We offer lessons, training, breeding and sales! Home of fine Appaloosas and Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Appaloosa and Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Breeders.
04/21/2025
We're not out to make a spectacle of the act of rescuing when we do it. When we brought home Schatzi last September, we documented her journey privately, but we didn't intend to profit off of it by plastering every tiny thing all over our social media for attention. Things were shared to close friends, but that's it. We felt her introduction as a part of our lives should be made of celebration, not pity.
Today, months and months after we brought her home, we're showing the difference. One that occurred over time. It was boring, as most progress is, and she did most of the work in her willingness to change her worldview and give us a chance.
When Schatzi came off the trailer the day we brought her home, she had horrible muscling on her neck and a lacking topline from incorrect riding. Her face was swollen and her mouth droopy and discolored. She was covered in bites from other horses. She was sore. She was depressed and shut down. She was defensive, never expecting a pleasant experience when she was handled. She had damage to her mouth and tongue from heavy hands. Her feet were long and incorrectly trimmed. She didn't want anything to do with anyone. But we took that chance on her, because her photo pulled at our heartstrings in the aftermath of devastating loss, and it could have ended so, so badly. But, Schatzi was willing to meet us in the middle.
Last week, we photographed her with her first show ribbons, from ASHDA Nationals. She is a different horse than the one we brought home last September. She is now full of vibrancy. She has come so far. Her posture is now free of pain and her incorrect muscling has melted off even as she's gained healthy weight. She moves freely and without soreness. The swollen areas on her face and mouth have gone away. She is a champion, and she is someone, and she is loved. She is waiting for us every morning.
Not every story is such a clear cut rags-to-riches tale.
It takes a horse that's willing to get better, and willing to trust. Just like people, animals have to be capable of changing their views if they want to move forward. A lot of horses aren't, or they are not paired with handlers that can work with them on their terms to make progress. There's a line to walk- one that doesn't rush, but also doesn't harmfully spoil out of sympathy.
It takes a good eye to see the horse that could exist, under the scars, the trauma, and the damage, when they aren't presented at their best.
Even on top of that, it takes some extra good luck to have the stars align like they did with her.
Schatzi is no longer a "rescue". She's a champion, but ONLY because she was willing to be. We look forward to seeing where her bravery takes her next.
