~~ IN MEMORIAM ~~
CTR's beloved horse, Socks, passed away on June 20, 2009. Please click here to read the eulogy that Cathy wrote and see some great pictures of Socks.
~~ ~~ ~~
Our Champions
Hi Country Phantom ("Tilly") - (b. 4/24/97) a registered paint mare, was inherited by her donor when her brother passed away. Tilly was a pleasure horse until her donor decided that Tilly needed a job and allowed CTR to train her and utilize her in lessons. Tilly's many talents include being trained to drive. Tilly's gentle nature and broad back make for a comfortable safe ride for the riders.
Crystal Image ("Crystal ") - (b. 3/31/82) a 1/2 Arabian, 1/4 Morgan and 1/4 Quarter Horse mare. Crystal's original owner purchased her for jousting, Maryland's state sport. Then he sold her to a family who participated in 4H. Crystal's donor bought her for her daughter to continue with 4H until she outgrew her. Crystal then participated in low level eventing and was reserve champion for a first year horse. Her owner then won champion adult beginner novice on her. Crystal was a companion horse when she came out of retirement to become a therapeutic riding horse. Crystal's well-rounded background makes her an excellent mount for all of our riders.
Mustang Sally (“Sally”) – (b. 7/31/95) a POA/Halflinger mare was donated by Jean Seiler to CTR in September 2008 and is our first pony! Jean felt that with her enormous charm and good looks that Sally would thrive as a therapeutic riding horse. Sally has loads of patience and loves to be groomed and read to. She is always first at the gate to greet any visitors. She especially loves when our riders take time to pat her head and kiss her cheek.
Victorious Valentino (“Victor”) – (b. 3/15/01) a registered Quarter Horse gelding came to CTR from Carla Perri when his showing career ended due to Navicular Syndrome, an ailment in horses affecting the heels of the front hooves. Carla wanted him to have a good job that was less strenuous, but would still keep him fit and active. She also knew that his great attitude, willingness and patience would suit him well to become a therapeutic riding horse. Victor is the tallest horse in the herd at 16.2 hands and he is also the youngest.
Robbies Master (“Captain”) – (b. 3/11/86) a registered Quarter Horse gelding was donated to CTR by Nancy and Amanda Lewis when Amanda moved up in her jumping ability and purchased another horse to show. She wanted Captain to have a job where his extensive background as a school horse would keep him active and engaged. Though arthritis keeps Captain from going over fences on the show circuit his love for people and interest in working make him an ideal therapeutic riding horse.
Mrs. Bigglesworth was dropped off at a farm in Kingsville in 2000. She was about 3 months old at the time. She was one of six kitties dropped off at this farm. The boarders chipped in and had them all spayed and neutered. When the owner decided to develop the farm and all the boarders had to find other accommodations for their horses, they also had to find homes for the six cats that called the farm home. All of the cats were adopted and Mrs. Bigglesworth became CTR's therapeutic cat. She LOVES people and are very friendly. Mrs. Bigglesworth is very busy 'managing' the lower barn and telling all the other cats what to do. When she spent two weeks away from the farm recovering from bites incurred during an altercation with a fox, the other cats didn't know what to do. They were very glad when Biggles returned, bare butt and take charge attitude intact, to keep them all organized. She is known to follow me into the field when I get the horses, just to to keep me on task, I guess.
Hope was found by one of CTR's instructors on November 13, 2008, on the side of the road just as darkness was falling. Her little eyes glowed as the headlights of passing cars sped by. She was so cold, wet, and dirty that she probably wouldn't have made it through the night. Her pupils were dilated and she couldn't stop shivering. We cleaned her up as best we could and wrapped her in dry towels before tucking her into a cardboard box to keep warm. We rubbed her emaciated body to help stimulate circulation and gave her some food and water. She had a severe respiratory infection that made breathing difficult and her cornea and iris are fused in her right eye from infection or trauma. We started her on antibiotics and eye drops and with a few regular meals, she has perked up considerably, gained weight and is now the Ambassador in the Tack House. She is a “one kitten wrecking ball” and plays with anything she can get her little paws on. She loves to be picked up and held. It just goes to show, with a Little Hope…
