The Value of a Dollar to a Rescue Horse

 

The expression “the value of a dollar” has been around for decades and is still used frequently in various contexts. Most often, when speaking about the value of a dollar, one is referring to the rising or falling value of our currency, or is throwing the words in a cautionary way towards a young person who hasn't yet learned that money doesn't in fact grow on trees. When we think about the value of a dollar in our current society, it really is limited these days. Times when a family could get their milk, bread or other necessary supplies for less than a dollar are long gone and realistically, it's unlikely to even find a location that offers a cup of coffee for a dollar anymore unless it's a special promotion or just plain terrible stuff! Think about it....lots of people will throw their change in a jar or a random donation can because it's simply too much hassle to have it jingling in their pockets and the value doesn't justify keeping it! Most people won't even think twice about giving someone a dollar or leaving a few sitting on the kitchen table because let's face it....you just can't get much for a dollar anymore!

 

While I understand the perceived limited worth of our loonie and know that to many people, one or two dollars really won't make a difference in their daily lives....I can't help but be frustrated with people (and even myself on many occasions) when I see these coins discarded or undervalued. Being in the horse business, and more recently on the rescue horse side of things, I believe that I really have learned the 'value of a dollar' in a way that I never had to or wanted to before. I track my costs obsessively and very rarely buy anything that isn't actually “a necessity”. I shop at places where I can get the most for my money because I know that every dollar wasted unnecessarily is a dollar I could have used to support my horses and future ones to come. Some people call me cheap....or frugal if they are a little nicer....I'm fairly certain some even think I'm crazy and can't understand why I do what I do. I operate this way for one reason....because though the value of a dollar might be limited in the eyes of most people, I have witnessed first hand what it can mean to a horse in need.

 

So what exactly is the value of a dollar to a rescue horse in my barn? Let's use Blue as an example. I can easily break down for you exactly what it costs me to support Blue's basic needs on a daily basis:

 

Because I currently rent a barn, the cost of a stall to keep him warm & cozy through the winter is $4.16 per day.

 

The cost of bedding that stall comfortably but not excessively is $1.16 per day.

 

Feeding flakes from good quality square bales a minimum of 4 times/day runs me approximately $3.78 per day.

 

To feed a combination of three different types of grain to ensure he has a balanced diet adds $2.18 per day.

 

And the cost for his daily supplements is about $0.83 per day.

That puts the daily cost of supporting Blue at just over $12.00 per day.

 

Now don't get me wrong. I am in no way overlooking the additional costs associated with owning a horse such as wormer, vet bills, farrier bills, labour, blankets, equipment, lessons or training (just to name a few!) and I am definitely NOT suggesting that you all run out tomorrow and rescue a horse from the nearest feedlot! Just because you like horses does not mean you should own one and I'll be the first one to bluntly tell you that horse ownership isn't for everyone. It's a commitment requiring adequate allowances in both the time and money departments and let's be honest, it's always a high risk endeavour. That being said, just because you don't want to live your life shopping in the $1.99 section of your nearest grocery store like I do, doesn't mean you can't make a difference to a horse in need. As a society, we may have forgotten the real value of a dollar in the hustle and bustle of pre- holiday chaos but I'd like to challenge you this.....

 

Next time you buy your second (or third or fourth) coffee of the day at Tim's or Starbucks....or go to discard that change from your pocket JUST BECAUSE it's jingling too much and you find it annoying, stop for a minute and think of what you could do with those coins instead. Whether it be a horse rescue, a charity supporting people in your community, or a larger organization reaching out to a far greater footprint of people in need, EVERY dollar counts and EVERY contribution makes a difference. Don't let yourself get hung up on the idea that you can't do anything because you can't make a big splash and end world hunger in one day. If I've learned anything from my horses, it's how to live in the moment and operate on a day to day, minute to minute and dollar to dollar basis. Blue doesn't care what happens tomorrow, as long as he is safe, comfortable and full of food today. He doesn't worry about his big picture the way I do...but I'll tell you....he will definitely notice if he misses a meal! Those in need, whether it be people or animals, don't care if you give them the world or give them a meal....they care that you took the time to notice and to give what you could. It doesn't matter what your cause is....as long as you have one and continue to support it in any way you can as much as you can. Don't let the 'grand scheme of things' discourage you from being the one who makes a difference in the life of one child, one person, or one animal and don't wait for someone else to do something tomorrow that you can do today. Those who don't need help may ignore your actions or contributions, but those in need will never forget them.

 

 

Blue- October 2013

Day 84- Thanksgiving Update

Though we haven't documented every step of Blue's progress along the way, I'm very happy to report that his rehabilitation has been positive all the way along. He has taken everything in stride and has never been anything but a very easy horse to work around. Even at the early age of three, he is already turning into a very pleasurable and trustworthy partner under saddle and shows no signs of being problematic in any way. While he works well in the ring, Blue's favourite activity is heading out into the field for a hack.... and he always makes his preference known by drifting towards the big open door at the end of the arena if given the chance and confidently marching through it when the time comes to ride outside. He doesn't spook or get worried or fret about anything while on his hacks and is always happy to go, both with company or alone.

 

 

Blue & Barry hacking in the mist

 

Being the one who has done the majority of the training with Blue, Barry has taken quite a liking to our little bay horse and can often be heard saying to anyone who will listen that “there's something special about THIS horse”. Though I personally know that Barry says that about MANY of the horses he works with, it's very obvious that he has a soft spot for Blue and that his efforts and special attention will no doubt turn the horse into a wonderful partner for someone down the road.

 

Physically, Blue gets healthier and stronger by the day. His coat is shiny now, his ribs barely visible, and his energy level significantly increased. Now that he is working under saddle and we have him back to a better weight, our focus has been on conditioning and building muscle to complete his transformation into a fit and healthy horse. Because he enjoys hacking so much, we use the gentle hills around the property to build his muscle tone and increase his fitness level. While he still doesn't have the stamina and strength of some of our other horses, he is improving daily and the work is paying off in a positive way.

 

Blue- September 2013

 

 

Blue is no longer turned out with Lena but is now friends with her half brother Stewie who has become his new companion. The two young geldings get along well and can often be spotted standing side by side in the paddock, sharing their hay. Blue is growing the typical furry winter coat of a quarter horse but still seems to enjoy his extra blanket when the weather is damp or cold. An increased feed program has added significant weight to his previously thin structure and I'm very pleased with the condition in which he will be entering our cold and often unpredictable winter months.
 

 

Blue- October 2013

Blue & Stewie

 

Sometimes it seems like Blue has been a part of our family for a long time but, in reality, he came into our lives just a short 84 days ago. In less than three months, Blue has transformed both mentally and physically, allowing him to learn and grow into a healthy and happy horse. Not just a horse....but a horse with talents and abilities....a horse with a job and a purpose. It is my hope that this foundation will give him a better chance at always being “someone's special horse,” rather than something that can become unimportant or disposable because of changes to income, circumstance or owner interest. I know there can never be a guarantee but this is my belief. It's a belief that I cling to every day.... a belief that allows me to continue to do what I do and to desire to do more for these horses in need. Blue is, and will continue to be my inspiration. He is the horse that I go to look at when I'm feeling unsure or discouraged. He is the one I examine when I need a reminder of the transformation that is possible in a horse in such a short time. He is the one I stroke when I need to feel appreciated....when I need to know that I am not 'unimportant' or 'disposable' in this world that is often overwhelming, discouraging and negative. On this Thanksgiving weekend, I am grateful that we could give Blue the chance to be that horse and that his positive response to our efforts has increased our desire to give other horses the chance to make that kind of difference.

Day 27- Reflection

Though it has finally warmed up again, a recent cold spell spurred us to find a blanket for Blue for the chilly nights and early mornings that his thin summer coat was not equipped to handle. It became apparent quickly that he had probably never worn a blanket before and it took him a few days to get used to the strange blue thing that was covering his body and following him around like a shadow. After those initial worries however, Blue accepted the blanket and stood quietly in the field while I came to put it on every night...almost like he was looking forward to the coziness that the sheet provided after the sun went down. Just like everything else we've offered him, he was cautious at first but always willing and accepting with some time and patience.

Not so sure about the new blanket

 

As we near the end of our first month with Blue, I can't help but look back and be proud of how much he has changed and how far he has come in his education and advancements. Sarah spends time with him every weekend and their bond continues to grow. They trust each other and she has been a vital and undeniable part of his progress over the past month. Blue is solid in his ground work and lunging, both with and without tack and is at the point where he's likely ready to accept a rider. His friendship with Lena remains solid and the evidence of his improving health is obvious to those who come to visit.....he's rounder, shinier and a more confident horse overall than the pathetic creature who walked off our trailer just a short twenty seven days ago. He enjoys his meals, stands patiently for his baths and always tries hard to please anyone who asks something of him. He is a wonderful little horse who is developing daily into everything we could have asked for and everything we had hoped he would come to represent.

 

 

Blue & Sarah bonding

 

 

For myself, this progress continually raises the question....did we just get lucky with this particular horse or will this type of patient and knowledgeable process work in the rehabilitation of any horse? Granted, we made a good choice in picking a horse that was young and relatively unhandled for this sort of initial project. In addition, we definitely got lucky because Blue's trusting personality and willing nature made working with him a pleasure. But those things aside, our methods and dedication to the project has produced results and this is something that I believe can be applied to any horse, no matter their background or level of handling. There will always be issues that arise....always obstacles that need to be addressed....but if one is committed to the end result, than these roadblocks will just be opportunities for learning along the way.

 

We made a difference for Blue so if we know our method works and can change the life of one horse....where does that take us next?

Day 17- Not so sure about ground driving

 

As I've been working out away from the barn this week, Barry has taken over a bit of the work with Blue in my absence. He has spent a few days saddling the horse and doing some lateral work, teaching Blue how to give his head from side to side and soften to the feel of the side pull. This training from the ground will give the horse a foundation for the future and acts as a building block for work later on from the saddle. On Thursday night, Barry did some ground driving work with Blue to begin his education around steering right and left, without having to be on his back. Blue was not at all a fan of this new activity and it took some time before he became comfortable with Barry behind him and the lines touching his sides. This is often the case when horses ground drive for the first time as the process is different from anything they've experienced before but by the end of the session, Blue became more comfortable with the method and settled....it remains to be seen how he takes to it the next time.

 

Blue continues to live outside with Lena but is always happy to come in for some attention and work. The two are such a good match...neither is overly dominant or aggressive over the other and while Blue moves out of the way when Lena decides she wants something, you can tell he does it out of chivalrous respect rather than fear.

 

 

 

Lena with Blue looking on

 

 

Blue is a gentleman through and though and as he gains confidence and develops a personality, those quiet and polite qualities remain, making him always a pleasure to work around. His size, demeanour and good nature will make him a very special companion for someone one day and I look forward to finding the right partner for him who will love, appreciate, protect and give him the life he deserves. Until then, we will do the same and will enjoy his company as he learns and develops.

 

 

 

Blue- Day 17

 

 

Day Twelve & Thirteen- Spa days & inspirations

 

Blue kept very busy again this weekend with a double dose of visits from Sarah, lots of attention from the weekend regulars and plenty of quality time with Lena, of whom he has become quite fond. On Saturday, we put a saddle on him for the first time and walked him around with the new object on his back. His obvious lack of concern for this process makes us wonder whether he may indeed have been backed sometime after he left his breeder and before he ended up at the feedlot. To our knowledge, nothing had been done with the horse but the three month black hole in his history leaves us guessing. It is possible that he just has that “not a big deal” kind of personality that is making everything incredibly easy. Unfortunately, it is equally possible that he may have been backed quickly and roughly and there are issues lying under the surface that we have yet to uncover. We will probably never know the truth but whether we're “starting” or “restarting” him our way, Blue will have the foundation Barry feels is necessary for any young horse and that knowledge will bring confidence for both horse and rider as we progress into the riding stages.

 

 

Desensitizing with the saddle blanket

 

 

Barry & Blue with his saddle on

 

Because every good summer long weekend should include a “spa” day, Blue had his on Sunday. Hanging around the barn after our morning hack, Sarah & Devon took the notion to spoil Blue rotten and brought him out of the hot sun and into the barn for some pampering. Accompanied by their jar of Horsecotti treats, they brushed him and fussed over him for some time. At one point, they decided his thick, unruly locks needed a new look so they spent at least a half hour braiding the whole thing over to one side.....poor Blue. Though he did get a bit impatient towards the end, I could tell that he loved every minute of the attention he was receiving and would have put up with them for longer if they hadn't both decided they needed to go home to nap away their afternoon.

Devon & Sarah braiding Blue's mane

 

It's so nice to see a horse who has never really had anything get so much love and attention....I wonder what he thinks of it all? Horses really are such social creatures, with such unique personalities. They are so smart, talented and willing, yet so simple if you really understand them. To watch a horse like Blue learn to trust again so quickly, it really makes me think about people. How many people, after being abandoned, uprooted from everything familiar to them and discarded as worthless, would bounce back to love and trust the next half decent person who came into their lives? Maybe some would? I know I definitely wouldn't but maybe that's just me? Blue's willingness to open up again so quickly continues to drive home the notion to me of just how powerful these rescue horses could be as a source of therapy for people. How many people out there fit into the description above? Individuals who, for whatever reason, are afraid to open up....afraid to trust again or to be loved because they have been hurt? How beneficial could Blue be to someone who needs an example to follow... an inspiration to get them started on the right track? Blue may look like just a horse to most people, but he is so much more than that. He has a accepting mind, an open heart and he operates every day from a blank slate.....

 

How many of you could honestly say that?

Day Eleven- More improvements

Blue had another big day on Friday complete with a pedicure and a new space to get used to. Barry worked on his feet for some time, and while Blue wasn't a huge fan of the process, we got the job done and made a huge improvement on his badly overgrown toes. It was the final upgrade, besides continuing to put on weight, that Blue needed to look his best and it definitely made a difference to the overall appearance. Thursday was Blue's last day of quarantine so when his feet were done on Friday, we turned him out by himself into a large new paddock to begin the process of integrating him in with the rest of our horses. Blue didn't run or carry on....didn't act silly or get himself worked up....he simply just explored. He walked from corner to corner to see just how big his new digs really were and proceeded to check out the square footage thoroughly for some time. I imagine it's been awhile since he's had that kind of space and he wasn't going to miss a thing....

 

 

 

 

After Blue had spent some time alone in his new space, we added Lena to the mix. Lena is a six year old quarter horse mare who belongs to Barry and is a member of the herd of which Blue will eventually become a member. She is the least assertive of the three so we thought she would likely be the best choice to introduce to Blue first....we were right. After ignoring each other for some time (Lena looking for her friends and Blue exploring), they buddied up and became close quite quickly. There was no aggression and both horses seemed pleased to have a new friend, travelling around the big field and eating together. They spent the rest of the day in this fashion and will continue as a duo until we think it's time to add another member of the herd.

 

 

 

Blue & Lena

 

 

Though Blue never showed any signs of being lonely or wanting to be with the other horses, it was really nice to see him with a companion and to have so much space to roam around in. Horses are meant to be with other horses and Blue settled into his role in the partnership very easily. He stays outside over night now but is always eager to greet me in the morning and definitely never forgets about breakfast! He has found the happy balance between “free” and “pampered” and seems to enjoy his lifestyle just fine!

Another big weekend ahead for Blue....stay tuned for new developments....

Day Nine & Ten- Changes, Challenges & Choices

 

Blue spent day nine enjoying some much deserved time off. Even though the past week may seem like not a big deal to someone unfamiliar with horses, it has been full of changes, challenges and choices for a horse who spent the first two years of his life doing relatively little. Blue has had to cope with a lot of changes: new environment, new horses, new food, new handlers.... as well as a lot of challenges: grooming, leading, ground trying, grazing in hand, plastic bag, lunging and bathing! But above all, Blue has had to make a lot of choices....whether to eat and drink, whether to be brave, whether to try and ultimately, whether or not to trust again. Despite everything he has been through, Blue has clearly decided to trust again and it's his willingness to do so that makes this whole process possible. In just one short week, Blue has decided that people are okay again and goes as far as to lean towards me when he's unsure about something nearby, as if to say “are we afraid of that?” He is a friend, a companion and a source of enjoyment for me every day and when I watch him interact with people, I can't help but thinking how much the world would have missed out if this little horse had gone to slaughter as planned. He is a gift and has so much to teach us about second chances and deciding to give life another go....even if his story touches one person, he has made a difference.

He returned to work on day ten with a renewed brightness and enthusiasm for work. I spent some time with Blue in the arena reviewing his in hand lesson from day eight and had a much better response. He trotted willingly beside me, respecting my space and halting promptly when cued. He was light, responsive and attentive for the whole lesson and I was very pleased with his improvement from two days earlier. Next came the saddle pad....we desensitized him just like we had done with the plastic bag earlier in the week and when he showed no objection, we placed it on his back and did the same with the surcingle. Blue stood still like he had experienced this a hundred times before and showed only a little uncertainty when we gradually fastened the surcingle loosely around his girth area. After we let him stand and contemplate the new situation for a few minutes, I took him for a walk with saddle pad and surcingle on his back....no issue. I gave him a light lunge .... no issue. Blue is so cool about everything, sometimes you forget he's as young and inexperienced as he is. I put him back outside, sat there and watched him for a few minutes and considered again just how lucky we had gotten with this horse. Though I know we could have managed with anything and would have worked through any issues that came up, Blue really is so easy.....and still, someone gave this “easy” horse away for some reason.

 

 

 



Trotting in hand

 

 

 

 

Saddle pad & surcingle

 

 

 Since I hadn't brushed him while in the arena earlier in the day, I book Blue out for some grass and a brush after dinner. Unlike the first few attempts, this time he put his head down confidently to munch the grass and continued doing so until a couple of the barn's boarders came back from their evening hack. He raised his head to see what was going on and then stood beside me quietly as I talked to the ladies, leaning towards me every once and a while to see if we were still to be “standing quietly?” They had not met Blue before so they had many questions about his story, complete with the usual astonishment as to how such a nice, young little horse could end up in a feed lot in the first place? Everyone who meets Blue generally has the same reaction....I guess it's a natural one? I still ask myself the same thing every time I look at him and hope that he is a unique case, though I know this unfortunately isn't true. When the conversation was over, I returned Blue to his stall and said good night.

 

 

Enjoying some evening grass