Thanks to Our September Sponsor
Larry Doshkind of Redwood City is sponsoring the month of September in honor of my horse, Laertes.
Laertes was found by the side of a road in Salinas when he was four years old. He was half-starved, beaten, and wearing a yearling halter that was so tight it had actually deformed the bone in the front of his face. One of his nostrils had been pulled out. He had scars across his face from the beatings.
He was taken in by a kind-hearted woman who nursed him back to health. I bought him from her, but at the time he still did not trust people. It would take three people and up to an hour to get a halter on him. I spent two years working with him, rehabilitating him and training him using Natural Horsemanship methods. He turned into a very sweet little guy who loves children. I use him when I work with kids, especially autistic children. He seems to understand them in a very special way.
Three years ago we were boarding at a barn where the woman was going through a divorce. To save money, she bought some low-quality hay and fed it to Laertes. Laertes became very ill and had to be hospitalized. The vet did not think he would make it and advised me to put Laertes down. The vet reasoned that Laertes was not a very valuable horse and the vet bills would more than exceed his worth and even, if he was worth more, the odds were against him.
I went into Laertes' stall to pray over him and decide what to do. Laertes leaned against me. He was in a great deal of pain, but he looked at me and his eyes said that he wanted to fight, so I told the vet that as long as Laertes was willing to fight for his life, I wasn't giving up on him either.
Six thousand dollars and three weeks later, Laertes came home and a week after that, we were back on the trail.
A few weeks ago, we met a small girl with her mom on the trail. The little girl was delighted to share her Doritos with Laertes. Laertes is also partial to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Laertes was happy to give her a short ride in exchange.
I've had Laertes for seven years now. Folks see my 11 year old son riding him and say "What a great horse! Is he for sale?"
Not at any price.
Thanks, Larry!
If you would like to sponsor a month of CADzette issues for $50, click the link below :
