Well this is definitely my first time blogging, but I decided that I wanted to keep track of my life with Forrest and what better way than a blog! Since it has been over 2 years since I started my life with Forrest let me shed some background information on him...
Forrest was born and bred in Pennsylvania in 1999. His sire was Wayne County (IRE) and dam Sweet Ophelia. His destiny was to be a racehorse. He raced a total of 14 times with one win, one second and one third earning a total of $26,024. His racing career ending when he was 5 years old. Now his time after the track is a blur and little information is known.
But from what we were told someone purchased him off the track with the intent to retrain and resell. This person unfortunately hit on hard times and left Forrest along with his friends in a field unattended. It then turned out the individual needed money desperately so they took the horses to auction in terrible condition. His 6 other friends were easily bid on and found new homes, Forrest unfortunately was in worse condition than the rest and was last to go. Being led out onto the auction block few bidders left and only one bidder had his eye on Forrest, the meat man. Lucky for Forrest his chance at a second life was given by a wonderful woman who saw him, had no need for him, but knew he was special and would do anything to outbid the meat man. $525 later Forrest was heading home to a new life.
Forrest was purchased at auction September 2008. Between this time and the time he came to live with me he was treated with the best of care and started to slowly gain weight back. Unfortunately when Forrest was purchased he was malnourished, severely underweight, and broken down. The woman who purchased him was bound and determined to fix him up and that she did.
Forrest was still on the mend when our paths intercepted in March 2009. I can still remember placing a simple ad on the internet looking for either a rescue horse or a horse in desperate need of a home. I felt it was a waste of money to purchase a horse when so many need homes. Forrest owner at the time contacted me and got the ball rolling. She sent me two pictures:
My heart was stolen. I remember my first day meeting him. I was so nervous. I didn't know what to expect or what to think. While he was tied up I had tacked him up and it was time for the bridle. Standing in front of each other we took a moment to asses the situation in which Forrest promptly bit the end of the zipper on my fleece and pulled it down and opened my jacket. I was a goner! He had such a wonderful, playful personality and that was key to me. I eventually got on him and rode him around. We looked like the most uncoordinated pair but it was a match made in heaven. He was my once in my lifetime horse.
Forrest came to live with me in April 2009. He still was rebounding from his health but was looking good. About a month into owning him a friend of mine came to watch use hacking around and noticed a hitch in his left hind. Thanks to her we immediately called a chiropractor and was told he had a severe SI issue and it was going to take months of rehab to get him right and even then his potential was unknown. Saddened by the news I was bound and determined to prove everyone wrong. Forrest and I worked hard in his rehab program and he was progressing slowly but not good enough. He was also starting to lose some weight. It was then decided to move him to a farm with ample grass, give him time off to gain weight, and come back in a couple months. At the time, I was also informed that he had a bad heart murmur which could cause him cardiac failure and collapse underneath me during any ride.
Our First Ride
Forrest was moved in September 2009 and we got a second opinion on his health. The vets were very optimistic and wanted us first to let him be a pasture horse to gain his weight, get rid of his anemia and battle his digestive issues. Through the great care of the barn owners Forrest blossomed. I was finally cleared to ride him by November. Forrest continued to get better and by March of 2010 was cleared to work and no longer had a heart murmur. Forrest then moved back home with me to start his new career.
2012 Schelford Farm Jumper Show 3'6
Since then Forrest has become a successful show horse. We started his training in the hunter ring with a wonderful trainer and friend to help me along the way. The first couple of months or really the year was a battle of rehab with his hip. But we watched him carefully and eventually never needed Chiropractic work for him anymore. Forrest then changed careers from hunter to jumper as we soon found he much preferred the excitement of the speed and fences. He has since had a successful career being champion in many 2'6 and 3' divisions. He has also successfully schooled at home up to 4 feet!
June 2012 Thoroughbred Celebration Horse Show
In November 2010, Forrest and I were introduced to a new show series: the Thoroughbred Celebration Shows. He started as a hunter in his first shows in the Suffolk 2'3 division which he soon was offended by the height. We moved up to 2'6 but as soon as he change from Hunter to Jumper we also started him in the Jumper ring. Here Forrest has excelled and proven himself. The competition is steep but its a lot of fun with some great Thoroughbred loving people.
Forrest has come a long way and still has yet to reach his potential. I am excited to see what the future has in store for the both of us as we continue our journey together.
