I have dreamed and talked about getting a rescue horse. For the last two years I have been following Ryon's Rescue Pen on facebook. We moved back to Wisconsin with our Tennessee Walker/Quarter horse "Tarcy" in April 2017. We knew we wanted to find a pony for a companion to Tarcy and for the boys to ride. We had a lot going on in moving, setting up, and settling into our new farm. So, it was with wishful looking that I would periodically look at the horses available for the week. I had to stop looking at times because I wanted to save so many.
So, it happened one night looking at the horses listed for the week for Ryon's Rescue Pen. Late on Monday night May 6th I noticed the "little gray mare" and showed Franz. He didn't say no like he usually would. But, he also didn't say yes. She was listed as being 3-4 years, 12 hands high, and green broke. I decided that the boys needed to see her picture and if it was meant to be she would still be available in the morning. It was Tuesday morning right after coming in from chores I asked the boys what they thought about getting a little gray pony. Showing them the picture they all said yes. Except Cyprian, who was in love with "Duke" a horse we were borrowing to see if we wanted him. Duke, also came from Ryon's and friends of ours have had him for three years. He is a very sweet boy and around 12 years old. Duke is taller than I had in mind for starting the boys on. I had always envisioned having something not too short, but not too tall either. So, after discussing things with Cyprian he pretty quickly warmed up to the idea of having a smaller size horse.
I excitedly and anxiously texted that we were interested in #3853. We were eating breakfast when my phone rang. I grabbed it with anticipation. I was not quite sure what to expect as I had never done this before. I was asked what questions I had. It was a brief conversation. I said let me quick confer with my husband. Franz looked a bit skeptical, but again did not say no. So, taking a quick breath and thinking a prayer, I said, "yes, we want to buy the little gray mare." After giving my credit card info. and saying that we could pick her up at 4 that afternoon I hung up.
Wow, we were going to be getting another horse! It was fast, exciting, and a little overwhelming. I was praying that I was not being too hasty. Franz went to check on the stock trailer and the hook up for our suburban. The light hook up on our suburban was for a small trailer. We realized we needed to have an adaptor for the larger light hook up of the trailer, and a brake system installed inside the suburban. We knew we would not be going that day to get our little gray mare. After informing Ryon's that we could not make it. I asked if we could come the next day. Franz set up with our mechanic that he could install the brake system in the morning. I told Franz that I would go to Theisens and get the brake system and adaptor. I knew that Franz really wanted to plow out in the fields instead of running around getting parts. I looked at the trailer and Franz explained what I should get. This is not my area of expertise, but thankfully I ended up working with a nice lady who seemed to know what she was talking about. With our suburban being an older one, it did not have the quick plug connector for a break system. After talking, speculating, finally I got the pieces we needed. I headed straight to the mechanic and Franz met me there. After making sure I could pick up the suburban at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning we headed home.
Wednesday morning I woke with a sense of adventure. My Dad brought me to the mechanic to pick up the suburban at 11 while my Mom watched the boys. I filled up the tank on the suburban and made my way home. Once there I started getting ready for the big trip. Sweeping out the trailer, hooking it up to the suburban, and taking care of last minute things. It was decided that I would take Cyprian and Cornelius, with my Dad tagging along. My Mom would stay and watch the other three boys. I was nervous about driving with a big trailer on a long trip by myself. It was a relief to have my Dad come with. Franz was teaching at Providence all day and we had to be to the pen by 4 p.m.
12:30 and we started off. The weather was dismal as it was stormy with rain and wind. I got quite the introduction to driving and towing a trailer. Overall the driving went well. Even if at times the rain was pounding and the wind was a buffeting us. Once we were to Cannon Falls Minnesota we stopped and filled up the suburban and grabbed subs to eat. Then it was to the pen we went.
There are no signs stating Ryon's Rescue Pen. It is a large stock exchange set up. I stopped in a big empty parking space and walked into what looked like an office building. I saw a tall no nonesense tough looking woman in an office and approached. She looked up and I asked if she was Jennifer. She said, "yes" bluntly. I stated my name and that I was there for my 4 p.m. appointment to pick up #3853. She didn't say much and started filling out the paperwork and gave me a receipt to sign. I asked where I should go and she said she would show me. Out the door she pointed to a big building and said to back the trailer up to a big door that had barn gates on both sides.
I had my Dad back up as I am not confident in my ability to back up a large trailer yet. Once we were backed to the open door I brought Jennifer my halter and lead rope. She still seemed a bit stand offish. I didn't blame her as I have a feeling they deal with all sorts of people and probably a lot of nuts to boot. I didn't even walk back with her to the pen, but observed from the back of our trailer as she went and got the little gray mare. There were lots of horses of all different shapes and sizes. As they came up to the trailer you could see that the little mare was scared, tired, and not wanting to get into another trailer. Jennifer told the little gray, "Honey I am a lot bigger than you and you are not going win this one." I was on the side and was gently clucking and within a few minutes little gray mare jumped in. Jennifer seemed to lighten up as she said, "I hope she does well for you." I shook her hand which seemed to surprise her. I was so excited to be taking our little gray girl home. She looked scruffy, but oh so loveable. Her right ear has a split on the tip and all her ribs were showing. Making me think she may have come from neglect.
It was a wet rainy windy ride back home. But besides one pit stop we made it home safely. We had Duke the horse we were borrowing in the pasture with Tarcy. I had decided it would be better to not bring the little gray mare in with both Tarcy and Duke. Instead we left the little gray mare in the front part of the stock trailer and loaded Duke who was reluctant, but with the help of another horse being in the trailer finally went in. Then quickly I drove Duke back home to our friends who owned him. When we took Duke out of the trailer little gray mare was not happy at being left on. So I hastily said goodbye and off to home we went again.
At home I parked and immediately opened the trailer. Snapping on a lead rope I led the little gray mare out. Tarcy was excited because he had been so distraught when we led Duke away. Franz had put a halter and lead on Tarcy. I brought little gray mare up to greet Tarcy. She immediately squealed and threw her front foot at Tarcy. Tarcy did not fight he just waited for little gray mare to come to him. Honestly it was pretty apparent that they were going to get along. Tarcy had been lonely for companionship, and little gray mare was looking for security. It is recommended that you quarantine for four weeks when getting a rescue. We chose not to do so, in part as horses are herd animals and part of helping them means lessening the stress in their life. We chose to take a chance on putting the two horses together for companionship right away.
It took us a couple days to find the right name. I went through a saint book and took names that come from saints. Here is the list with the meanings
Athena- wise one
Ava- happy greeting
Cailin- girl
Dwyn- little dark one
Gemina- twin
Griselda- gray woman warrior
Isha- female one
Luna- moon
Naomi- pleasant one
Thora- thunderer
Zamira- queen
Zita- little one
In the end when we were down to three names:"Dwyn, Luna, and Thora," I let the boys call it. They all agreed on Thora. We are happy to have our little "Thora," named after saint Thorette.
Cyprian and I have spent time with Tarcy and Thora everyday. We brush them, pick up and clean hooves. We have been treating Thora's ears for a bad case of mites with johoba oil and tea tree. As she has picked up in health she has become more and more spunky. Even with that she has been very good about letting the boys jump right on her. The boys take turns being led around bareback. I know things can change and she may not always be this docile. Overall though she has been very loving and happy to be taken care of. She has only been a stinker in that she taught Tarcy how to jump a low part of the fence. Which has now prompted us to put a strand of electric on top of the fence. Thora has a respect for electric fence we discovered. She touched the goat pasture fence which is electric. I have been worried about her thinness and we are working on getting some weight on her. We just finished a round of herbal wormer. We tried right away giving herbs in some oats, but she got a taste of the herbs and was like no way. So we just gave oats with molasses and black oil sunflower seeds for the first week. Then we were able to mix the herbs with molasses in with this last full moon cycle. I also notice that Thora's hindlegs look almost like they have a bit of curb right below the hock in back. I am not sure if it is from malnurishment as she is 3-4 years old and still growing. Or if it is just poor conformation. Either way I believe with good care it can hopefully be corrected to a comfortable outcome. She seems to be gaited and moves like a Paso Fino. It is fun to guess what breed she may be.
Someday if it works, we will get one more horse. One for me. That way Franz and I can go on rides together. Till then we have lots to work with and enjoy.
So, it happened one night looking at the horses listed for the week for Ryon's Rescue Pen. Late on Monday night May 6th I noticed the "little gray mare" and showed Franz. He didn't say no like he usually would. But, he also didn't say yes. She was listed as being 3-4 years, 12 hands high, and green broke. I decided that the boys needed to see her picture and if it was meant to be she would still be available in the morning. It was Tuesday morning right after coming in from chores I asked the boys what they thought about getting a little gray pony. Showing them the picture they all said yes. Except Cyprian, who was in love with "Duke" a horse we were borrowing to see if we wanted him. Duke, also came from Ryon's and friends of ours have had him for three years. He is a very sweet boy and around 12 years old. Duke is taller than I had in mind for starting the boys on. I had always envisioned having something not too short, but not too tall either. So, after discussing things with Cyprian he pretty quickly warmed up to the idea of having a smaller size horse.
I excitedly and anxiously texted that we were interested in #3853. We were eating breakfast when my phone rang. I grabbed it with anticipation. I was not quite sure what to expect as I had never done this before. I was asked what questions I had. It was a brief conversation. I said let me quick confer with my husband. Franz looked a bit skeptical, but again did not say no. So, taking a quick breath and thinking a prayer, I said, "yes, we want to buy the little gray mare." After giving my credit card info. and saying that we could pick her up at 4 that afternoon I hung up.
Wow, we were going to be getting another horse! It was fast, exciting, and a little overwhelming. I was praying that I was not being too hasty. Franz went to check on the stock trailer and the hook up for our suburban. The light hook up on our suburban was for a small trailer. We realized we needed to have an adaptor for the larger light hook up of the trailer, and a brake system installed inside the suburban. We knew we would not be going that day to get our little gray mare. After informing Ryon's that we could not make it. I asked if we could come the next day. Franz set up with our mechanic that he could install the brake system in the morning. I told Franz that I would go to Theisens and get the brake system and adaptor. I knew that Franz really wanted to plow out in the fields instead of running around getting parts. I looked at the trailer and Franz explained what I should get. This is not my area of expertise, but thankfully I ended up working with a nice lady who seemed to know what she was talking about. With our suburban being an older one, it did not have the quick plug connector for a break system. After talking, speculating, finally I got the pieces we needed. I headed straight to the mechanic and Franz met me there. After making sure I could pick up the suburban at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning we headed home.
Wednesday morning I woke with a sense of adventure. My Dad brought me to the mechanic to pick up the suburban at 11 while my Mom watched the boys. I filled up the tank on the suburban and made my way home. Once there I started getting ready for the big trip. Sweeping out the trailer, hooking it up to the suburban, and taking care of last minute things. It was decided that I would take Cyprian and Cornelius, with my Dad tagging along. My Mom would stay and watch the other three boys. I was nervous about driving with a big trailer on a long trip by myself. It was a relief to have my Dad come with. Franz was teaching at Providence all day and we had to be to the pen by 4 p.m.
12:30 and we started off. The weather was dismal as it was stormy with rain and wind. I got quite the introduction to driving and towing a trailer. Overall the driving went well. Even if at times the rain was pounding and the wind was a buffeting us. Once we were to Cannon Falls Minnesota we stopped and filled up the suburban and grabbed subs to eat. Then it was to the pen we went.
There are no signs stating Ryon's Rescue Pen. It is a large stock exchange set up. I stopped in a big empty parking space and walked into what looked like an office building. I saw a tall no nonesense tough looking woman in an office and approached. She looked up and I asked if she was Jennifer. She said, "yes" bluntly. I stated my name and that I was there for my 4 p.m. appointment to pick up #3853. She didn't say much and started filling out the paperwork and gave me a receipt to sign. I asked where I should go and she said she would show me. Out the door she pointed to a big building and said to back the trailer up to a big door that had barn gates on both sides.
I had my Dad back up as I am not confident in my ability to back up a large trailer yet. Once we were backed to the open door I brought Jennifer my halter and lead rope. She still seemed a bit stand offish. I didn't blame her as I have a feeling they deal with all sorts of people and probably a lot of nuts to boot. I didn't even walk back with her to the pen, but observed from the back of our trailer as she went and got the little gray mare. There were lots of horses of all different shapes and sizes. As they came up to the trailer you could see that the little mare was scared, tired, and not wanting to get into another trailer. Jennifer told the little gray, "Honey I am a lot bigger than you and you are not going win this one." I was on the side and was gently clucking and within a few minutes little gray mare jumped in. Jennifer seemed to lighten up as she said, "I hope she does well for you." I shook her hand which seemed to surprise her. I was so excited to be taking our little gray girl home. She looked scruffy, but oh so loveable. Her right ear has a split on the tip and all her ribs were showing. Making me think she may have come from neglect.
It was a wet rainy windy ride back home. But besides one pit stop we made it home safely. We had Duke the horse we were borrowing in the pasture with Tarcy. I had decided it would be better to not bring the little gray mare in with both Tarcy and Duke. Instead we left the little gray mare in the front part of the stock trailer and loaded Duke who was reluctant, but with the help of another horse being in the trailer finally went in. Then quickly I drove Duke back home to our friends who owned him. When we took Duke out of the trailer little gray mare was not happy at being left on. So I hastily said goodbye and off to home we went again.
At home I parked and immediately opened the trailer. Snapping on a lead rope I led the little gray mare out. Tarcy was excited because he had been so distraught when we led Duke away. Franz had put a halter and lead on Tarcy. I brought little gray mare up to greet Tarcy. She immediately squealed and threw her front foot at Tarcy. Tarcy did not fight he just waited for little gray mare to come to him. Honestly it was pretty apparent that they were going to get along. Tarcy had been lonely for companionship, and little gray mare was looking for security. It is recommended that you quarantine for four weeks when getting a rescue. We chose not to do so, in part as horses are herd animals and part of helping them means lessening the stress in their life. We chose to take a chance on putting the two horses together for companionship right away.
It took us a couple days to find the right name. I went through a saint book and took names that come from saints. Here is the list with the meanings
Athena- wise one
Ava- happy greeting
Cailin- girl
Dwyn- little dark one
Gemina- twin
Griselda- gray woman warrior
Isha- female one
Luna- moon
Naomi- pleasant one
Thora- thunderer
Zamira- queen
Zita- little one
In the end when we were down to three names:"Dwyn, Luna, and Thora," I let the boys call it. They all agreed on Thora. We are happy to have our little "Thora," named after saint Thorette.
Cyprian and I have spent time with Tarcy and Thora everyday. We brush them, pick up and clean hooves. We have been treating Thora's ears for a bad case of mites with johoba oil and tea tree. As she has picked up in health she has become more and more spunky. Even with that she has been very good about letting the boys jump right on her. The boys take turns being led around bareback. I know things can change and she may not always be this docile. Overall though she has been very loving and happy to be taken care of. She has only been a stinker in that she taught Tarcy how to jump a low part of the fence. Which has now prompted us to put a strand of electric on top of the fence. Thora has a respect for electric fence we discovered. She touched the goat pasture fence which is electric. I have been worried about her thinness and we are working on getting some weight on her. We just finished a round of herbal wormer. We tried right away giving herbs in some oats, but she got a taste of the herbs and was like no way. So we just gave oats with molasses and black oil sunflower seeds for the first week. Then we were able to mix the herbs with molasses in with this last full moon cycle. I also notice that Thora's hindlegs look almost like they have a bit of curb right below the hock in back. I am not sure if it is from malnurishment as she is 3-4 years old and still growing. Or if it is just poor conformation. Either way I believe with good care it can hopefully be corrected to a comfortable outcome. She seems to be gaited and moves like a Paso Fino. It is fun to guess what breed she may be.
Someday if it works, we will get one more horse. One for me. That way Franz and I can go on rides together. Till then we have lots to work with and enjoy.
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| First evening at Kleinshire for Thora. |
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| She was friendly but shy at first. |
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| On Mother's Day we rode Tarcy and Cyprian rode Thora. |
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| Cyprian and Thora hanging |
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| Cyprian decided to use twine for reins. |
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| These two are best friends. |
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| Still sheding out, but starting to see what Thora will look like. |
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| Thora has a great appetite. We are still treating her ears for a really bad case of ear mites. |
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| We will all be happy when things dry out. |
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| You can still see Thora's ribs, but her hip bones are already not as prominent. |
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| I am taking pictures to help us track progress. |
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