The Story of Toonie
We first saw Toonie at the Fraser Valley Auction in September of 1998, at a time when young fillies were being bought for PMU (Pregnant Mare Urine) farms. PMU farms are one of the most horrific places a mare could go; a factory type environment with countless abuses for a horse to face. Then if the mare doesn't perform she’s off to the slaughterhouse! Thankfully all of the PMU farms in Alberta have since been shut down, although 75 farms still exist in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and North Dakota.
Toonie’s name was Comet, she was about two years old and she came in a trailer with a load of stuff from Alberta. She was underweight, had untrimmed feet, yellow muck in her eyes and what looked like bite marks all over. We had gone to the auction to rescue one horse and we bought three. She was temporarily placed with a woman named Mandy who renamed her Fortunate (nick named “Toonie”). Next we moved her to Alison’s barn where we first saw her duck under a hitching rail while running amok, not an easy feat for a large animal.
At this time it was Janice who cared for her for about 4 yrs. She developed amazing escape capabilities, like jumping a fence from a standstill, or taking down the fence boards if that suited her. Finally she had to be moved again! After a brief stay with a friend, Amy, Toonie went off to a barn in Chilliwack where she continually disassembled her paddock. We wondered if she would be content anywhere? Luckily, while she was there she caught the attention of Shawn. She was leased to him with a warning of her escapisms. She lived in Hope (quietly) and seemed very settled with a large pasture to wander in.
When Shawn moved to Langley she resumed her favourite pastime, which included running full tilt through a fence and jumping an aluminium gate, (we have an after picture of the gate) and she had to be moved yet again. It wasn’t until the following year that it became apparent that Toonie had been on a “romantic” interlude. She delivered her foal May 7th, 2008, in a field during a storm. (See next Newsletter for the story of baby "Abby"). Mom and baby were moved to a quiet stable in Langley. This pretty, champagne coloured Appaloosa mare has settled in nicely. She seems to have no desire to go anywhere else, and best of all she has found a family. Toonie is being tentatively adopted by Tammy and her daughter Courtney. She is doing very well in a training program with Jill Hartzenberg, and we are confident that she will have a happy and successful future. Good Luck Toonie!
As we have said before, HPS believes that to rescue a horse is not enough. That horse must ultimately be assessed, trained and matched with an appropriate home. The training process equips the horse for the future, and helps in the matching process.
To that end, Toonie received 6 weeks of professional training from Jill Hartzenberg, following work begun by one of our dedicated volunteers, Steven Stark. The hope was to place her in a loving home being offered by Tammy and her daughter, Courtney. At the end of six weeks it was evident that Toonie would not be suitable for use as a family horse. It was with regret that Tammy had to pass on her, but it was in the best interest of all concerned.
Fortunately, we were able to place Toonie in what we hope will be a forever home. With the help of Gena at Outback Jacks Horse Rescue in Princeton, BC, Toonie was adopted by Herb, a local cowboy. Herb along with his neighbour and horse partner, Dale, have had many years of experience with horses and looked forward to the challenge Toonie offered them.
Toonie travelled well, although was clearly miffed when she realized we were leaving home without her “buddies”; she got off the trailer like she owned the place and proceeded to make new friends immediately. Herb was unable to meet us when we delivered Toonie, but Dale was there. I think it was “love at first sight” for both of them.
After Toonie had a rest and a snack out in the pasture, Dale saddled up and took her for a ride. Toonie was quick to offer Dale a challenge by rearing up a few times, but Dale was unperturbed, remained well seated, and in the end they had a terrific ride.
Now I think Toonie will have two cowboys competing for her….isn’t that every girl’s dream? Many thanks to Jill, Starks, Tammy and Courtney for starting the ball rolling; and big thanks to Gena for facilitating a great match. Of course we all owe our thanks to Herb and Dale, and our best wishes to them and to Toonie for many hours of fun in the saddle!
Below is a picture of Dale and Gena with Toonie.
Toonie’s name was Comet, she was about two years old and she came in a trailer with a load of stuff from Alberta. She was underweight, had untrimmed feet, yellow muck in her eyes and what looked like bite marks all over. We had gone to the auction to rescue one horse and we bought three. She was temporarily placed with a woman named Mandy who renamed her Fortunate (nick named “Toonie”). Next we moved her to Alison’s barn where we first saw her duck under a hitching rail while running amok, not an easy feat for a large animal.
At this time it was Janice who cared for her for about 4 yrs. She developed amazing escape capabilities, like jumping a fence from a standstill, or taking down the fence boards if that suited her. Finally she had to be moved again! After a brief stay with a friend, Amy, Toonie went off to a barn in Chilliwack where she continually disassembled her paddock. We wondered if she would be content anywhere? Luckily, while she was there she caught the attention of Shawn. She was leased to him with a warning of her escapisms. She lived in Hope (quietly) and seemed very settled with a large pasture to wander in.
When Shawn moved to Langley she resumed her favourite pastime, which included running full tilt through a fence and jumping an aluminium gate, (we have an after picture of the gate) and she had to be moved yet again. It wasn’t until the following year that it became apparent that Toonie had been on a “romantic” interlude. She delivered her foal May 7th, 2008, in a field during a storm. (See next Newsletter for the story of baby "Abby"). Mom and baby were moved to a quiet stable in Langley. This pretty, champagne coloured Appaloosa mare has settled in nicely. She seems to have no desire to go anywhere else, and best of all she has found a family. Toonie is being tentatively adopted by Tammy and her daughter Courtney. She is doing very well in a training program with Jill Hartzenberg, and we are confident that she will have a happy and successful future. Good Luck Toonie!
As we have said before, HPS believes that to rescue a horse is not enough. That horse must ultimately be assessed, trained and matched with an appropriate home. The training process equips the horse for the future, and helps in the matching process.
To that end, Toonie received 6 weeks of professional training from Jill Hartzenberg, following work begun by one of our dedicated volunteers, Steven Stark. The hope was to place her in a loving home being offered by Tammy and her daughter, Courtney. At the end of six weeks it was evident that Toonie would not be suitable for use as a family horse. It was with regret that Tammy had to pass on her, but it was in the best interest of all concerned.
Fortunately, we were able to place Toonie in what we hope will be a forever home. With the help of Gena at Outback Jacks Horse Rescue in Princeton, BC, Toonie was adopted by Herb, a local cowboy. Herb along with his neighbour and horse partner, Dale, have had many years of experience with horses and looked forward to the challenge Toonie offered them.
Toonie travelled well, although was clearly miffed when she realized we were leaving home without her “buddies”; she got off the trailer like she owned the place and proceeded to make new friends immediately. Herb was unable to meet us when we delivered Toonie, but Dale was there. I think it was “love at first sight” for both of them.
After Toonie had a rest and a snack out in the pasture, Dale saddled up and took her for a ride. Toonie was quick to offer Dale a challenge by rearing up a few times, but Dale was unperturbed, remained well seated, and in the end they had a terrific ride.
Now I think Toonie will have two cowboys competing for her….isn’t that every girl’s dream? Many thanks to Jill, Starks, Tammy and Courtney for starting the ball rolling; and big thanks to Gena for facilitating a great match. Of course we all owe our thanks to Herb and Dale, and our best wishes to them and to Toonie for many hours of fun in the saddle!
Below is a picture of Dale and Gena with Toonie.
