My daughters show horse, Max, had colic surgery five months ago. If the horse survives the colic and surgery, the recovery is a long process. The cost of colic surgery nowadays can be upwards of $12,000. and some folks opt to put the horse down simply because of the cost, let alone the recovery process. We had medical insurance on Max, so we proceeded with surgery, even though he was 19 years old. Max has done very well, thankfully, and at the five month mark, K can begin to ride him again – just a ten minute walk at first, building up to regular work routine within a few months.
On Saturday we took a walk around the ring. I expected him to be jumpy, spooky, high as a kite after such a long hiatus. Nope – he showed his quiet well behaved nature through and through – I loved this horse before for taking good care of my daughter in the show pen, and I love him more for coming through this ordeal like the super trooper that he is.
Max will be 20 years old this spring, so we’re not returning him to show.. he’ll live an easy retirement life here on the farm. Oh, how I wish all horses had such luck.
Both Max (left) and Opie (right) are Quarter Horses. It’s my favorite breed and I’ve owned several over the years – the main reason is their temperament. There are always exceptions, but the quarter horse is known for their steady, quiet, good natured no nonsense work ethic. They have been bred over the years so that there is a wide variety of body types – Opie is old school – I call him my cow pony – he’s short and stout. Max is taller and more refined, you can see it particularly in his head and neck, although those big ears are a throwback to… something else entirely. His build makes him more versatile for different jobs in the show pen – he was ridden both English and Western and carried it off pretty well.
P.S. … although it’s not the quarter horse culture way – I strongly recommend helmet wearing at all times when riding, no matter how sturdy you think your horse is. Too many very seasoned riders have suffered dibilitating TBI’s from falls off their horse – I discovered my helmet was taken over by mice in the tackroom, I’m shopping for a new one today.
It’s a beautiful thing –
