HardyHorse's Photos

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Two years ago last December, I remember being very involved with coordinating emails, phone calls, negotiations, and time lines that brought me to this wonderful farm in Newbury Massachusetts where I walked out to this beautiful pasture to let him smell me and let me touch him for the first time. It all started one day when I was on the infamous Bulletin Board at EquineSite.Com. There a few words popped out: “White and brown Paint Gelding, sell the gelding for meat, ignored, loves treats, little contact, when they plan to ship him~ it won’t be too long”. Sight unseen I wanted to help this horse. Right there I broke my promise of never getting another horse to be put in Atlantic’s old stall. Atlantic was an astonishing horse I had since he was three and at the age of 26 he had developed a tumor in his spine and in July of 2001 was the time for us to say goodbye. He was my best friend and also was from a rescue situation where he needed to get to another place for attention and comfort. So here I am at 48 years old bouncing off my chair as I am typing furiously to help Scout. With everyone’s deep devotion Scout materialized at my barn on December 16, 2003. For a long while he felt as if he was lost, and didn’t know what his purpose was here. He was also fascinated by all the attention I was giving him. He also had his guard up a bit. Going from his old environment which was living on the side of a steep little mountain in Vermont to stepping on sand, smelling salt air, even terrain for footing, and having two of his own stable buddies as two bay Morgan’s was a huge adjustment. It took Scout about a year for me to fully understand him just by watching him, giving him time to adjust and trust my family and me before he stopped all his magic bag full of treats of exhibiting negative behaviors. I even had two sessions with the animal communicator, which was such an amazing experience. He was telling her stuff that made chills go through my body for all of the information was accurate. I am a skeptic no more.

It is now almost exactly two years since Scout has been here. He loves his new box stall and does all his personal sanitation needs out in the corral. He still carries all that pride of being a mountain horse for all those years. He has many mannerisms of a stallion and acts very stud –like.  He will throw his ears back to intimidate, shakes his head around and he moves in circles, and loves his freedom. But as soon as he is haltered he becomes instantly domesticated. Easy to work around and enjoys being touched. And yes he loves treats and attention. He is a lot of fun to ride, very energetic, happy and full of himself. We have been working slowly together for the past year on letting him know I am not a cowboy in disguise. Keeping him relaxed while were trail/beach, riding has been a challenge and every time out gets better and better. He now has a whole new closet full of possessions. From bridles, custom made western saddle, english saddle, winter blanket, a plethora of knick-knacks and now front winter shoes. His name fits him all over~ he loves to explore, investigate, and survey his new world here on Cape Cod. He is “A Diamond In The Rough.

The above is a dedication to all who were involved with Scout’s liberation. Much thankfulness and selflessness go out to Maya, Susan, David, Marty, Cindy, Meika, and my daughter Gemma for bringing Scout and I together.

...through his mane and tail the high wind sings,
Fanning the hairs, who wave like feather'd wings.

William Shakespeare

In memory of "Atlantic the Great White"     6/29/1975 -  7/14/2001

[For those who don't know the full story of Scout - click here.]