Senior Horse Essay Contest Winners

NWHS congratulates our latest contest winners!

Child Winner: Brandi Sansaver

"Aged to perfection," a phrase that is slightly overused, but completely true when talking about horses. My name is Brandi and I have owned horses over twenty for twelve years. I currently own a highly spirited 28-year-old Connemara/Arabian named Lady. She is ultimately my pride and joy.

In July of 2008, two unfortunate things happened. First, Lady was diagnosed with diabetes. Second of all, Lady was tragically injured while in her pasture. This was an enormous bummer, because it was four days before the fair. Luckily I have an outstanding friend who let me borrow her older, jolly Appaloosa gelding to use for the fair. Lady's condition is still improving and hopefully she can return to her busy show seasons that she loves!

Looking back upon fond memories, I remember my first show. Lady had gotten a scratch in the trailer, and she still carried my trepidatious novice self through the show.

I currently show local and 4-H shows. Lady has made me the rider I am today and is a major part of my life. I have never had such a deep bond with anything before. It's amazing. I would give anything for Lady, and know she feels the same because she completely trusts me.

My exciting riding career started at a very young age. I had an ebony Shetland pony and an Appaloosa mare named Kissy, both laying a well needed foundation for improvement. While Kissy and Pony Boy were very different, they both served as teachers, training me in a critical way.

I believe that older horses are a great way to start young novices on their way to success. I also love owning older horses because it gives them a "second wind" from being retired. So, when looking for a horse, never underestimate the value of a furry senior citizen.

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Youth Winner: Heather Shatz

My favorite memory with my senior horse was when I first got Jelly Bean, my Appaloosa pony mare. I am now a senior in high school and I want to go into an equestrian program for college. I had been considering this program for a little while and decided that I should do it. However, before I went into the program I wanted to get familiar with horses, tack, and riding. So what I did was I arranged, at my high school, to have an equine science class, so I can learn all of these skills.

Now I had everything all set, but I was still missing one thing: a horse. I looked around on the Internet for a horse, but none of them “jumped out” at me, so then I went to the Billings Livestock Auction in Billings, Montana. There I saw Jelly Bean, a twelve-year-old Appaloosa mare. I still remember the way her previous owner rode her in and how gentle she was. My dad bought her that day. I went over to the pen where she was and she walked right over to me. Our eyes, which are at about the same height since she is 13.3 hands, met. I knew that she was the perfect horse for me. She let me put the halter on her and we walked her over to the trailer to take her back to the school farm where she would live.

After we got to the school farm, we walked her down the dusty road to her new home. She got settled in and then we got the saddle out to ride her. She easily let us saddle her and get on her back. She never pulled away or resisted being saddled. Jelly Bean let both my dad and I ride her that night. She was so gentle and kind, even after being trailered for a couple of hours. I am still amazed with her smooth gait. I have never had a horse of my own before. It meant so much to me to be able to ride her that day. I felt like nothing could go wrong.

Reluctantly, a little while later, I took her saddle off, brushed her, and got some hay for her. She was so docile that she let me hand feed her some hay. I stood there in the field of the school farm petting her, talking with her, and feeding her for quite awhile. Then at the end of the night I had to leave her at the school farm. I was so sad to leave her, but I knew she would be there waiting for me tomorrow.

So basically, my favorite moment with my senior horse was when I first got her and rode her. I never would have thought that I would have a horse of my very own. Jelly Bean is an amazing horse, who is both smart and gentle. I love her very much and she means so much to me.

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Adult Winner: Kevan Garecki

In November 2006 I volunteered to haul for the SPCA when they seized over 2 dozen horses from a condemned "rescue" farm. The rain drenched us all that first night, driven by 60-70 km winds. I had just loaded a sopping wet, unbelievably emaciated little grey mare, and stepped into the trailer to escape the weather while waiting for the next few horses to be led out. I stood there looking at the saddest mote of matted hair I'd ever seen. She smelled horrible & looked worse. She showed no response whatsoever when I stroked her forelock; it was as if I weren't even there. When she finally lifted her stare in my direction, the look I got chilled me more than the rain & wind already had. The mind that controlled those hollow eyes had long ago resigned to just wait quietly for a forgiving death to ease her suffering. I tried to say something, anything, but no words made it past the knot in my throat. The days during that seizure proved to me that at times a "rescue" can be little more than an inexorable journey from misery to hopelessness.

I made that little grey mare a promise that night. I had no idea how it would happen, but somehow her life would get better. Every night thereafter, whenever I closed my eyes I saw hers. That lifeless stare invaded even conscious moments, leaving me little else to think about but what would become of her. My wife & I spoke often & long about her. We rationalised that we couldn’t look after such a needy animal, had no stall nor time or extra care. None of those excuses worked, nor did we get much sleep. We worked on an idea, the idea grew into a plan, & 4 days later I brought her home. With almost constant company, love & attention her eyes slowly regained a tiny gleam.

As word about her spread through the local horse community, we started to receive bits of information about “Falon.” We’ve learned that she is somewhere in her late 30s, & marveled at how such an aged horse survived under the hideous conditions in which we found her. Falon is nearly blind, has only a few teeth left, & is quite arthritic; yet despite these challenges she still knickers a cheerful “hello” to us every time we approach the barn. One day, as I was cleaning her paddock, Falon came over to me, laid her head across my shoulder & sighed. Right then, if there was anything else in the universe it didn’t matter to either of us. As I stood there awash in the moment, I got the distinct feeling that little grey mare & I have been places before ...

There’s no telling how much time Falon has left, but we will ensure every day will be as comfortable as possible. When she is gone we will remain, enriched by our journey with her.

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Once again, NWHS congratulates this year's winners! Many thanks to all who participated, and best of luck with your senior horses.