This is Winnie...I have posted many photos since she has moved here and even before that. Fortunately for her, over a year ago she hooked up with the Kenney Family. Their daughter,Justine had been taking riding lessons and when they were ready to buy a horse, Winnie must have been out there calling to them. Her owner could no longer ride and wanted her in a good home...and voila, they appeared. The whole family loves this horse! All of them. And they are so committed to the quality of her life they go above and beyond to make sure she has what she needs. She will be 20 years old this spring and can still do it all. She has evented, been driven, gone in lead line classes with the Kenney's young son, been used for lessons, visited a nursing home, gone to a school for the blind etc. Winnie (with vision in only one eye) can still jump and she takes good care of her rider. That's just part of the story. The Kenney's are extremely generous with their time and energy...wanting to help around the farm. We are in a co-op situation and Justine does chores two times a week. Her Mom and Dad are always there if she needs help and if Winnie needs something, they are on it. You can't imagine how much snow blowing Darrin has done in the past week. They are the most giving people I have ever met...and believe me, they have learned an enormous amount about horses and caring for them over the past year. And by the by...I love having help!
Here is Winnie in the late 90s when she was eventing. What a beautiful girl.
Such a pretty! For a moment, I thought Winnie and Co. were wearing kilts! For some reason, I have Scots in the brain tonight.
ReplyDeleteYou, ny girl, bring good people into your life, because you attract them with your light.
Happy New Year Lori, It has been such a pleasure making your acquaintance from so far away. Thank you for your kind words regarding the loss of my dear Max. An obvious dog lover, I know you know. I look so forward to more wonderful stories about the residents of Skoog Farm.
ReplyDeleteCherie
It's nice to see there are people who take care of their horse when he has become too old for competition.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many who don't...
Sure it's nice for you to have someone to help you.
Have a happy New Year, you and all your family.
See you soon
Phyto
Sentiment from each Kenney Family Member: Justine is still on cloud 9 from "receiving praise from Mrs. Skoog regarding doing the chores well". She is set on working on improving speed and efficiency. We were speechless by your comments. Such a compliment from you, one who knows a lot about horses and provides top notch all the way, is a high and intimidating bar for us to aspire to. Winnie is definitely a loved member of our family, that is thought of and discussed by all daily. Winnie, reace name Rate 2 Win should be named Winner of Hearts, since she seems to do that. We have extended family members that thought we were nuts and/or are scared of horses, but they have come to enjoy her. When dealing with the blind and disabled kids, the group that was scared to death of the horses and would not participate. Winnie slowly gravitated to them, licking tears and showing off. She would let them touch her anywhere and smell her. After awhile, she was the only horse they would get near, and each one of them took at least one ride on her. To see a blind, autistic child go from fear to screaming "look at me Winnie and I are strong" as Win did her happy slow trot was incredible. We are extremely fortunate to have such a sweet girl, that has been tolerant of us, taught us much and has much more to teach us. We've had many a sleepless night wondering if newbies luck us could make such a good and accomplished horses life as pleasurable as it should be. Since being at the Skoog Farm she seems to interact and bond with us much more. Thank you for allowing all of us to be with you and for treating Winnie as another one of the beloved horses rather than someone elses annoying horse. Thank you and Gary for your compassion, patience, teaching and for giving us all a chance. Hopefully it will not be too much bother for you.
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