

Jessica asks about my horse rescue program. She tells me that she works at the Iowa State University Veterinary College. She is involved in a study that uses ultra shock waves on horses. Jessica is upset because a horse that has been donated for the study is scheduled to be put down in four days. She explains that the horse is so sweet and young. [It is clear the horse has wiggled its way into her heart.] She hasn’t been able to sleep just thinking about his fate.

At this point I interject, “I bet he is a thoroughbred off the track”, and I was right. [It’s sad but true, if a race horse isn’t making money, then they are as good as dead.] I have to be totally honest here; thoroughbreds are not one of my favorite horses. They are usually very big and hard to keep, which means large feed bills. They don’t make the best “herd” horses and often have some pretty serious medical and/or health problems. This is particularly evident if they have been on the track for any length of time. Mares seem to have a better chance as they can reproduce, but geldings have it tough.

Hope for Dandy
The horse was named Dandy. He had arthritis in one foot, but otherwise he was a beautiful and kind horse about 5 or 6 years old. I told Jessica that I may take him in, especially if he could be ridden lightly and is as sweet as she says he is. I asked if she could get any background on the horse, that would be helpful once was horse was rehabilitated. She was so excited, and thanked me profusely. She would finally be able to sleep, knowing that perhaps Dandy could be saved. She promised to get back to me as soon as she could talk to her professor, and she’d see if she could find out more about Dandy from his previous owners.

I prayed VERY hard about taking on ANY more horses at this point. I knew that my HEART was in the right place, but unfortunately my pocketbook was not. I had a strong feeling in my heart that I should take this horse. Despite the pain I was dealing with that day, [Just like Dandy, I too suffer from arthritis] my mind filled with questions.

• WHO was I going to find who could rehabilitate a track horse? [Recently, due to the arthritis I’d only been able to ride sweet tame horses.]

• Would he ever recover enough from his arthritis to be usable?

• I have NO business taking another horse, let alone one from the race track. The last race horse almost broke the entire program. WHAT AM I DOING CONSIDERING ANOTHER???

I felt this was a personal issue. Should I be put down because I can’t seem to walk as much as I want? Doesn’t Dandy deserve to live?

After several desperate calls from Jessica, I realize that if I don’t get him now, there won’t be another opportunity. I put my faith in the Lord and go for bust, taking the trailer with me to pick him up. When I get there he seems much bigger and a lot perkier than Jessica led me to believe. Would he ever be safe enough to work around kids? I had hoped to use him to teach the kids how to groom a horse since I no longer had any horse trainers for rehabilitation. Only time would tell.

Adjusting to His New Life
Dandy had NO idea how to live in a herd environment or even to live with one other horse in a pasture! Like most race horses, he had probably lived in a 10 x 10 stall most of his life. After several trial runs, I came to the conclusion that he will need at least a year for his rehabilitation. Unfortunately Dandy was not able to “fit in” at my place. He needed some extra TLC, so Julie Bennett (a great volunteer) offers to put him in with some other thoroughbreds so he can RELEARN how to be a horse.

By the third week he is no longer limping (the reason he was going to be put down). Dandy runs free with Silent Run, another thoroughbred that I helped to rehabilitate. It is a BEAUTIFUL sight to see them run, NOT on a track, but in a pasture as nature intended. He is taking baby steps and Silent Run is tutoring him into rehabilitation. I believe very much that Dandy is going to MAKE IT! He is a survivor! Soon he is going to be ridden and to someday he will make a family very happy.

As Jessica said, “I can just see some teenage girl wrapping her arms around his long neck after a rough day and making her feel fine”. I, like Jessica, believe Dandy is that kind of a horse. Although he may never make me a pretty penny [I’m sure he will cost me many!] he is a horse that will make a difference in someone’s life. This is a decision I will not regret.

PS: GREAT HORSE LOOKING FOR A GREAT HOME!

Update - July 2005
Jessica and her family from California came to visit Dandy on our little farm where we held our program over the 4th of July weekend. From a veterinary student perspective, she was very impressed at the level of mobility and the obvious reduction of pain Dandy was experiencing. It may take some time, but this horse will be worth it in the end.

Thank you Jessica for never giving up on Dandy and for fighting for what you believe is right. There are some horses that you need to fight the GOOD fight for. I understand how easy it is to give up, knowing there are so many other horses to replace the one that no one wants anymore. That is how I got started in horse rescue so many years ago, with a little old pony the kids had outgrown; she was no longer wanted, and no longer used. Yet Queenie became the neighborhood mascot, loved by all over the next seven years.

Update - April 2006

Dandy Eating “Yard Grass”

The vet checked Dandy out and a horse chiropractor worked with him. He is in great shape for his retraining. He was a little nervous about the retraining, but he is very smart. He listened well and learned quickly. Both the vet and chiropractor feel he is in great shape to ride.

Dandy and Red

Who is Taller?