Day 2: How did we pick the foals? What are their names?

I asked for your questions and many of you responded. It looks like the number one question was ‘What made you choose these two babies?” It’s a bit of a story…but I will try to make it shortish.

From the first time I saw Last Chance Corral adopting went on my bucket list. Something I was determined to do at some point but I also believe that the timing has to be right. 

Last year when Jesse and I traveled to Germany we visited some amazing farms and I was reminded that I have always wanted to study dressage. I kept saying that I should get a ‘souvenir horse’ from Germany…a big warm blood would be fun! But I was just kidding…except…

When we came back I did start taking some dressage lessons. I have loved it and although it will be another horsey hobby of mine I did consider getting a horse that might be a bit more suited for it. Ok, I was looking for an excuse to get another horse…I can use my reiners as both Newt and Popcorn proved by achieving better than 70% at our first schooling show…but did I mention I wanted another horse?

In my spare time I would search the web. Not too serious but rather regularly. Nothing really interested me. I’ve been doing this for almost a year. Then…

I visited Last Chance Corral’s website because I usually do posts in the spring. I had heard that they were full to capacity…and thats when I saw #117-“Press on Regardless” and I knew I had found my horse! It even sounds crazy now when I say it but this was the one I wanted to invest in.  And as they say…the rest is history!

The second foal wasn’t as easy. Jesse and I went to Athens with a few ideas but nothing solid. For this foal we were going to wait and meet whoever was there. The trouble was that there were so many to choose from! We looked at everyone and it didn’t get easier…except we individually kept coming back to the drafty little black. I say ‘little’ because he is younger then Presto…but really he is already bigger!

Jesse spent last year coaching riders at Asbury University and many of their horses were draft crosses, especially the police horses. These gentle giants had apparently worked their way into our hearts because when I finally asked Jesse to make the final choice, he chose #149- “No Regrets”. Although he is 6 days younger he is substantially bigger. 

Here are some of their stats:Nurse mare foals Stacy Westfall

  • Name:Press on Regardless
  • Color: Bay with spots on rump
  • Barn Name: Presto
  • Birthdate: 5-4-16
  • Sex: soon to be gelding
  • Breed: Appaloosa/Thoroughbred with a hint of draft?
  • Name: No Regrets
  • Color: Black with big white star
  • Barn Name: Justice
  • Birthdate: 5-10-16
  • Sex: soon to be gelding
  • Breed: Percheron/Paint/Draft with a hint of TB?

Initially I thought I would like to adopt just one. It isn’t that I wouldn’t love a barn full but the reality is that I also know my limits. I have a limit to the amount of time that I have, the number of stalls I have and the amount of money I have. I even sold one of my horses to keep myself inside of my self-imposed-limits.

But I also knew that depending on the age I might have to take two. Emotionally I want ten…realistically I know I have limits. Having said all of this…I am incredibly happy that I currently have two. Presto was sick at the same time I was. He was too sick to leave and he didn’t respond to the antibiotics as well as hoped…same as me. He is finally getting better but ins’t quite right. I just rode for the last two days after missing nearly two months from being sick…you could say we are really on the same track. 

No Regrets path isn’t quite as clear. I know he and Presto will be keeping each other company for the next few months. A piece of me thinks that he will be for sale in the future and another part of me is planning for what I will do if we keep him. I love the chance to work with yet another breed and see what he can become and I believe he will find his true home someday…maybe here, maybe not. I’m not stressed about the decision and I have no regrets (pun intended)!

 

 

 

 

24 Comments

  1. Chris Alcorn catena on June 23, 2016 at 10:54 pm

    Hi. We adopted two fillies from last chance about two weeks after you and your blog is my textbook. I am using to keep up on what we need to be doing next.

  2. Laura Hurr on June 7, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    Thank you for such a long look at them and the process.

  3. Jody Brittain on June 7, 2016 at 8:45 am

    Very adorable babies! Thank you for the video. Have you already moved into your new place? I so look forward to this babies growing up! Will never tire of pictures of these guys!

  4. Pam Cox on June 6, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    Congrats!!!! I had an Appy jumper/dressage horse. He was very good. And draft crosses make some wonderful dressage horses. Good luck with them both. They are so lucky.

  5. Julie Swenson on June 6, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    Congrats and a big Thanks for helping spread the word about this incredible facility. Next freestyle projects? 🙂

  6. Esther Douglas on June 6, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Thankyou. This is something I want to do as welk. But living in Bermuda…well it probrably never will. Please keep us updated. Xxxx

  7. T Geiger on June 6, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    Thank you for helping these two have a better future which will also help others in many ways. I look forward to hearing more about them… Congrats on the new additions!!!

  8. Robin on June 6, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Congrats, they are so cute. Does this mean you have become more permanent in your location? I miss your more frequent blogs.

  9. Robin on June 6, 2016 at 9:06 am

    What a great video! They both seem so content being with you and their new home. Happy adoption!

  10. RobinJL on June 6, 2016 at 2:39 am

    This is so incredible and inspiring. These foals have been given such a good chance at life and they’re so lucky to have it. Looking forward to their futures. 🙂

  11. Kaycie on June 5, 2016 at 10:31 pm

    Can’t wait to watch them grow! So exciting! Congrats and welcome to dressage.

  12. Patsy24 on June 5, 2016 at 10:10 pm

    Thank you for sharing. It is joyous and exciting. I hope you and Presto make a full and good recovery together and forge a strong path ahead. I love that Justice has some Percheron too.

  13. Carol on June 5, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    What an exciting journey you are on! Thanks for including us!

  14. Leanne on June 5, 2016 at 10:05 pm

    Thank you so much for the update and video! They are adorable!!

  15. Nancy Pawley on June 5, 2016 at 9:45 pm

    If my property was up to their standards (I have barb wire) I would get a couple. On my list too.

  16. Carla Carrabino on June 5, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    So excited!

  17. Angie harguess on June 5, 2016 at 9:31 pm

    I am so glad you chose an Appaloosa.sell the draft cross? Bet you get too attached.

  18. Chris on June 5, 2016 at 9:13 pm

    I visited a few weeks ago…. Fell in absolute love with the big tri colored paint<3. Like you…. My heart wants to bring them all home…. But my reality says…"wait for the right timing";). These babies will be well educated and so so loved!

  19. Darlene Flanagan on June 5, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    I adopted a nurse mare foal in April. She is now 12 weeks and is doing great. She’s suppose to be a QH red dun. I may have her DNA tested simply because she is getting huge! We body clipped her, she leads, backs, sends, gives all four feet, and we gave her a bath this morning. She turns out with our 11 yr old gentle gelding during the day. We are loving the journey, you will to buy prayer is that Mia will someday be a great ambassador for orphan foals in the Mounted Shooting arena…and she has a great start, sounds don’t bother her at all!!?

  20. Cynthia on June 5, 2016 at 8:56 pm

    I’ll bet No Regrets would make an awesome dressage horse! Lucky babies.

  21. Jennifer on June 5, 2016 at 8:47 pm

    Such sweet babies! Congratulations on the new 4-legged family members.

  22. Linda Hill-Duplechin on June 5, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    Precious, just precious. So happy for you and the foals.

  23. Shelley on June 5, 2016 at 8:15 pm

    This is cool Stacy!

    Thank you so much for sharing they are adorable!

    I’m so happy for you!

  24. Lesia Lowe on June 5, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    AWWWWWWW!!!!…. CONGRATS!!!….. but the dog standing up on his hind legs at 2:25 cracked me up!!! LOL

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