WallE:

The year 2020 was a year looked back upon in horror for most of the population. This is also true for WallE and I. After years of struggling to come together and clock as a team and perfect our pattern, we were ready. WallE and I were ready to go! We had gone to a couple of races and were clocking right up there with the best of them. We had hauled to a race and were feeling solid, heading into the first barrel the ground didn't hold of and we took a tumble. We both walked out of the arena fine, but after that we struggled to clock. We had our vet look him over and he was ever so slightly off, not ever visibly lame and any gait, but he had a sprain the size of two quarters on his deep digital flexor tendon! Unfortunately, that meant a year off for recovery, but recovery was had! WallE is now back competing and back to consistently placing in the 1/2D and has not ever taken a lame step from the injury. 

Xena: 

Purchased as a weanling through the Dakota 50/50 Sale, Xena is my pride and joy. I had done everything with her; started her on groundwork, under saddle and with a couple unfortunate accidents we did finally make it to our break out year to futurity! Now, Xena always has access to an excess of speed. She was always a little hot and her feet have the ability to move faster than her brain most days. Working to overcome those things in her futurity year she ended the year inconsistently clocking in the 2D. During the winter months we were working to build our Horsemanship and I noticed there was a spot just in front of her SI Joint that I could not get to stay in place and was constantly sore. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I am a worry wart and I read too much. She had never offered a buck, tail swish or any other pain response to indicate she would be sore, but I wanted to get her examined for Kissing Spine. Turns out it was a good bet. She had a total of 7 spots needing surgery and 2 that were completely bridged. We are in her recovery and rehabilitation process now but we are confident that she will be back stronger and ready to go in July 2022!

Phoebe:

What's one more story of hope, right?! I bought Phoebe from AER Performance Horses as a long yearling. This girl was athletic as all get out, and let me tell you she tried me every step of the way! I started ground work and she was fabulous! Once she was pretty set in her ground work I went to saddle her. She showed her true athletic ability and bucked (like welcome to the Thomas and Mack bucked) everyday for about 40 days. I had sent her to be started back to AER Performance Horses and wouldn't you know it, she was the easiest colt to start! She came back after 30 days and was an absolute gem! Progressing through her 3 year old year I was so excited to futurity this filly! Enter March of 2024, we loped our very first pretty and correct pattern! The next day, our girl was three legged lame. Turns out she broke her patella. 10 weeks in a stall is tough for any horse, but especially a four year old. She made it through like a champ! With the help of Dr. Clayton at Towner Animal Health, our modalities, and some help from our friends at Presence Equine Therapy, Phoebe is back on track to make a full comeback!