Faith is always a choice, and Faith came to Sunshadow on Saturday, August 27th, 2011, in the form of a gorgeous black/bay Thoroughbred mare with issues.  I had been praying for a mount for our friend Gil because we lost his Fancy, our wonderful Tennessee Walker, to colic a year ago last June.  We are hoping Faith will settle into being a sound and trail-worthy companion for us.  She has nice conformation and is a good size at 15.2 hands.  I am told she can really jump.  However, we all know the caveat about ‘gift horses,’ and this mare exceeds expectations. Dr. Conn said we could be ‘generous’ and say Faith was about 18 years old—give or take.

This mare comes with one of the most extensive hard-luck stories I have ever heard.  It seems Faith was rescued from the Malibu fire years ago before her most recent past owner acquired her.  She had only been in her new home here in the Antelope Valley a short time when her stable mate succumbed to hot weather colic and she was all alone except for her humans.  Then, someone abandoned a pit bull on her owner’s property and Faith was viciously attacked.  I have seen the pictures.  The extent of the damage was so extreme, it took 18 months of rehabilitation and treatment, several times a day, to keep the wounds flushed and healing.  Her entire left shoulder was a pocket of pus and drainage.  Her ears had literally been ripped off her head.  The attending vet, Dr. David Byerly, did an amazing job and Faith’s ears are perfectly attached, functional and expressive.  Beautiful work.

Faith’s list of ‘issues’ is extensive, and we have plenty of challenges ahead of us helping her find what I call her ‘inner mustang.’  She cannot be tied without breaking tackle or herself.  She kicks.  She bites the air, and likely us, if we are less than vigilant.  She has no patience.  She is pushy.  She is exceedingly buddy sour on Lawrence’s Paint mare, Beauty, and works herself into a lather if they are separated, even momentarily.  She must be fed first, goodies first, …or else!  She has been taught to rear on cue.  She has not been ridden out on trails.  She hates flat work—loves to jump, we are told.  Flexes and gives poorly.  Needs painkillers regularly because she is prone to ‘soreness,’ and the list goes on.

Still, Faith is our choice.  As one of the small Sunshadow herd, she will get the best care and training we can provide.  Consistency, a solid program, good feed and plenty of exercise are already paying dividends.  As a bonus, we are seeing a smart and sleek lady emerge from the cranky despot that first came to our holding.  Faith holds great promise.  And I am ever mindful, Faith is a choice.