Absolute Charmer (Ace) showing off his mitten, Spring 2006.

The risk you face of losing interest in your horse can be predicted with the answer to two questions: Where is your horse stalled? And how frequently do you interact with or ride your horse?

There’s a low risk of losing interest if you keep your horse on your property and you work regularly with him. The risk increases if he’s stalled at a boarding facility and you have little personal interaction with him.

With that in mind, here’s a story about a horse that came into our lives.

A New Career

When people come to our farm, one horse who often gets noticed is Ace, a 15.1-hand-high, sleek chestnut gelding whose coat shines like a new copper penny in the sun. He has two stockings on his rear legs, but it’s the unique white mitten marking on his face that attracts comments.

Ace is a well-bred horse. Born Absolute Charmer on February 17, 1990, he was sired by a straight Russian-bred Arabian chestnut stallion out of a coal-black American Saddlebred mare. As a Breeding Entry in the Arabian Horse Association Breeder’s Sweepstakes program, Ace’s owner/breeder wanted to produce a Nominated Sire. The horse was destined to be a sweepstakes star.

During his first two years, Ace developed an impressive halter resume. His look and way of moving (sweep-snap with air), made him an absolute charmer in the show ring. His breeder was anticipating the colt’s success as a breeding stallion; but the veterinarian proclaimed Ace a cryptorchid (a horse with one or two retained testicles). His future as a Nominated Sire ended, and his owner had no place in his barn for a teaser stallion.

Ace came to our farm as a rescue of sorts. Once his condition had been confirmed, our boy was looking for a new place of employment. With his Sweepstake Certificate available, we set out to find Absolute Charmer a new career.

Our farm has always been known as a place where horses could be evaluated for trail riding. Vanessa enjoys finding new situations for what she calls "trail diamonds in the rough."

Ace was given to us with open papers and no expectations. We realized that the cost of gelding him would be upwards of one thousand dollars, but he had an exceptional temperament, and we were ready to help this horse in need.

Late that summer, a couple from the inner-city of Niagara Falls who owned a Quarter Horse pony was referred to us as potential boarding clients. They were excited about their new interest in horses and trail riding, and wanted to learn more. They drove out to visit nearly every weekend, and before too long became interested in Ace as a second horse.

Vanessa explained the work that would be needed to refine Ace as a trail horse and the cost of the cryptorchid surgery. They understood the costs and realized opportunity to own this well-bred horse. Soon, the papers were transferred with a one year boarding agreement as consideration.

Through the winter, the couple honed their horsemanship skills through lessons. Vanessa began training Ace and was able to get him under saddle with relative ease.

As the months passed, our friendship grew. It was wonderful to see them enjoying their horses as a couple.

While riding Ace, Vanessa discovered a horse that was not only willing to lead, but also exceptionally trail savvy. Even more important, Ace had a low standing heart rate, and great metabolic recoveries — qualities found in competitive distance riding horses. With Ace’s Sweepstakes status, we all started to see his money-winning potential.

Ace had a new career.

The 100-Mile Test

Within a year, Vanessa was riding Ace in local competitive trail rides. Ace did very well in 50-mile endurance races in Canada, Virginia, and even in the humidity of South Carolina.

But the big test was yet to come. Could he do well in a 100-mile endurance race? We decided to enter him in the 1999 International Arabian Horse Association Region 18 Championship to be held in Flesherton, Ontario. Vanessa would ride him. She knew competition would be stiff, because the event was also the Pan American Championship Qualifier. However, she welcomed the challenge knowing that Ace was fit and a good competitor.

The pinnacle of endurance racing is the 100-mile test. This event requires team effort, long hours, and strategic planning. We traveled to the ride site together and set up camp. With map in hand, we located the six rest stops, and rehearsed our routines to cool and calm Ace. Vanessa felt that it would be wise to keep him out of the fray and to let him "ride his own ride" — that is, choose his own pace. There would be a large field of entries.

At 6:00 the next morning, our friends and I watched in the mist as the 27 horses entered in the race left camp. Ace was kept in the back of the pack. As the day progressed, it was obvious that Ace was getting stronger. When Vanessa galloped Ace out of the last hold, we hooted and hollered with confidence that he was going to finish.

He did. Vanessa trotted Ace across the finish line just behind one of the world’s top horses in 10th place; a Top Ten! But better yet, he was awarded Grand Champion Half-Arabian in the Sweepstakes Competition. Our friends went home with an armload of prizes, a trophy, and a check to follow in the mail. It was the height of Ace’s career.

Crewing for their horse at the 100 race at Flesherton was rewarding for our friends from Niagara Falls. It also created a spiritual bond between Ace and Vanessa. That bond has never wavered.

Ace, Abandoned

As the years ticked by, life’s events happened. The relationship between our friends fell on hard times. The wife was laid off from her job at DuPont and moved to North Carolina to be with her family. Visits to the farm to see Ace ended. After she left, her husband developed health problems and eventually had a series of strokes that forced him into a nursing home.

In the financial problems that followed, Ace was abandoned at our farm. At age 15, he’s sound and healthy, living in our pasture overlooking Canandaigua Lake with a desire to go and do again. He needs someone to adopt him and be his new best friend.

Wherever you keep your horse, horse ownership’s rewards lie in the bond created between your horse and you while sharing experiences. Feeding, grooming, and trail riding are all great ways to bond with your horse.

To experience everything horse ownership has to offer, get out there and do things with your horse. You’ll build a relationship that will result in a rewarding experience that, in turn, will benefit you both.