Silver Shadows Rehoming & Education

14/08/2024

You vs the guy she tells you not to worry about 😂😂

We do love our fuzzy Alvin tho❤️

Last post 🙋I promise 😂

14/08/2024

Tank had his first exposure off the property today, can you believe this huge boy has just turned 4 🐴

An absolute unit, but also a legend! 😍

We made today’s “outside the comfort zone” experience, short and no expectations. A nice walk, coming across a bicycle and a car, where we did some trot work both directions on a vacant area, and then a relaxed walk home 🏡

Super impressed, out and about on his own, just doing as his asked 🐴
Can’t ask for much better then that! 🤩

Ryan Balfour Racing

14/08/2024

14/08/2024

This young dude has only just commenced training with us, he had his first ride a week ago, and then waited for his farrier appointment to have a fresh set of shoes on as he was a little tender barefoot.

A great response after a week off, saddled up and off we went, just basic work today, and to get a good feel of him 🐴😍

Such an elegant dude, and comfortable to ride, for a young horse, he sure is honest and has a great brain ❤️ 👌🏼

14/08/2024

With the team from EAC Animal Care behind us we are always confident at producing amazing off the track transformation😍❤️

A team that truly endeavours to provide the best, so their clientele can achieve the best.

Their newly released electrolyte was the newest thing on our must have list 😍

EAC have been with us since the beginning and we are truly humbled with continued support and friendship along the way. Equine, k9 or feline they have your back….

⭐️did you know with each rehomed horse from SSRE you receive a 1 month supply of inside out in your welcome pack, this has proven beneficial on multiple occasions for horses during their settling in period and ones who have had a long travel ❤️

14/08/2024

😍😍Suns out guns out😍😍

The big stunning Tank having his first solo ride out and about on the roads , enjoyed watching the lambs plus didn’t worry about the bicycle rider or 🚗 🚴⭐️

Even stop to play and smell with a wheelie bin 😂🚮

Such an amazing individual and eye catching boy🤩

Ryan Balfour Racing

13/08/2024

Handsome chunky man, alert and keen to be learning something new today, and that for him was his first
time being out on the road and solo! 🐴

A green lad, and less exposed to the “raced standardbred” but eager to learn his new role ❤️

13/08/2024

Slow and steady wins the race 🐌🐢 and at the moment there is not too many slower than Alvin 😂

As honest as his coat is long 😂😂😂 this adorable boy today even rolled over to a canter, super proud of his, so relax and not fazed by anything.🙌😇

13/08/2024

Lovable Larko ❤️ The professional that loves to be working or something to do.🥰💪

Ground work and manners is 110% the best gentleman to do anything with, just loves to have a job, definitely would suit a rider who is aiming to be very active with him.

Such a lovely boy❤️

Ryan Balfour Racing

13/08/2024

Dan the delightful.❤️🥰

How can you not love Dan, falls asleep at the rail, nearly falls asleep while working him 😴😂😂

Such a great fun horse, even attempting abit more canter work in the arena.

On the list for his Forest outing before he will start looking for his new family, one to definitely keep your eyes on 🌲👀🐴

13/08/2024

The BIG and beautiful Clancy definitely has some look at me about him 😍

Having his first outing on the road and with traffic, beautifully behaved, post to come later.

12/08/2024

Storm who is a green dude under saddle, is sure finding his feet well in his new journey! 🐴

He has got his canter sorted both directions, correct leads and can hold it for quite a while, still a little rushed and learning to slow it down! 🌟
But, it’s certainly all there and his confidence has grown beautifully, reassurance goes along way with these guys 🐴💞

12/08/2024

Tiger has sure put on some kgs and is filling out nicely! ❤️

Todays session in the warm sun but dealing with the irritating wind 💨 😂

Focusing on cantering circles on the left lead, right lead he still can’t quite pick up, but gives it ago ❤️🤩

12/08/2024

With rising cost of feed and day to day life, we have chosen to keep Sieanna and Levi home from child care to learn the family trade 🤣😆😂

12/08/2024

Pops enjoying some warmer weather today 🌞

Looking great with the sun shining on his coat, Pops has worked very hard on his balance and his ability to trot and stay balanced in small half circles.🐴❤️

12/08/2024

Kash spending his session solo out and about on the roads this afternoon, quite a windy arvo, but warm enough to enjoy a well deserved bath 🧼

12/08/2024

The more we work Rome the more we love him, definitely one of the most chilled out TB we have had.

A light switch horse you can turn on for some more flashy work then flick back off instantly for enjoyable long rein walking. 🐴 😴

Today we changed it up let him trot over some poles and very low jump to see what else he enjoyed doing.

Definitely a A+ student this boy 🤩⭐️

Aaron Bain Racing

12/08/2024

🌟 UPDATE 🌟
A huge congratulations from the team at SSRE on your results today!

SSRE known “Apollo”, but now known as “Polly” aka Happy Life attending Ekka!

5th in his led class, 4th in his ridden class and then went onto win his harness class! 🐴🥰

This combination has only been together for 1 year and they are showing us what is possible with hard work, dedication and determination ❤️

We are super proud of your results and your team 😃😍

12/08/2024

🐴188
❤️2024🐴54

We are very happy to let everyone know that the beautiful “Gracie” has found her home.🥳

❤️This is certainly what it’s all about, Gracie is another of our SSRE who completed her program and was rehomed from our out of work program….. to make this all the more special Gracie’s travel buddy will be also her new best friend in “Jed”. Two SSRE graduates from off the “out of work list” off to live together.😍

Gracie will stay to do a couple weeks as a client horse while Jed does also until they leave together🥰❤️

Gracie will now call the ACT home and enjoy a life doing some pleasure and trail riding. 🥰❤️🐴

We are incredibly thankful to her new family for trusting us with finding you that special family member and so happy for Gracie to begin her new chapter 🐴🥰

We would like to thank her previous owners and trainer for entrusting us with one of your horses and allowing us to help Gracie transition to finding her new chapter with life after racing, 🙌

CJR Racing

10/08/2024

Rusty and Phar lap, enjoying carrots and pats from Jaxon, Sieanna and Levi🥰😍❤️

Memories remind us that nothing last forever❤️
We could be happy today and sad tomorrow 🥰
Time is precious and should not be wasted🕰️
Enjoy life and remember, don’t count your days but make your days count 📆

10/08/2024

❤️🙌A beautiful donation and gesture.🙌❤️

We would like to thank Energreen Nutrition for donating 32 bags of maxi soy to our horses at Silver Shadows.

This generosity was offered to us prior to Rusty and Phar lap coming and was offered to us off their own backs.

We are extremely humbled with the donation and look forward to feeding to across our horses.

Definitely worth checking out their page and maxi soy

09/08/2024

DON’T WAIT FOR THE PERFECT MOMENT, TAKE THE MOMENT AND MAKE IT PERFECT❤️

🥰WE WOULD LOVE TO THANK EVERYONE 🥰

We would like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to everyone during the Rusty and Phar lap saga,..
The wide spread of love and care along with the generosity from so many strangers is something that cannot be taken lightly and we are very overwhelmed and humbled by the power this has generated.

The original post is something we will always stand strongly by and with the abundance of powerful passages in Andrew’s post it showed a passion, one that not only should be felt at SSRE but for all equine enthusiasts. We could have played it on the low like many cases, but it’s time stuff like this stopped me being swept under the rug and awareness is made. People have finally spoke up for the unspeakable about the unspoken…. Times are tough and this we believe will be seen more commonly, but we encourage people to reach out.

A lot of people commented with “people suck” or “hate people”, when infact events like this show how amazing humans can be when coming together for the greater good, and just like any species; dog, cat, etc -one bad experience does not need to label the whole bred or race as bad.

What everyone has been able to achieve is absolutely amazing from the reacts, to feed, funds and rug donations and offers of support.

There is no expected or average cost of what this process will cost, it’s a process we have done numerous times that have cost well in excess of their rehoming fee, some up to 5 times the cost, the first time we done this when on a small scale it nearly collapsed us.

When asked “why did we bother?”
I mentioned this situationl was in as a trainer, “my horse was a beaten favourite running only 4th but ordered to have an ECG scan and vet check, thinking of the cost I asked why when he was only beaten 5 meters? not even running last, the hierarchy said he was a short priced beaten favourite. I stated unfortunately he can not read the paper to see he was favourite and could only run on his genuine ability not the perceived ability of the public and form analysis that have never met him or know him which in turn reflects their views of his financial value.”

Horses will look at other horses and not notice one is worth $100 while the other is worth $100,000, it’s only us who put the value on them.

We see a horse who needs our help, we help, we do not shun at the task due to costs. In life the basics never change only the digits.

A few days ago we were all doing about our normal lives, now we have all come together for two horses who’s most of us didn’t know, but all knew right from wrong and joined the cause. Now we all feel these two boys being apart of our families, and giving us a story to enjoy and follow and hoping they both flourish once again, giving all of us a hope in life.❤️

09/08/2024

The two beautiful boys have had routine dentals by Adey Equine Dentistry today to make sure there was nothing serious with their mouths/teeth. 🦷

No alarming issues with either of their mouths, which is great!

Both Rusty and Pharlap are booked in at Roseworthy Veterinary Hospital on Thursday (15/8) to have vet checks 🐴❤️

09/08/2024

When motivation is abit low, we can always rely on SSRE favourite “Tank” to get the ball rolling….. although not bless with multitudes of energy himself 🤣😅😆

Looking absolutely amazing and chunky, with some early winter morning shine still there.😍🤩

Such a genuine and beautiful boy, would not hurt a fly this big gentle giant.

Ryan Balfour Racing

08/08/2024

💔 There’s never been silence quite so loud 💔

There are some things in life that are certain, one of those being, for every sunshine day lighting up someone’s world, there comes the darkness of night giving some a feeling of lost hope with no light or direction.
The world itself, is a cruel cycle of life and events, where we just rent a portion of it for our lives and try to find the best in situations and people. We rely on strangers to improve our lives and in turn we should do the same for a face that we know no name for or no story….
Because, the reality is for while someone is laughing having their best moment in life, someone is also in tears with the walls falling in on them…. Looking for something that will change the next sequence of events…. For most this is just a hand reaching out.

For one of our amazing rehomers, one time personal horse and a family favourite, “Rusty (7)” those dark nights left crying have been too often. A one time bright and bubbly ginger gentleman, who helped both Chantelle and Brooke gain confidence to fly over jumps, and never forgotten beach rides with Andrew…
Those memories for him appear to many many dark, hungry nights ago.

Sadly, he was there with a mate, another fellow SSRE original, Pharlap (rehomed February 2022)… although obviously more case hardened in a retired life leaving us a couple of years now. Who knows, how many times Pharlap was that reaching “Hand” (Hoof) that Rusty needed in the darkness to give him hope and the will to keep fighting.

Neither of these two conditions are ACCEPTABLE for horses you are meant to “love” 100% of peoples eyes and hearts will hurt seeing these pics yet someone currently loved these horses. For as much pain that we all feel, it would not come close to the pains of hunger, sadness and a depression feeling… waiting for that special person to walk over the rise to feed, water and pat you… but only left to see the sun turn into the moon on the horizon over and over.

For what hides behind the visable ribs under the moss like coat is a beating heart, a broken but a once trusted heart.
“Trust is like blood pressure, it’s silent, but vital to good health, and if abused it can be deadly."

Thankfully in life, the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart and this can be just as pivotal in their rehabilitation and regained condition, they are no different to us maybe more trusting than your average human and will fight for as long as they have something worth fighting for.

Pharlap (13), was one of our originals and has always held a special spot in our hearts and the foundation of what began SSRE, he has been a well loved horse not just with his time here but prior to his arrival for life after racing.

We were made aware their owners lifestyle had changed in May of this year and needed to sell them on, with at that stage a ever growing wait list we told the owner it could be aslong as 6 months till we could fit them back in, and we were happy for her to advertise them as we understand time can be limited and life changes fast, photos we had seen were of nice rounded and well conditioned horses… nothing that would make anyone lift an eye brow…..

Within one photo message from a concerned and disgusted individual of what she had seen, the doom and gloom of what was really happening started to rear its ugly head.
Being what looks and nothing more than left to die or let nature take its toll, for all these boys had to eat was nature, wood bark etc that they could find, no water was evident anywhere for one horse. Seemingly just disregarded like yesterdays news paper, a one time dream for someone now a one time memory and apparent regret, for these two helpless souls, their life is not saved by a knight in shining armour like your child hood fairy tale, but are saved thanks solely to one family who cared and tracked us down after seeing them.

SSRE having such a large following and known Australia wide can at times act as a double edge sword, but we feel thanks to our following we were able to be alerted to this situation.

We are all too common with helping lost and broken souls, or horses in emancipated states, unfortunately 1 horse alone takes out over the 1/4 yearly profit margin which helps keep us running and not to shut down, but these boys are family….. always have been and always will be seaport of the bigger wider SSRE family network.
It’s definitely not the case of throwing them some feed and watch them bounce back, it will take a long process and a financial demand… but we can’t just turn our backs on them- for them still don’t know what they have done wrong…. Infact, they will never know or understand, when we take horses off the track we aim to teach them to trust us as humans and as equals, one time their masters and bosses now their friends, partners and families…. But who really knows how long that will take to rebuild when the damage has been felt from the person who they thought was their family and best friend.

It didn’t take long for word to spread and again our branch of followers and other families local to their location with other SSRE horses were sending support and offering to get feed and water to them.

Within 13 hours, Chantelle mum was off at 5am with a float for the 13 hour round trip to go get the boys with the help of their hero and possible life saver meeting her at the location to load up, the horses were signed over to us as rightful owners and the boys were on their way home.

Being a decent human, takes no time and costs nothing, yet it is so powerful that it can end how colourful one sees the world if misused and abused….
We the family at SSRE are truly in debt to these wonderful people, who seen these horses, not being horse people themselves but simply knew the difference from right and wrong and were not afraid to stand up for what was right and track us down, even contacting their family in Victoria to find us.

Unfortunately story’s like this are untold too often daily, because people don’t know, people don’t care or horses fall through the cracks…

At SSRE we are bloody determined, we have not had a soul or broken heart we are yet to not fix or give up on and we don’t intend to start now, 13 hours took to have the boys organised to get back from close to the boarder, so now as we see this shipwreck type structures of once loved and cared for horses, we will all wipe away our tears, be thankful these two boys lives were spared and know that at SSRE the magic can happen for as much as this all pains us now, there is nothing more beautiful than day by day watching a broken soul slowly heal and repair believing anything less than care and love is not the awnser….

Maybe it will be a warm feed and rug, one of the children hanging over a gate with a carrot for them or simply just a pat, but each day from today onwards something small is going to restore their faith in man kind ❤️🐴❤️🐴

With the small close people who knew about the situation suggested a GoFundMe to assist Rusty getting back to health, we have created one.
If you want to help but don’t want to use this avenue, you’re more then welcome to inbox or message us 💞

https://gofund.me/711fbed6

07/08/2024

🌟 NEW ARRIVAL 🌟

We would like to welcome, “Kevin” to SSR&E !

A 2020 bay thoroughbred, gelding, standing at approx 16.1hh.
Kevin was formally known as “Chase The Missile”

Kevin had 1 start for 0 placings or prize money.
Kevin is by Smart Missile and out of Chase the Rose.

Kevin last raced in January 2024, he has retired sound. He has been on spell for the last 8 weeks, he has commenced his life after racing program. 🐴🩷

07/08/2024

Lordy available and looking for the right home 🏡

Today doing an arena session, just doing some basic flat work, going through his gaits and correct leads in the canter! 💞

Safe, reliable, honest and was fine after a few days off 👏🏼🤩