Chapter 2

I left off where I met a woman who had recently rented a barn down the road from me.  She had acquired 9 horses (if my memory is correct) who were in need of a new home.  They all didn’t come from the same place; each had their own story.  She had plans and dreams of what she wanted to accomplish with them.  Therapy horses, rehabilitation of some to move on and become riding horses…I was excited for her and tried to help out as best as I could.  Shoveled my share of manure for sure!

I have a friend who lives about 14 miles from me.  While we were visiting each other, she mentioned that a new horse facility had moved into a place not far from her.  It was called Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program.  It is a not-for-profit organization that takes in retired racehorses, or young ones that don’t make the cut to be a racehorse.  They are trained to have a new career, riding or pleasure driving horses, etc.    I knew that the woman who had the 9 horses wanted to find out how to become a 501c3, which is what PHSAP was.

So, I called the barn manager of PHSAP.  I set up an appointment so that I and the woman who had the 9 horses, could discuss this matter with her.

I was so impressed with the place!  I have really never been in a ‘professional’ kind of barn!  We both got a tour and information on how to file for the 501c3.  The barn manager also told us that she was looking for volunteers.  She needed people to also start training them to ride.

I let the woman (who had the 9 horses) know that I was not able to do the paperwork to file for the tax exception status.  That is way beyond my scope of ability!  But she was sure that she had someone who could help her!

I’m going to fast forward.   Here is the end result.

The woman did not find anyone to help her file for the tax-exempt status.   She sadly had to find another place for 6 of the horses.  The drama that enveloped her had me start to pull away.  It was too stressful for me.  I would give her advice, but she wanted to do things her way and that was that.

I contacted the barn manager from PHSAP.  I became a volunteer.  I learned a lot!  B. (the barn manager), showed me things about horses that, being self-taught, I never knew.  I also learned from trial and error.  I had to adjust training techniques to each individual horse.  I absolutely loved it!  I was volunteering during the covid time, and it kept me busy.  Contact with family and friends then was infrequent.

Unfortunately, I was having problems with my own 2 horses.  The never ending issue with farriers; Ginger hurt her back by going under the stall guard to leave the barn, I just don’t want to revisit all the issues.  Looking back, I should have spent more time with Brego and his training…I was doing the best I could at the time.  We all have 20/20 hindsight.  In the end, the vet came out and did x-rays and bloodwork.  Brego had Cushing’s, and Ginger’s feet were bad.  The soles were thin, and the wall was collapsing.  Rotation of a bone was occurring.  I know that I’m not explaining it well.  I’m tired now.

My sisters and I had planned our first vacation to have together.  On the morning I was to leave I went to the barn to do morning chores.  (my husband would have gone, but I chose to go).  Ginger was in a lot of pain.  I called my sisters to tell them to go without me.  It was time for me to make that decision that the veterinarian had forewarned me about.

Thank God for a friend who stayed with me when that time came.  If you have ever gone through it, you will know what I mean.  My poor sweet girl.