Scout

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The following post on the EquineSite Bulletin Board & Chat precipitated a lengthy discussion and a number of emails between cyber-friends.  For lack of a better term, a "rescue" effort was launched, and our friend SunDancer took Scout home on December 15, 2001.

"A neighbor of a friend of mine in VT has a 17-19 year old brown and white Paint Gelding that they want to get rid of because they just bought a pregnant mare and want only her and the baby. They have decided to sell the gelding for meat rather than take the time to find a home. The "meat man" is offering them $600-800 so if someone wants to match it he's theirs to take home. I've gone up to see and he is the picture perfect paint, probably about 15.1 hands, seemingly sound. He has been ignored for who knows how long but he loved the fact I was giving him attention and feeding him treats. If someone buys him I highly recommend that it's a very experienced horse person who has a lot of time to give him what he's been missing for a long time. I have limited info on this horse's history but I believe he used to be a trail horse, I really don't have anything to do with him so I give no guarantees, I'd just hate to see such a healthy beautiful animal not given the opportunity he deserves. I would take him myself in a second if I didn't already have 3 horses and a (human) baby on the way. I don't know when they plan to ship him but I imagine it won't be too long. If you're interested and willing to start over with him, please contact me and I'll direct you to the right people.  Please keep in mind he's going to need work because he's done nothing but stand in a pasture with little contact, so don't think he'll be perfect for a child. But with lots of love and attention.... who knows."
 
Picking Up Scout - A short narrative on the day's events
 
Loading at the farm in Vermont
Scout says to Pearl - "What's going on the driveway Pearl?  What do you make of that thing on the back of the pickup?"
"Cool, I'm going for a walk"
Scout: "Who's the guy with the crazy hat, and why does he keep taking pictures?"

That's SunDancer in the background.
Sniff, sniff.  "Hmm, that smells good..."
"Oh Man!!! I can't believe I fell for the grain and fruit trick!  Dang, now I'm in a tin-can!"
"I don't care if you have a nice place.  I don't care if it's warmer there than here.  I don't care if you're going to love me.  I'm mad.  You faked me out."
De-trailering at SunDancer's.  Scout's barefoot, but SunDancer didn't think barefoot was the way to go.
Scout being a gentleman in the pasture.
"Okay, I admit it, it's nice.  It's huge, it's grass, it's warmer, there's room to run, no holes, there's free hay...  Yep, I could get used to this.  Wait... what's over there?"
"Who are you?  You mean, all of this, and I've got good company too?"

Scout is checking out Captain (off camera).
Getting to know SunDancer's herd.
Captain says:
"Hey there.  Yep, this is a good group - and our lady takes really good care of us."
Scout (left) and Banshee greeting each other.
Scout and Banshee as though they've known each other for years (it's been perhaps 10 minutes).
Scout "scouting" the terrain.
There is sure to be more to this story.  Stay tuned...
 
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