Ricochet and Jasper - adopted at 10 months
by Lindy Minten

Wow, tears actually come to my eyes just thinking about our absolutely wonderful experience with our boys. Our story starts just a little over a year ago in Feb. 2008. I have had horses all of my life and spent the last fifteen years taking in abused and neglected horses. Talk about heartbreak and money pits. When the last horse died (Willy -will he live) I figured it made little sense to keep rescuing these old guys just so the person I bailed out could get a "new" one.

My daughter was given a Pryor Mnt. mustang, Thunder, by my girlfriend who had adopted him as a yearling. He is a fabulous animal and has cared for my little girl for several years. She has done all kinds of 4-H stuff with him and well, she is no longer a little girl. I wanted her to have the opportunity, just as I had as a kid, to start with a baby - ground up - earn the relationship. Thunder is such a great boy so I started looking at the Mustangs located near us in Burns. They sent us a few pictures and a girlie roadtrip was planned. Call me crazy but I figured it would be more fun for us to do this together.

So off we went, it was so exciting. Five hours of driving, a night in the hotel, early to the gate, a tour of the animals....then the hard part of choosing just one. Needless to say we just couldn't so we talked my girlfriend into taking a little black three month old filly and my brother in law into a really spunky flazen sorrel baby. My daughter picked a Belgium Sorrel and I picked the "ugly" one figuring he would just be a pet and who knows - maybe he would turn out to be a beautiful swan.

The first two came in March (Ranger the little sorrel, and Jasper my daughter's boy). Man were they scared but it didn't take long at all before they were eating out of our hands, leading, letting us brush and put a kid saddle on them, and finally only a month into it - out for a walk to the orchard to eat grass. Then came the other two - Ricochet (my ugly duckling) and Cadence (the little black filly). He was so ugly. Every morning we would go out to play with the babies. We would eat our breakfast in the barn - often sharing with them. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. With all of the horses I have owned in my forty odd years I have never fallen so head over heals. You just can't help yourself.

Sadly just a month after the last two came I was involved in a really bad car accident. The first few months were really hard and I lost interest and ability to hang with the babies. Somehow they all sensed I was hurt because they were ever so gentle and sweet. Ricochet would actually put his head on my chest and want me to cover up his eyes in a hug.

Once tamed both Ranger and Cadence went home leaving just the two boys here with us. I call them boys because they are. They rear up on each other, bite and chase each other, and play so hard yet never once hurt the other. It is really something to see. Jasper has a mean trick of biting Ricochet in the back leg forcing him to sit down. Once Ricochet does Jasper stands over his so he can't get back up. They are such teenagers and so entertaining. Even my non horse loving mom in law comes out to watch them play.

So fast forward a year and they are both beautiful. Jasper has a stunning color and the same personality my daughter's Thunder has. She started riding him and he acted as if he has been doing it all of his life. Obviously I have lost some ground with training my boy and will unfortunately have to send him to a trainer. It breaks my heart to have to give up on my dream to be a twelve year old little girl and training my own baby.... and the dream of doing this with my little girl. But life is like that I suppose and we have to make the best of it.

Ricochet is my love. He nickers when I come and snuggles with me. He is such a good boy - although he likes to crowhop around the arena when you cinch up his saddle. He always runs right back to me like "mom, mom, I'm scared". He is such a big baby. At two he is over 15 hands and still growing like a weed. He is also the most bizarre color - somewhere between Sooty buckskin and Gurulla (sorry and the spelling). He changes throughout the year and I have yet to see another horse like him. I have never known one to love like he does. Intelligent, sweet, concerned about pleasing me, funny, and a total goof ball. He makes me laugh and can totally gross out my husband when he carefully takes a pepermint from my lips....

Bottom line is they are awesome and they need someone to love them and give them a home. Their future is totally dependent on you and me stepping up. I wish I could take them all home but obviously I can only do my part. A story I heard long ago about a man picking up starfish who had been beached and putting them back in the ocean. An onlooker told him there were so many and he couldn't save them all it wouldn't matter. As he picked up the next starfish and returned it to the water he replied "It mattered to this one". If you are thinking about a horse I can tell you it won't be easy - but it will be worth it. I only wish we could add pictures so you could see what a lovely boy my ugly horse has become!!

Have a great day!! Lindy