Horse Tales from the LOPE Ranch

Update on Catalissa

Catalissa has been one of the most serious rehab cases we've had at LOPE. In his last race, he fractured his sesamoid on his right front. Catalissa didn't like to put pressure on the injured leg -- instead, he kept shifting his weight to his other legs. He then developed laminitis in his left front.

It was a potentially dangerous situation -- Catalissa had to be kept in stall rest, to limit his movements. And we took extra steps to keep him comfortable: his stall actually has a cushioned stall "mattress," (provided to LOPE with a generous discount from Lucas and Liebe) and we would often keep his front hooves in Softride comfort boots.

After months, Catalissa was then was approved to be in a small pen, only about twice the size of his stall. Slowly, his laminitis receded and his sesamoid fracture stabilized. However, his left front still had a very thin sole, leaving it susceptible to possible abscess and inflammation. So Catalissa had to stay confined in his small pen for week after week, as we waited for his sole to thicken.

Catalissa never once showed resentment or frustration, even during the most painful phase of his rehab. He was always cheerful and calm, making us all into his fans. The other horses also like Catalissa, often crowding around his stall's dutch door to "talk" with him. We like to joke that Catalissa secretly has a tacqueria stand and that's why the horses always hang out with him -- they're placing orders.

Last week, Austin Equine Associates X-rayed Catalissa's hoof. The news was good! His sole had grown out substantially -- and he was approved for a much larger turnout area. Two of our favorite volunteers, Melinda and Tom, came out Saturday and helped us expand Catalissa's space. We tripled the size of his turnout pen and attached it to the barn -- Catalissa can now go out of his stall directly into his deluxe-sized turnout. It's quite the bachelor pad -- the other horses (especially Pogo) seem a little envious.

It was a big weekend for Catalissa -- he seemed so happy, as he walked around his big pen then in and out of his stall. At feeding time, he nearly trotted to his bucket -- after months of tight quarters, his muscles are finally able to stretch and move more.

Congratulations Catalissa!

Success Story: Tricky Storm

Tricky Storm was one of our favorite horses here. A true racing "warrior," he retired at age 10 with lifetime earnings of over $400K.

We wanted Tricky to find just the right home, with an owner who would appreciate his handsome looks, illustrious race career and sweet temperament. Recently, he was adopted by Leslie, a trail rider and all around horse lover in Georgia. When Tricky arrived at his new home, Leslie had this to say:

"Oh my gosh, Tricky is absolutely AMAZING and B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!! I still can't believe he's here!

A little recap of the day's events: He was a perfect gentleman his entire ride over here and seemed to be in a bit of a hurry to get settled and unpacked in his new digs. He wasted no time digging into his hay and taking in his new surroundings. He was quick to make friends with a little two-year-old Paso Fino mare, and seemed to take note on which pasture she was hanging out in. After about an hour and a half, I guess the traveling got to him and he went down for the count!!

He's all together too cute!! At one point, Tricky watched as I walked back and forth tending to another horse. He would making sure to whinny my direction as to say "Hey Lady... come back here and pay attention to me!!" And then a "Hey Lady, where does a horse get some food around here?" I do have a question for you... are you SURE he's a TB?? He's so docile and laid back... even after the long drive he just had and all the unfamiliar surroundings, he's a cool customer!!

Today was such an awesome day!! Thank you soooooo much for making Tricky a part of my family!! I'm looking forward to the days ahead, and making lasting memories with him. He is truly a gift!"

We think Tricky has found the perfect home -- and so does Leslie. Thank you, Leslie, for giving Tricky a second chance at a new career (and for appreciating him the way we do).

First Rides at LOPE

I don't always have the opportunity to ride the horses at the LOPE Ranch -- sometimes they get adopted too fast. But usually I'm the one in the saddle during their first post-racetrack ride. Many people assume that these rides must be pretty wild and crazy, with lots of excitement for everyone (me, the horse, any spectators).

It's really not like that at all.

For example, last week I rode Pogo, a three-year-old gelding here. Pogo's last ride was in fall 2008 during his very first race. He chipped his knee during the race and came to LOPE (read about his surgery from Austin Equine Associates).

After a very successful post-surgery rehab and rest period, Pogo was ready to begin work again. As I led him into the round pen, he pouted -- clearly he had become used to the couch potato lifestyle here at LOPE. But after some ground work and free lounging, Pogo settled into the "in school" mode. He tuned into the cues, his face relaxing into a calm, attentive expression.

Even though it had been months since his last ride (as a two-year-old), I decided to mount Pogo. Actually, I decided to "try" to mount Pogo and just see how things went. I'm not a professional trainer, so I do a lot of the "let's see how this goes" approach. Pogo had this cheerful look of expectation in his eyes -- I felt like I'd be somehow letting him down if I didn't at least put my foot in the stirrup.

Once my foot was in the stirrup, it seemed like a shame not to hop up once or twice, and then maybe even lean over Pogo's back. Pogo stood quietly, his head lowering. Then it seemed downright silly to not mount him. I was already there, hanging over the saddle, petting the right side of his neck.

So I then I swung my leg over and sat in the saddle. Pogo seemed comfortable with that and so we walked around the round pen a little. He steered pretty well for a green ex-racehorse, wasn't spooky about my legs, and (best of all) he stopped when I said "whoa." Pleased with how relaxed we both were, I decided to dismount Pogo and call it a day.

Our ride was short and completely unexciting. Just the way I like a first ride to be here at the LOPE Ranch.

AP Dashin On My Mind

AP was donated to us in January. Sure, he has a few minor challenges, like an arthritic knee and turned-out front toes. But AP has another problem – a condition so disturbing that it may scare away all but the most committed adopters.

He has a mullet.

That’s right, an equine mullet.

And what’s worse, AP likes his hairdo. He displays his NASCAR style with pride in his eyes (and says things like "that was a sweet crash, yo").

All we can do is hope that AP is adopted into a loving family that can talk chassis rolls and weight jacking with him.

A Week at Tom Curtin's Winter Camp

A few weeks ago, I went to Tom Curtin's horsemanship camp in Florida. And so did Lightening Ball and Sally, two LOPE horses here (thanks to Equine Express, one of LOPE's sponsors)

I had three other camp mates: Ginny, Kriestin and Linda. We shared a comfortable bunkhouse (just like "real" camp) and spent a lot of time laughing (and eating).

It was a great adventure! Each day, we'd be up at dawn to feed the horses and get ranch chores done. By 8:30 am, we'd be in the saddle and out on a ride with Tom.

I never was sure what each day would bring. One morning, we herded cattle. Sally was pretty excited about that, but settled down quickly. Within a couple of hours, she and I were even cutting a few cows from the herd (though very slowly). Our next challenge was opening gates from horseback. I was the one that got excited about that (but Sally helped me get over it).

Another afternoon, we rode for hours out in the pastures and woods, crossing many different farms. Lightening Ball got worried during the ride, but, thanks to Tom's coaching, I eventually learned how to help Lightening Ball relax. By the end of the week, he was an old pro at trail riding -- I was so proud of him. And Lightening Ball even moved cows too (he'd stalk up to the herd, towering over the cattle at 16.1H and glare at them till they sidled away).

I've been to local clinics with Tom in Texas -- but I was amazed at how much more effective the camp setting was. It was like the difference between taking a Chinese class vs. traveling in China -- the immersion of living at Tom's ranch, surrounded by master horsemanship, taught me so much more than I expected.

I can't wait to practice what I learned on the other LOPE horses here.

Especially Wooden Phone.

Black Diamond & Blake

Black Diamond & Blake by Deborah Blumenthal is a terrific children's book about the bond between an ex-racehorse and a prison inmate. Once the fastest horse in his racing stable, Black Diamond falls on hard times and is sent to a retirement farm at a penitentiary. There he meets Blake, his assigned caretaker and soon-to-be best friend.

I was especially impressed with how well the book captures the horse-human relationship. Both Blake and Black Diamond are down and out when they meet. But together they find a way to move forward into a brighter future.

The book is beautifully written and illustrated in a rich, almost vintage style technique. Although it's a children's book, I was touched by the story -- it made me think of all the "Black Diamonds" that have come to the LOPE Ranch.

Please check it out on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Ray Hunt, 1929-2009

Ray Hunt was the best horseman I've ever known. In the early days after founding LOPE, I watched his colt starting DVDs over and over, hoping to learn more about horse training. Although I run a racehorse adoption ranch, my training credentials at that time were woefully thin. I needed a crash course and Ray's videos seemed like a good start.

Ray was a holdover from another era, when horses were valued partners in the rugged work of large-scale cattle ranching. His imposing height and sardonic humor belied his gray hair – Ray was an impressive physical presence on camera. In his clinic tapes, he barked at the riders, recited poetry, squinted off into the horizon and gentled every equine rogue, no matter how wild or crazy. Ray was supremely confident in his skills, never once showing worry or fear – he'd just laugh and say something cryptic like "You got to take the bitter with the sweet," or "It's best to stay on the edge of trouble, not in the middle of it," or "You got to adjust to fit the situation."

I was fascinated with his mix of gritty machismo and zen-like slogans. Summoning up my nerve, I put in a request for LOPE to host a clinic with Ray in 2006, and he agreed.

That clinic changed everything for me.

Ray's sharp eyes, crusty Yoda-like comments and deep respect for the horse made a profound impression on me. I turned away from horse training – and towards horsemanship.

It was a seemingly small shift – but like Ray says, "It's the little things that make a big difference." He taught me to recognize the smallest change, the slightest try in myself as well in the horses.

Because of Ray, I might not know where I'm going, but I'm sure not lost.

Thank you, Ray.

Pogo's Successful Knee-Chip Surgery

Pogomeister, an adorable three-year-old gelding, had blazing speed in his workouts at the track. But in his very first race, he chipped his knee, ending his racing career. His breeder donated him to LOPE soon after, hoping we could find him a new, less strenuous job. Pogo was the perfect candidate for our Homestretch Heroes program.

When Dr. JoLynn Joyce, the equine surgeon at Austin Equine Associates (LOPE’s veterinary sponsor), heard about Pogo’s knee, she and Austin Equine Associates generously sponsored a surgery to remove his knee chips.

Pogo’s surgery took place in Austin Equine’s new surgery clinic in Driftwood, where he received top-notch care in a brand-new, fully modern operating room.

Pogo’s chips were removed in January. After six weeks of stall rest and daily handwalking, Pogo is 100% sound. In another week, he’ll be ready to start back into light work. Thanks to Dr. Joyce and Austin Equine Associates, Pogo now has many more career options available.

If you are interested in learning more about how to adopt Pogo, please visit LOPE’s adoption page.

Texas Wrangler Darlins

A couple of weeks ago, a group of Texas Wrangler Darlins came out to the LOPE Ranch for a volunteer day.

They came early, worked hard and left behind a clean barn, swept tack room and well-groomed horses. Zuper especially enjoyed all of the attention.

Thank you Texas Wrangler Darlins!

Mardi Gras Gets Adopted!

One of our recent arrivals here was Mardi Gras Dancer. A bay two-year-old gelding, Mardi Gras had the pedigree of a race champion. But he had the heart of a couch potato – Mardi Gras just wasn’t fast at all.

After ten races, he showed such little interest racing that his owner decided to donate him to LOPE – so he could find a home with less speedy requirements. Anna soon visited the ranch and fell in love with him.

As Anna walked around our pastures, meeting each of the horses, Mardi Gras was watching her. When she came to him, he dropped his head into hands and closed his eyes – a picture of peaceful contentment.

Of all the horses here, Anna chose Mardi Gras to be her riding horse and special pet. Here is a photo of Mardi Gras with his new friend, "Punkin" – as you can see, he is very happy with his new home!