Found at EqWBR and reunited with rider after 12 YEARS!

Coincidence, serendipity, fate, I am not sure what to call it, but after 12 years the horse once ridden by a child is found at Equine WellBeing Rescue and a holiday road trip from California reunites the two of them.

I got a message last week from a long time friend of mine asking if her and her daughter could come out to visit the Friday after Christmas.   We love company so the answer was a resounding, 'YES'.   She then told me that we had the horse, her now 22 year old daughter Katie, had ridden in her first pony summer camp when she was 10 years old.  I sent her a picture and asked if they were sure and, yes, they were in fact sure it was him.  

Danny came to us in September of 2012.   We had been asked to take him by a friend named Kris in the spring,  but didn't have the ability at that time so he instead went to a lady in Lake Elsinore. After a few months I was contacted by that lady who explained that her well had broken and she needed to rehome her horses immediately.  I felt like this was a sign he needed to be with us and told her I would come get him, so Danny became one of our permanent horses.  

He seemed to me to be in his mid 20's, much older than I was originally told, but that is not uncommon.   Judging by both his greying hair and teeth I was pretty sure he was not 17-18 years old.  Here are pictures of Danny when he arrived at EqWBR.

Sept. 5, 2013 looking tired and worried upon arrival.

Sept. 5, 2012 thin, lacking muscle tone with bite marks from other horses.

While his mood has always been good, it took a while to get weight and muscle tone back. Danny didn't seem to have any lameness issues, but needs pelleted food in his diet because he has trouble swallowing so he eats sticking his head fully out.  Not an issue with his teeth because I gave him complete dental shortly after arrival. So with soaked food in addition to his hay he is filled out nicely.

Yesterday Nancy and Katie arrived at EqWBR just in time for the dinner feeding.   As soon as Katie laid eyes on Danny, she knew that was him.   Lots of hugs and then time to meet the other horses.   As the sun was going down I suggested she ride him in the morning before they head back home.   I don't think Katie got much sleep she was so excited to get the chance to ride Danny again after 12 years. 

This morning we went out after breakfast, groomed and tacked him up, then moved out to the round pen to exercise him fully tacked before riding him.    He has never been ridden by any of us.  He settled right in and feeling comfortable Katie got on him.  

Danny & Katie reunited after 12 years.

Is it truly possible to pick up where you left off 12 years ago?  Yes, it is.  Katie was sure he remembered her and though a little rusty, followed her cues and commands with little resistance.    I have to say it was deeply heartwarming to realize this was the first horse she ever rode in her life and here she was riding him again today.  The huge smile never left her face.

She first rode him 12 years ago at summer camp when she was 10.

 As we were standing on the sidelines, Nancy told me that first summer camp is what started the family's journey into horse ownership.  Though Katie is in her fourth year of college, the family home in Norco has 5 horses, a few of them rescues themselves.  Even more coincidental is that Nancy adopted a pony named Sprite from Kris (who originally asked me to take Danny) for her other daughter so they know each other, but had no idea there was a connection to Danny. 

It was like old times.  We are sure he remembered her. 

For Nancy, watching her daughter ride this horse after all these years brought back so many fond memories and cherished moments.   It was just as amazing watching her watch Danny and Katie.  

He didn't want her to leave so he snuggled even closer.

It was very hard to say 'goodbye', so we invited Katie back anytime to ride him and we hope that during another college break or after graduation she can come back to the White Mountains and visit her first horse again and again.

I cannot begin to tell you how humble I feel that circumstances put this horse in our hands where a once little girl, found the horse of her youthful dreams and could rekindle the love after so many, many years.   Guess God really wanted him here and now we know why.

For a year with many ups and downs, sharing this amazing story with you is the best way to close out the year, thank you for all your support and wish you a VERY HAPPY 2014.   It is your support and donations that have helped make this story come true and many others.

Sending you all blessing for the new year!   

Christine

Christine Griffin, Founder & President
Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc.
A 501c3 Public Charity
760-703-4860

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Checks can be sent to PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ 85937.
We are a 501c3 Public Charity #45-2835562 so your donations are tax-deductible.

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Members of: Unwanted Horse Coalition, Homes for Horses Coalition, A Home for Every Horse program, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assoc., Fleet of Angels and many more.

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