Jesse- Rescued New Holland Pa.- 2006/ Adopted N.J. 2008

Jesse's new year is starting out just great since he has found his forever home with Jack, Robin and their wonderful family in Jackson, New Jersey. Robin has already starting working with Jesse and on his days off, he frolics with his new buddies on 6 beautiful acres. Jesse has grown so much, and is approx. 16.2 hands now. He is still as sweet and trusting as the day he was rescued, the little horse with the little ears. Congratulations to all!

- Thank you Dave and Lisa for trailering Jesse to his new home, it is greatly appreciated!

Look at me now- 3 months later!

Since i got my shots in spring, everyone has found out I am only- 3 and 1/2 years old, and I am not a pony! I am growing very quickly, putting on weight and was exactly 15 hands in March. I have loved working with Martine Howes' because she has taught me so much. When i first started with Martine, I couldn't even round pen. I was pretty funny, and entertaining to watch. I only had 2 speeds, walk, and flat out running! I have now learned to walk, trot and canter, either while being lunged, or with Martine on my back. I almost have the voice commands down perfect- ( within a few steps) and I can even pick up the canter from a stand still now. I am so willing, kind and well behaved, I stand nice while being saddled up, and love working. I haven't gotten my shoes yet, they say I am very sound and have really good feet.

I remember being sad and confused being dropped off at that auction, wondering what was happening, then leaving there I felt safe. Now I know what it feels like to have a routine, to please, and to learn, it makes me feel so good about myself, and I show it with affection. I am so happy I was rescued, and have people who care and are working hard to give me a great future! Thank you Martine, along with Lauren who has started to work with me also.

-Jesse

July 21, 2007

Very rarely after purchasing a horse from a "killer buyer" at auction can you find information on your new rescues past. I was hoping someone, someday would come across Jesse's page on my website, and I was lucky enough to find just that. I received an email from a woman name Kathy (same first name as mine) Smith who was shocked to find our Jesse, who had helped raise him as a foal. I now have detailed information on his birth, including the history of his Mother and Sire- even his brothers. What a treat, and I am thrilled to share his story.

Jesse's story starts with his birth on March 3rd 2003, in the middle of a bad snowstorm in a huge pasture in Mill Creek, Potter County Pennsylvania. Jesse's mom was not due to foal until the end of April, his birth is unexpected and Jesse is born approx. six weeks pre- mature. I will refer to our rescue Jesse as the foal, so his story is easier to follow.

As Jessy -(can you believe it?- her name is Jessy), looks into the pasture of horses, that she will need to take into the barn due to the harsh weather, she notices that Rocky, their 17 hand standardbred cross stud is at the fence line to the pasture pacing non- stop. Jessy and Kathy wonder why he is pacing, and go out to the pasture to find a newly born foal with his mother Suzie, who most likely is a Spanish mustang (rescued from auction) standing beside him. The foal is lying in the snow. Both the mare and foal are calm and Kathy believes that Suzie knows they are there to help. The foal's ears already partially frostbitten off, he is now having trouble standing. He can stand, but only on all four of his ankles, and the snow is pretty deep. Kathy and Jessy decide that they will make a halter out of bailer twine... They do, Kathy gets on Suzie's back and Jessy hands the newborn foal to her, she carries him, and they head back to the barn, which is quite a distance away. Both Suzie and the foal remain very quiet as Jessy leads them.
After cleaning the newborn foal up they realize he cannot stand on his own at all. Kathy consults her mom, (the type of horsewoman who always knows what to do), and she tells them that they must wrap the foals legs with ace bandages - not vet wrap, and to take them off for 1 hour each day. They wrap his lower legs every day holding him up and helping him try to balance himself on his hooves. Suzie allows them to work with the foal with no problems. The only time Suzie does get upset is when they have to feed him with the replacement milk, since the foal could not stand to nurse.

After six weeks of working with the foal he can now stand on his own. Kathy's mom pointing out afterwards, that for the most part the re- hab time (in this case 6 weeks) usually equals the pre-mature time, which is accurate. - See, Kathy's mom is an amazing horsewoman!

I have now found out all about our rescue that sweet Jesse (the foal). I now know why he is occasionally gaited, exactly how old he is, and what mix of breeds he is. I learned about Jesse's mom Suzie, who used to compete running barrels in the EE Rodeo. And Rocky, his dad, who has since passed away; and had never been ridden due to a bad leg injury. Also I now know that Jesse got his appaloosa coloring from his dad. Kathy and I were so excited, we talked for hours. We shared many laughs, like how Jesse will lay flat out and sun himself in the paddocks on the nice days, to how he will untie your shoelaces, and how he loved to play with her dog, and still does that with the dog at his present foster home, Jesse- always the character! It was really nice to put the pieces of the puzzle together, on Jesse's life, from the day he was born until now, his story is complete, and the wondering is over- for both Kathy and I.