“A lovely horse is always an experience… it is an emotional experience of the kind that is spoiled by words.”
–Beryl Markham, West With The Night
Thoroughbred-Paint Mare
Hopie’s arrival long preceeded the founding of Horses With Hope. Hopie’s mother, an emaciated Thoroughbred mare with a filly on the way, was pulled from a terrible situation in northern Maine. When her healthy, long-legged filly was born, everyone considered it a miracle. Hopie was always an easy horse to work with, and her sociable nature made her popular with her trainer. When the owner moved overseas, Hopie was regrettably placed with a woman who promised a long-term, caring home. But just two days later, Hopie’s trainer got a disturbing message: a veterinarian friend called to say Hopie was being vetted in order to be sold again! Hopie’s trainer rushed down to the vet clinic, and had the new owner sign a First Right of Refusal contract. Ten years passed before we heard of Hopie again. After multiple bouts with stomach ulcers in Hopie’s life and some major changes in the life of her owner, the woman kindly honored HWH by calling and asking if we would like Hopie to return to us. She arrived in October from the Carolinas, and spent a chilly winter well-blanketed against the Maine cold. Hopie was as bright and beautiful as ever, although her back, a problem even when young, had continued to bother her. She spent her first fall back at the farm recuperating and getting conditioned for some light winter riding. Pain-free today, she continues to receive body work on a regular basis. For 2014, we are expecting to show this lovely mare lightly in jumper classes as an ambassador for rescued horses.
