Noah Update 1

Donna was able to locate the last owner and we found that she was in a tight spot and had to give up Noah (Smokey's Song) due to financial problems. She told us that when she found him, he had been so neglected that she wasn't sure he would pull through. She donated him knowing he would have a good home to spend his later years but was a little upset she wasn't notified he was given away.

We explained to her the care we have given him and apparently he had advanced thrush in all four feet when she gave him up. After speaking with her for some time and explaining the level of care we are providing for him, it was a teary moment for all of us because she was assured he was in good hands.

Donna has been diligent with his feet and his joint problems and has now gotten all but one of his feet completely healed. We bought him a nice warm blanket a month or so ago and he loves to be in his stall with his "snuggie" on and watch the world go by over the top of the stall. He doesn't have the joint problems he had while the last owner had him or when we got him now and he is a spry and complete gentleman.

She encouraged us to saddle him up and take him for a ride as he was/is a very well trained horse and a complete pleasure to ride. Not sure if we will do this but it was nice to hear about the great experience she had with him. She told us she didn't have any of his old pictures so we are still on the hunt for his winning circle pictures and just haven't had any luck in finding any.

She is supposed to come and visit her old friend and we are excited that we can re-connect her with him and allow her to see the improvements he has made over this last year.

My wife talked with her for a couple of hours and besides the fact that he is such a wonderful horse, we are learning more and more about his life... Its been so much fun to see him come from an old stove up, crippled and struggling old guy to a happy, healthy and spy young horse again.

There is just something about horses that makes the hardships we face in life fade away. As I said, I will continue to update you. We are looking forward to the warmer weather where he will slick off and get some pics of him up in his healthy, added weight state.

I have been around many horses in my day and loved almost every one I have met, but ole Noah is just a warm and loving horse. He comes to you when you call him, likes to spend time with you and will follow us around like a puppy.

He has even gotten to the point now where he doesn't take any chit from the other horses and holds his ground. I am sad that we didn't get to see him in his prime and when he was racing, but with our experience of retired race horses, this guy is the exception to the rule.

Its good to know that his senior years he will be treated like a family member and get the love he deserves. We are hoping that we will soon be in a position to buy us a place with a few acres and have him with us all the time. Knowing the age of him, I am dreading when his day does come but we are so happy that he will be with a caring bunch of folks because as we are finding, he has had some rough years up to this point.

Thanks for all the kind words and the messages sent about your personal stories with your horses. Its been really great to hear others experiences with their loved ones.