FRANKIE
Frankie, who currently leads the national standings for Rescue horses competing in Working Equitation, was part of an Oregon Humane Society seizure in Clatskanie, OR, facilitated by Sound Equine Rescue Options, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. According to her owner, Maartje Kasdorp, Frankie was “rescued as a two-year-old with 14 other horses from a property where one horse was found dead and others severely malnourished. Frankie was in such a bad condition that it looked like she would not survive. While they tried to load her in the trailer, she fell down from her weakness, and when they unloaded her at the vet she was down in the trailer, not being able to hold herself up.”
Frankie was pregnant at the time of the seizure, but her health was such that she was unable to carry the foal to term, and she lost it not long after she was rescued. Maartje started caring for Frankie at the location where Sound Equine Options placed her at a foster home. She spent hours taking care of Frankie, helping her gain her health. At first Frankie had to be on a strict refeeding diet, to make sure her body would get used to being fed again. Maartje spent time combing out her matted-down fur, severely affected with rain rot, and when Frankie started feeling a bit better, they went on short walks through the neighborhood to get some gentle exercise.
Gradually, Frankie recovered and started thriving. In October 2018, Maartje realized she didn’t want to let go of Frankie and officially adopted her. In May 2018 she started riding Frankie under saddle and in March of 2019 they competed in their first show at the WE United event in Eugene, OR, getting a second place at the Maiden Introductory level.
RAGS
Beloved among the crowds at the WE United events in Oregon, the spotted rescue horse Rags and his owner Carol Higgs, are also making a big impression. Carol explains that she has a friend who rescues horses from bad situations, tries to restore them to health and then finds them new homes. She first saw the bedraggled Rags on this friend’s Facebook page.
“He had to be the most pitiful creature I had laid eyes on,” Carol explains. “He was about 6 or 7 months old but very small. My friend had found him in a pasture starving to death. He had been weaned and put out with a herd in the middle of winter, but wasn’t getting enough to eat because of his being so young and small. When my friend took him in, he was near death. She fed him, wormed and castrated him, but even then, his future was uncertain. My husband was out of the country in the Middle East. I sent him the picture. He is not really a horse person, and I already had three, so I really did not expect him to say I could go ahead and get the little guy. His picture really touched my husband’s heart as well, apparently!
“I sure didn't need a young horse especially at my age. I had others, all good horses. But, not even knowing if he would live, I went and got him.”
Carol expected her tiny rescue to stay pony size. Much to her surprise, he kept growing. When she adopted him, she had no idea of his breeding, but she later discovered that his mom was a Belgium/Arabian mare and his sire was a Paint stallion.
She reflects, “The ugly little guy turned into a very pretty horse and is becoming my WE partner. I am having the time of my life with this funny horse, what an unexpected gift he has been! He is always the cutest horse in every show with his wild frizzy mane and big kind eyes.”
In Oklahoma, the blue roan rescue gelding Obi Wan Kenobi, has started to rack up points in the sport as well. His owner, Abby Ocker, shared his story with us.
“Obi came into Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue in January of 2015 as an abandonment/neglect case with 11 other horses. Sadly, 2 of those horses died due to their severe condition. Obi (named Hooey by the rescue) was estimated to be 4 years of age. He had a body score of 3, was covered in ticks and rain rot, infested with parasites, and slightly anemic. He sat at the rescue for the next two years, being overlooked due to his aversion to people and flighty nature.”
In 2017, Abby picked him as her makeover horse for a competition the rescue holds every year where trainers take untouched horses and turn them into dependable riding companions in about four months. She explains, “Obi was definitely a difficult one to break the ice with. For the first month, we did only ground work and saddle prep leading up to our first ride. He still bucked me off on the first ride, so we spent another month on the ground. I absolutely fell in love with him over the next two months. He went on to win the challenge which enabled me to purchase him and bring him home permanently, giving him the new name, Obi.”
“Just this year, we started schooling Novice A and found a new gear, Speed! He absolutely loves Speed! His entire demeanor changes, his ears come up, and he gets an excited look on his face when I ask him for speed as he loves to run! He is now a horse I can put anyone on without fear. In March 2019, he attended a schooling show with two riders, me in Novice A, and my little sister in Introductory. He took great care of both of us, pulling off a second or first in all trials for both levels! Our schooling season is over for the year, but we are aiming to hit all three of the Oklahoma B-rated shows this fall to be eligible to win a year end prize!”
To qualify for the Rescue Awards, owners must submit one of the following to [email protected] by November 1 of the competition year in which the award is being earned:
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WE United is excited to be showcasing the talent that can be found in rescue horses if one looks beyond the neglect and focuses on their potential.
Above is Frankie before and after, next page top is Obi before and after
Carol expected her tiny rescue to stay pony size. Much to her surprise, he kept growing. When she adopted him, she had no idea of his breeding, but she later discovered that his mom was a Belgium/Arabian mare and his sire was a Paint stallion.
FRANKIE BEFORE
FRANKIE AFTER