The Best Horses in the World
Haddasha
Haddasha (named after "Queen Esther") was given to us by Dana, to use as long as we need and want her, when our beloved Cheyenne passed away. She is an Arab, and as gentle and willing as can be. She likes being in the middle of everything, and loves the attention. She is 25 years old. We love her, and look forward to her being here for many, many years.
Haddasha has "Kissing Spine", which means that her vertebrae are "kissing" on her back, from her back starting to sag and sway. We use a Pro Six therapeutic band on her and she has exercises that strengthen her muscles to keep her healthy and functioning.
Dillon
Dillon was at the feedlot (this is where the horses wait to be shipped for slaughter) in Zillah, WA, which was closing, and all the horses left were shipping to slaughter. Laughing Pony Rescue stepped in and was fundraising to save them, but with so little time and notice, they had nowhere to go while waiting for adoption. Until Jenna and Zak got involved.
Jenna picked up Dillon on September 5th, 2021, along with 7 other horses in that first trip to the feedlot. ( She ended up rescuing 25 horses with Dillon). Loading him onto the trailer was her first act as the Washington volunteer for Laughing Pony, and it led her to The Whole Horse Place.
We met Jenna when we arrived at her ranch on a late evening on September 29th after driving all day to get there. Two horses were in the running, Dillon and Steve McQueen. We picked their feet in the semi darkness, chatted, and agreed to meet again at her ranch in the morning. Jenna's husband, saint that he is, rode Dillon for us, showing that he is safe and could be ridden in a halter - a must for handsy children. The decision was made, and Dillon would be going home with us. Except, he refused to load on the trailer. He backed out like a rocket ship and ran over to Jenna. He put his face on hers, and just breathed. We stood like that for what felt like an eternity, but was probably three minutes in reality. Dillon let out one big, deep sigh, turned, and loaded himself onto the trailer. It was his way of saying thank you and goodbye.
A fun fact about Dillon- the kids were playing kissy lips with him, and discovered a lip tattoo. Race horses have a lip tatoo, and we were able to trace his history. His tattoo number is D19006. His name was "Take It Or Leave It", and his birthday is April 3, 2000. He is a Quarter Horse. He wasn't a very good racehorse or he wouldn't have ended up here. But isn't that something we can all relate to? Not being good enough for the wrong thing. Dillon is more than good enough here.
You will never meet a horse who is more grateful, and who tries so hard to know what you want of him. We are so thankful for him.
Huey
Huey belongs to Taylor, who grew up with him. Taylor brought him to our barn when Covid shut down the schools, and her friends were taking care of horses here, and she wanted to ride with them. He came for the weekend in March 2019, and has been here ever since! Huey is playful and a big clown, and loves people. We care lease Huey, and love having him here, along with Taylor.
D.J.
DJ (registered name "Zippos Diamond Jim") came to us from a loving family who moved to Texas. DJ is 28 years old and would not have been able to travel so far to a new home. He LOVES people and smoochies and treats, and is a very easy going fellow. He knows his job is to just go and stop and love his people, which he is very good at. He has soft tender feet, nosebleeds, allergies, and can only eat mash, not hay. So of course he fits in perfectly and we are so thankful to have him here with us. Thank you Stephanie and Lilly for trusting us with your boy.
Cracker Jack
Cracker Jack is a pony or a miniature horse/pony combination, we're not sure exactly. We found him living in a chicken coop in Seattle, with a well meaning family who had purchased him for a cowboy themed birthday party for their kids, with the intention of selling him the next day. He was in pretty poor shape, although to be fair to the family who had him, he did not get that way in the short amount of time he was there. It took months to get him healthy again, and two visits to a dental specialist. He had a shattered jaw which healed improperly, and numerous teeth that had broken into sharp, cutting picks, which cut his mouth every bite he took. We thought Cracker was about 30 + years old, based on his teeth, but it turns out that when his jaw was shattered, the teeth grew in to fill the gaps, so there is no way to tell how old his is. The vet jokes that he is old enough to have voted for Kennedy! Cracker Jack is such a pleasant, happy boy, and a favorite. He loves to snuggle into you, and loves attention. He makes a wonderful dragon w and loves his job when we play dressup, making children happy. He is so willing, cheerful and happy, and we are so grateful for him. He's just a wonderful boy.
Kenya and Tarsin
Kenya and Tarsin were being rehomed because their owners moved to South Afrika. They have been with each other for 23 years, with the same owner, Mary. Mary was desperate to find them a home but no one wanted two older horses. Kenya is 24 and Tarsin is 29.
We were only going to get Kenya, because he was described as the slower of the pair, and we only had one stall. But, Kenya recently went blind in one eye, and Tarsin was going to be sent to heaven, and we realized that Kenya relied on Tarsin, and would be a lot better off with his best friend, so we got both of them. We figured that they had been together for so long that they could share the big stall we have. And it turns out that while Tarsin is fast, he is also very understanding of young riders and will barely move for them. We really got two great horses that day and we are so glad they are both here.
Kenya and Tarsin are both registered Morgans. Kenya is 25 and Tarsin is 30.
Gus
Gus is a 29 year old Belgium/ Quarter Horse cross. He was owned by Martin for a long time, then he lived with April, who owned Honey also and who sold Honey to us. Then April gave him to Jim and Jeri, and when Jim and Jeri got out of horses they wanted him to go to a good home where he would be loved and given a nice job. April remembered us and a match was made, and Gus and Honey were reunited! Gus is a quiet soul, who loves people and attention, trail rides and carrot, and will listen to your heart and keep your secrets.
Kiki
Kiki is a 26 year old Arabian here on care lease from Mickey and Rob. She was a lesson horse extraordinaire for them; and they thought she would like it here with all the attention and love the kids have to offer. She is here as long as she likes!
Yogi
Yogi came to us from a trail riding/lesson facility which had 87 horses. His job was to stand saddled and tied, waiting for a rider to need him. He was burned out, and defeated. The place that was selling him wanted him to go to a semi retired home where he cold have more individual attention and love, because he was unhappy doing that job. A lot of people had come to look at him, but no one wanted him because he wasn't interested- he was burned out. Done. There was no spark, nothing. When we saw Yogi, we couldn't pass him up.
Yogi has a lot of maintenance issues, starting with arthritis, even though he is only 17 years old. We have Yogi on all kinds of joint supplements and our vet gave him joint injections in both hocks. He deserved a chance, and people to love him; and a person to love. He is worth it, and he is already very, very loved. His eyes are bright, he nickers at people-he is a delight.
Chico
Chico came to us from a newly retired gentleman, Randy, who purchased him from a less than ideal home, with plans to have a companion and riding partner. Randy had him at his home to begin with, but Chico soon made a muddy mess of his paddock and was standing in mud. Chico was also alone, and unhappy. So Randy moved him to a boarding barn, so he could be around other horses and not have to stand in mud.
Randy didn't have access to a horse trailer to venture out on trails, and they both soon bored of the arena at the boarding facility.
Then, Randy had some big unexpected expenses occur, and between that, and the expense of boarding his horse, he made the hard choice to give up Chico after only having him 3 months. Besides, Randy didn't think Chico really cared about him, one way or the other. (This was untrue.)
When we inquired about Chico, Randy already had a lot of interest in him, but he picked us, because of the attention Chico would get here, and he wanted that for him. When we met them both, it was clearly obvious to us that Chico loved this man. Chico's eyes never left him, he was 100% about Randy, his man. Chico was ALL in. We told Randy this, and offered to back out of it. Randy choked up, but decided it was best to let him go.
Chico did NOT understand why he was being sold. He was so confused, and sad, and the feeling we got from him was that he didn't understand what he did wrong.
Sometimes, things in life happen and we don't understand, even thought we tried our hardest. Chico understands this.
We invited Randy to come see him and come ride whenever he can, and Randy is doing that. And Chico still loves him- they will always be special to each other.
Chico has adjusted to life here, and he does love all the attention. He is happy. But Randy will always be special to him.
Cats!
Harriet on the parallel bars!
