Quest Horse Diaries l Cinders

Cinders

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 December 2011 17:34 |

HOMED

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2.01.08

Cinders is a 21 year old Standardbred mare who has spent many years as a broodmare. I am told that she is an '86 mare, but at this stage we do not have much information about her.

She immediately came across as a beautifully natured horse, very soft and gentle. She is also obviously very depressed and is showing very little interest in trying to make a go of it.

Her past owners tell me that they have 'tried everything' to get her to gain condition, that they have had the Vet check her out, and that they were just at a complete loss as to why she is in such a poor state. They have surrendered Cinders in the hope that she will have an opportunity for a healthy and happy future, and also to make it easier for them to care for their remaining horses.

Fingers crossed that we can help the beautiful girl out, as she certainly deserves every opportunity.

3.01.08

4.01.07

Cinders after a hose down today.

7.01.08

Cinders had a big shampoo, and then thoroughly enjoyed big rolls in the sand. She seemed cautiously enjoying herself, but still waiting for the catch. She was perfectly behaved as always :)

We're wondering whether she may have some issues with her back, based upon her reaction to pressure in certain spots, and the stance she adopts fairly often. We will bear it in mind and look into that if necessary when she is a bit stronger in herself.

8.01.08

17.01.08

It cannot be overstated what a wonderful nature this girl has, she's a a gentle giant of a lady :) She is very slowly perking up, and is now venturing out of her shed for a pick and a shuffle around. At the moment she has the run of three paddocks, and is getting very adventurous with her excursions. Yesterday when I went out she was at the far end of the paddock, and as I turned around from closing the gate...there she was, trotting/pacing/bumbling across the paddock to me! A small thing you might think, but a very happy sight for me to see :)

I still haven't managed to convince her that human hands sometimes have treats in them. She will not entertain the idea...not for carrots, bread, apples, or licorice. If I hold something out to her in my hand, she just moves her head away, very tactfully.

I looked Cinders up in the Studbook last night, and learned that she actually had 82 race starts in her career !! Four foals registered in the Studbook also. What a lot this girl has put in over the years.

21.01.08

Dentist Day for the girl - a LOT of work to do there.

26.01.08

2.02.08

Happy four week anniversary Cinders !

2.03.08

The beautiful girl is going great guns :) She is feeling right at home, and having a routine nap every morning after breaky, often lying flat on her side. She is a pleasure to be around, and a very wise old dame. Not a thing spooks her, aside from a couple of people she has met. I'm not sure at this point whether she has not trusted these people as individuals, or whether it is a 'male' thing, but it does so happen that both of these people were men. She laps up the attention from myself and my daughter, who often goes in and brushes the bits of Cinders that she can reach! If I am down around the paddocks Cinders stands at the gate, hoping for a scratch and a cuddle, but on meeting these two people, she trotted to the far side of the paddock, head up in the air, snorting, and was not coming back for anyone until they left. She has met quite a few visitors though, and has been happy to be sociable with them, (they all happen to have been women). Time will tell whether this is a coincidence or not.

Cinders still has some way to go as far as gaining condition goes, but is well on the way to recovery. It won't be long before she is ready to move on to a new and permanent home. Considering the work that she has done over the years, and her age, she will be seeking a home as a pet/companion. She would make a wonderful best friend for maybe a more mature lady, who is very experienced with horses, and is looking for a best friend to fuss over. The requirement that her new owner be well experienced is not related in any way to Cinders temperament, it is our policy that all horses are re homed into experienced homes. Bear in mind also that Cinders is 16.2 hh, she is not suitable as a child's pet.

Cinders must go to a home who own their own property, who have another horse/horses, and who are happy to guarantee Cinders a home and care for the remainder of her life. We would also ask for at least occasional pictures and updates on the girls progress and well-being. As with all the horses we re-home, Cinders always has a home to go to here, should circumstances change for her new owners, and they are no longer able to keep her, but due to space and financial limitations, I am unable to offer any of the horses permanent homes.

Cinder's new mum will be asked to sign a document agreeing that Cinders will never be sold or passed on, that she is to be returned should needs be. Please consider giving this grand lady some good years if you are in a position to be able to do so. She has done nothing but give of herself for the first 20 years of her life. She deserves nothing but the best for the remainder of the time she has.

Due to the number of enquiries we have had from homes wishing to take Cinders on as a riding proposition, we feel the need to clarify that she is not broken to saddle, and is to be re homed as a companion horse. Not to be ridden.

23.03.08

Last weekend we held our Open Day at Carinya Park. Cinders was a huge help, in assisting some of the visiting demonstrators with their presentations. She was beautifully behaved, and a real lady all day. I was very very proud of her.

Bath time...'prettying up' for the big day

Show time!

Working with Pol Blane

Relaxing after the show

24.04.08

Well Cinders is such an obliging horse that she timed injuring herself to happen on the morning that my Vet Jude was due to come to begin work on Harry Pony's feet. Makes a change from the pubic Holidays and Sundays that they usually pick!

Somehow, and I can't for the life of me figure out how, she has managed a laceration on her udder, pretty much on her teat. I only noticed when I took her rug off this morning, and saw blood on the leg straps. Jude sedated her so as to have a good look, as without getting right in there, all we could see was blood running from her udder. Jude needed to put a couple of stitches in there, and did a great job of doing so without causing Cinders any discomfort. She also injected a local antibiotic into the area, and pasted her with an equivalent of Bute.

We were also due to flush out Cinders tear ducts, as she has always had a problem with her eyes, due to the ducts being gunked up. I wish I could have got a photo of this, but we just needed too many pairs of hands and I didn't have a free hand to get a picture. Jude rubbed an anesthetic into Cinders nostrils, before inserting a fine rubber tube. We syringed local anesthetic through first, and then watched as we syringed liquid into the tubes in her nostrils, and it ran out of her eyes. We got some really good yukky gunk out of one, but not so much the other.

Here's the beautiful girl very sedated and dopey.

13.05.08

8.06.08

The lucky girl had a visit today from Joanne & Craig, her one set of sponsors.

Don't let that indifferent look fool you...she loves it!

July '08

Our special girl is now living in her permanent new home. She was lucky enough to be offered by a home of her own by a lovely lady, who is a very experienced horsewoman, and is particularly experienced with the little idiosyncrasies that some rehabilitated horses can have. Cinders will live out the rest of her days with Fiona and her new herd of friends on Fiona's (just beautiful) property.

I cannot thank Fiona enough. Without the ultimate offers of appropriate homes, we would be unable to take these horses in. The offer of a home is a huge commitment, and not only assists the horse in question, but also the horses to come, in making a place. Fiona is doing a wonderful job of keeping us updated, and by all accounts, Cinders has settled in beautifully.

Thank you Fiona from me personally, from Cinder's sponsors Joanne and Craig, and most of all...thank you from Cinders! You have given the girl the retirement she has earned, and deserves.