11/23/2024
Please welcome Bart! And thank you Dana for making this happen.
Bart’s Story
Bart’s story is one of resilience and second chances. He was one of a group of about five horses belonging to a family whose kids were heavily involved in horse activities—4-H, family rides, and more. But as the kids grew up and moved away, the horses were left behind. Eventually, they were turned out with the cows and left to fend for themselves.
Without proper care or hay, their situation became dire. Concerned neighbors noticed the animals’ plight, and a local horse rescue group—including our vet and farrier—stepped in to help. They found the horses in critical condition, all severely underweight and suffering from malnutrition. To make matters worse, their teeth were damaged, with the front central incisors worn down in an unusual pattern. The rescue team theorized that, in desperation, the horses had resorted to stripping scotch broom plants by pulling them through their teeth.
Bart’s condition was the worst of them all. Estimated to be in his 30s, he was frail and near death when the team first saw him. They initially thought he would have to be put down. However, their determination and positive outlook drove them to give Bart one last chance—and against all odds, he began to recover.
Bart’s road to health was long and arduous, but he made incredible progress. When he finally gained enough weight to consider riding him, the team was thrilled to discover that he was calm, confident, and enjoyed walking out on trails.
That’s when Gayle, who had been searching for a steady, safe trail horse, heard about him through her farrier. Bart came to her place on a trial basis—and it was a mutually happy match! Bart immediately thrived in his new home. He relished the privacy of his own stall and pasture, with a friendly horse companion over the fence. He especially enjoyed lingering over his mash and basking in the attention he received—belly scratches being a particular favorite.
Bart’s unflappable demeanor made him a family favorite. The commotion of kids, dogs, chickens, and even a swirling flock of guinea fowl never fazed him. Gayle’s six-year-old grandkids could confidently lead him, tie him to the trailer, and even climb on his back to groom him.
The little ones used Bart in their riding lessons, where he patiently did his best to figure out what they wanted during obstacle courses. In their playful horse shows, Bart "won" every class, much to the delight of his young riders.
What a remarkable horse he was!
When Gayle and her husband made the decision to move out of state, they realized bringing Bart along wouldn’t be the best option for him. Wanting to ensure Bart would continue to receive the same love and care he always had with them; they reached out to us through a mutual friend, trusting we could provide him with a wonderful forever home.
And they were right—Bart has completely stolen our hearts! We are absolutely thrilled to have him here. His gentle spirit, steady nature, and big personality bring us endless joy every day. We love him so much and feel so lucky to have him as part of our family. He’s truly one of a kind.
We weren't looking for another horse at the time, but we wanted to give Bart a place to go. And, then life being life, we absolutely needed him.
