Chester

From AlexBrownRacing

Remembering Chester

Date of Entrance to the Rainbow Bridge: April 15, 2007

Breed and age if known: ex-amish belgian draft. Age - teens or later?

Rescue Horse was at: board member of Equihab but not technically an Equihab horse

-

Background Information

Chester was found at the New Holland auction in 2004, and cost all of about $275. He arrived in the fall and he enjoyed the winter off to rest & gain weight.

Chester was the kind of horse anyone could ride. We just put a saddle on him, and even know the Amish don't use saddles, he went along with it trying his best. He never gave anyone a moment of trouble, never bit or kicked at anyone. His only quirk was he didn't know how to lift his feet (not surprising since he was from an Amish farm). All the big-name methods didn't work, but we stumbled on clicker training and got instant results. He was clever and got lessons immediately.

Chester was good at clicker training, and he was fortunate enough to be in an Alexandra Kurland clinic. Everyone got to meet him & practice with him. They were facinated by his over-17hh size but such gentle nature.

He was moved to a boarding barn so he could be enjoyed through the muddy weather. He was so quiet, he was used in some of their therapeutic riding lessons. He was an amazingly quiet beginners trail horse who you just could not spook. He was loyal and he would follow his owner around the barn or yard. He developed a following. The kids at this barn would bring in drawings they made of him, and they'd bring him treats.

He went on to begin testing for the Maryland Mounted Search and Rescue, but time constraints prevented the completion of this.

He came back home to live, going to Fair Hill or other places for trail rides.

Chester appeared in the Cecil County 2006 Holiday Parade, marching down Main Street of North East, Maryland in front of thousands of people. He didn't mind a bit being covered in bows and felt. He was like a christmas gift that kept giving to everyone he met.

Although he wasn't at a therapy barn, he still had disabled people ride him. For awhile a local developmentally disabled young lady would come each week to ride him. He was so forgiving of riders who themselves weren't sure what they wanted. Another rider was overweight and had bad fibro myalgia, and he good great care of her. His kind gentle nature allowed people to ride who probably wouldn't get another chance to ride for a long time.

How did the amish just throw away such a horse... just because he wasn't young anymore? He was almost bought by a kill-buyer to be reduced to a pile of meat, bones, and viscera.... such a waste.

He passed away after a sudden illness. Despite the work of 3 vets, special medicine rushed in from New Bolton, and several days wearing feeding tube, he lay down and could not rise. He was humanely euthanized by a vet in his stall.

He inspired me (the owner) to get involved in horse rescue and to work to prevent other good horses like him from being slaughtered. He indirectly has already help save dozens of horses' lives.

In Loving Memory

He is a once in a lifetime horse, and I don't know how I got to be so lucky to be the one who got him.

Never overlook a horse in a meat auction or killpen. They may be your diamond in the rough!