Quest Horse Diaries l Faith

Faith

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 December 2011 18:15 |

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Faith

Sweet Faith is a lovely '87 mare, approximately 16h, who has most recently been working hard for a trail riding/horse hire business. She is the softest, kindest mare you could possibly imagine. Faith has a sort of 'wisdom' about her, and a quiet grace. We are told that she was a real favourite, and that she was used, in the main, for nervous lady riders. She is a Clydy X, and has lovely, soft and quite flashy, movement. Obviously she is not feeling much like moving at all right now...but in time I'm sure will be feeling herself. Faith has had at least one foal that we know of, to a Paint sire. Her bub was a very loud coloured Paint.Right now we are tossing up as to whether Faith's current shape is due the fact that a) she has recently had a foal weaned off her, or b) she is actually in foal again, or c) she has a heavy worm burden. Quite obviously Faith is wormy, but the shape of her belly looks more than that to me. We have given Faith her first worming right away...so we will watch and see.

15.02.07

Faith

18.02.07

Jaimee and I gave Faith (and Tucker) big baths today, and they both seemed to really revel in it. Faith has little nics just all over her, all stuff that will heal though. She was as quiet as a lamb to wash, and behaved like the true lady that she is.

The only thing that we have noticed with Faith so far is that she is very head shy. She is impeccably mannered. I'm sure that in time though, she'll relax about this.

I have a lot of respect for this horse. She's worked hard, bred at least one foal that we know of, (maybe more), and has been treated with very little care. Despite all of this, she has a soft sense of dignity, beautiful manners, and truly aims to please.

One thing that I have forgotten to mention thus far is that apparently Faith is also broken to harness, as well as saddle.

21.02.07

Dentist for our girl Faith today. Faith was very concerned about the whole episode. This mare is as close to 'bomb proof' as any horse that I've ever known, but she HATES the dentist. She tried, but was obviously very disconcerted. She eventually did try to evade Russell, and hopped around a bit. She didn't hop into me, or do anything that could have hurt either one of us, but did her best to be rid of him.

The poor girl had very sharp edges on her teeth, and Russell did have to persevere for some time with her. He got the job done though, and I'm sure she'll be a happier girl for it. Unfortunately, because I had to hold Faith for Russell, I was unable to get any pictures of her being done. I do have the shot below though, after the event, with her and Tucker hanging at the rail. Immediately after Russell had finished she was back to her sweet and obliging self. Note neither of them are tied up, no need with these two, they are just so easy going.

Faith

25.02.07

Faith

28.02.07

Preg test today for our girl. It had to be done, I can't do the 'wait and see' thing. Mixed emotions really, as it's hard not to be excited when there's a baby possibly in the wind, but Faith is not in the condition that I'd like her to be in to be carrying a foal, and then be foaling. One thing I do know... If she is in foal, I am doubly glad that she did not go to the knackery. It's VERY hard to see the pregnant mares go for dog food.

3.03.07

Well we have the results back from the bloods. They indicate that either Faith is not in foal, and is just going into season, (or coming out) ...or, she is in foal, but only in the very early stages. So, we can't put Faith's belly down to being close to foaling. Here are some pics of Faith today:

19.03.07

Faith Faith

Faith

1.04.07

Sooo...what's going on in that tum??

Faith Faith

8.04.07

Faith is doing wonderfully, and has been treated to some 'time out' at our Sanctuary. She's thoroughly enjoying the wide open spaces and good grazing, and is doing a great job of playing Nanna for us to two young fellas, Finn and Sammy.

Faith

5.12.07

You know when you see something, but literally cannot quite believe your eyes??

Well look what the sweet old girl has presented us with !!

Faith

3.12.07

A prouder mumma I don't think there ever was

Tony and I have named this little girl 'Miracle', because she surely is.

You can follow little Miracle's progress on her own page here: Miracle

25.01.08

6.05.08

Faith gives her daughter some floating lessons.

6.12.08

3.07.09

Well a long time since news was posted of Faith! She has been enjoying a life of leisure at the farm, and Miracle is long weaned. We have been looking for an appropriate home for Faith for some time now. Although life at the farm is pretty much every horse's dream, it's not ideal for those who need that little bit of extra care as there are times where the horses aren't supervised, and it's not possible to rug, hard feed etc. if a horse should need it.

A few months ago that special offer came in. After three decades of horselessness, last weekend Jane became the proud owner of Faith. Jane has closely followed Faith's progress over the past couple of years from afar, (Faith in Victoria, Jane in Western Australia), and is a much valued friend of Quest. Jane and her family have spent the past 6 months constructing fencing, a shelter etc. on their property, and last week Faith got on the truck for a journey across the Nullarbor.

Faith's first step in her journey was back to Carinya Park, to be available for collection. It was just lovely to have her back here. She was looking like a horse who has been turned out for two years, but still the jewel she always has been.

A few days later Faith left for the first leg of her long journey.

Four days later..at last, Faith arrives in WA, and Jane and her family excitedly meet their new family member!

We would like to thank Jane and her family for their commitment to providing Faith a loving and caring home for the rest of her days. Faith has done nothing but serve for her entire life, and now she has a home of her own, and an entire family to serve her!

I would also like to thank Tony, who has always welcomed rehabbed horses at his beautiful property, and who has been caring for Faith for the past 18 mths or so. He now has Faith's stunning 'surprise' daughter to care for, who will be a constant reminder to him of her placid and gentle mother. Miracle possesses this same priceless temperament, and is an absolute credit to Faith. We will do your Miracle proud Faith.

If I had to sum Faith up in one word, it would be 'grace', and that's saying something considering her bulk! She is a true lady.

< Faith's filly Miracle at 12 mths of age.

22.10.09

Many thanks to Jane for sharing some recent pics of her girl with us.

From Jane: "Faith is living a life of luxury at the moment. She's getting quite the grass belly, with all the spring grass about, and her dapples are to die for! She gave me a fright the other day - I couldn't see her in the paddock, then spied just her head down at a really low level and she seemed to be sitting in a spot that she's never usually in. I raced down, thinking oh God, snakebite, and she immediately throws up her head, scrambles up, and it turns out she was wallowing down in the creek up to her belly! Whew!

She's very hard to photograph well - she's in your face for treats then nicks off if I don't have any/ when she's eaten them, and pulls sulky faces if I deny her the treats while trying to photograph her, LOL! But, here's a few I took today..."