Almost two years ago my wife and daughter convinced me to go to the Volunteer Equine Rescue Adoption/Sale just to look and think about getting a horse for my then 13 year old daughter Mary.
We had no pasture, barn, tack or even a bale of hay.
The ladies at the V.E.A. saw fresh blood and we were done. They matched up Mary with a 21 year old Arabian, who was and is a thoughtful, kind girl with a great gait and smooth ride.
My good wife spotted a Tennessee Walker for me, but another family really wanted it. I was hooked on the idea that the more horses adopted that day, the better. So, I talked to the gent who had the Walker. He indicated he had another in his pasture very much like her. She had been in his foster care for about a year and a rescue due to malnutrition. She was loving, sweet and a bit feisty. He told me he'd deliver and if we did not want her after 2 weeks, we could call him and he'd take her back. I paid the adoption fee, sight unseen, and our adventures began.
The ladies at VEA knew of a perfect barn for us. It is a cooperative barn. There are now 18 horses and the owners divide the weekly tasks. We all feed the 18 twice a week and help each other when needed. We supply our own grain and purchase round bales as a group, but pay for our own. When it is time for Coggins or new shoes, the vet or farrier comes to the barn to take care of all 18 and we all pay for our own.
Well, that lays out the foundation. I'll add more as our fun continues. Julie is now a reliable trail riding horse. She still gets 3 times the grain of any other horse to maintain weight. We have a great bond.
I am grateful for the day my wife and daughter conned me into this relationship. Tom