Sky's on Fire

I have been asked by several people to tell Sky's story.  So here goes.  I hope I can tell it in a way to do him justice.

It was early December and we had an important errand to run.  First we had to deliver Velvet to Van Bert Farms for her date with a stallion called RHF Benjamin Franklin.  We left her  in capable hands and headed for the hills.  Actually the foothills of the Appalachians in Eastern Kentucky to look at a couple of horses a man had for sale.

After a about forty five minutes we arrived at the barn where the horses were stalled.  We met the owner's wife and were soon in the barn looking at the two horses we were there to buy.  The sun was bright for a December day but when I opened one of the stall doors it seemed dark.  Behind the closed door I could still see a horse that surprised me for the amount of bones I could see throughout his skinny body.  It was hard to tell what color he really was.

In the meantime the other stall door had been opened to a expose a very thin chocolate gelding.   The horses were led out to let us look at them in the sun light.  Both seemed very sweet and very willing to to do as asked.  I liked them but I just wasn't sure about what I was buying.

The check was signed, the horses were loaded and the papers were signed over.  We were on the road with the horses and on the way.  On the way home I stopped at the Park's Equine Clinic.  I had the two horses examined from head to hoof.  They pronounced them in good health all though very thin.

Late in the afternoon we got home with the two new horses.  We put them in stalls and looked them over.  I was still wondering what I was doing with two horses that looked like that.  I buy good horses that are beautiful and look like they are ready to go into the show ring or will be ready to show soon.  Or horses that I can get out on the trails.  These two looked like buzzard bait.  Poor things but the people at Whispering Oaks Farm love horses and will do what ever is necessary to take good care of any horse that comes to our farm.

The next morning we led the two horses out to the arena to let them get some exercise.  We were all watching to see what these two horses were going to do.  We didn't know how long they had been stalled up without being turned out   I did know that Sky had been shod back in the spring of 2011 and that he had lost his shoes in the stall.  His feet looked like they hadn't been trimmed since that time.  It was December of 2012.

They just stood there for a long time.  Sky and Guy were at their new home but they didn't seem to know what to do with an area larger than a 12x12 stall.  Finally Sky decided he would take a little run.  Guy just stood there and looked at him.  Finally he decided he would like to try that too so he started to run too.

Both of them stopped and sniffed the ground.  There was still some shoots of green grass.  Sky started picking around to grab a few bites.  Guy didn't know exactly what to do with it so it was sniffing around on this strange stuff on the ground.  Finally he too decided he might try it.  And he liked it.

More running, some grazing and some more running.  They were beginning to enjoy their new found freedom.  Then they rolled and rolled.  They were loving these "open spaces".   They went back in the stall that night while we were thinking about how to handle these two horses that hadn't had exercise for however long.  And we didn't know how long it had been.   The main thing was to make sure we didn't work them too hard, too fast.

After a few days we decided we would put them out with the cows.  This seemed to be a good idea.  They had to walk up the hill to eat the hay and back down the hill to get their water.  We also fed them by the barn  so they had to do some more walking to get there.

In February I thought I needed to take another course of action for Sky.  His mane had been combed out and a lot of mane had come out.  It was barely long enough to know he had an actual mane.  The farrier had been here and he and Guy each had a new hoof job.  Chris and Stacie had done his teeth and found he still had wolf teeth although one had been broken off.

So in February I loaded him up and headed to Chris and Stacie's stable.  This started the new chapter in Sky's life.  In the meanwhile, Guy stayed here to get his training under saddle here.

At that time, we were having show committee meetings every Tuesday.  I made it a point to leave early so I could go see Sky.  By this time, Chis had decided his name should actually be Darrell Strawberry because of his color.  He soon shortened it down to Strawberry.  And that is his barn name.  Every week it was thrilling to see how Sky was changing.  Stacie had already started with a daily routine of grooming.  His mane was still very short but it seemed every week, it had grown a little more.  She had his tail looking shiny and clean.  In the meantime, Chris was working on his diet.  He was gaining weight.  He was even putting a little muscle on.  They were putting him on the hot walker every day and riding him lightly.

Chris had started him out to make sure he would be ok for Stacie to ride but soon Stacie was riding him almost exclusively.  All the time, he was getting fed three times a day.  He was getting groomed and having the best of care.  He was getting basic training.  And most of all he was getting loved on and brushed and bathed every day.  He was rapidly responding to the special care he was getting every day.

Now let me say this about Sky, he was a sweet horse from the first day I laid eyes on him.  He had the most wonderful disposition I have ever seen on any horse.  But he bloomed under the care that Chris and Stacie have given him.  We decided that Sky would not be used for breeding until we got his mind straight about being ridden.  He was a six year old with a two year old mind as far as riding him.

Spring turned into summer and though Sky was making stunning progress yet we really didn't think he would be ready for any of the International or World Shows.  But still, here we were the end of August and Sky was in the show ring at the World Show in the conformation class and he won the reserve championship.  Under Saddle class saw Sky again getting a lot of attention.  No ribbon but we were all so proud of him.  All of what he was experiencing was new to him.  He had left the farm where I bought him, taken to WOF, then to Cool Shade and now to the World Show.  I can't tell you how proud I am of this horse.  And how thankful to Chris and Stacie for the care they have given him.

Every week brought new changes to Sky and his looks were improving every day.  By the time the RMHA International Show came around we were really excited about his progress.  Once again, he walked into the show ring and came out with the Reserve Grand Championship for stallions 6-9 years old.  Then he went on to win his under saddle class as the International Grand Champion Stallion in the 6-9 age group.

October came and he was in a totally new arena again at the KMSHA International Show.  No ribbons this time but he sure got a lot of looks.  Everyone loves his color, his disposition and his gait.

Today I took two mares to Cool Shade.  Both are going to be bred to Sky and I am very excited about the prospect of having two babies on the ground for him this time next year.

Sky's on Fire has a story like a fairy tale.  I am so bless by God that I have been a part of Sky's story.  And we are all a part of His Story.  We can find His Story in a series of 66 books.  These stories are found in the Bible.  Where do you fit into that story?  Read the book and find where you fit. I am happy to say I already know where I fit into the story. 

God bless all of you and happy trails.

Mary