2007 Black Shire Mare
April x Alfie, "Kyphosis" Mare
So what do you get when you cross two National Champion Shire Horses? Perfection, right? Well in some cases the cards don't fall right and Annie is the result of "bad luck". Born with kyphosis of the spine (curvature of the spine that looks more like a camel) and OCD in her hocks, she is kind of a lemon. But, no one told her she has issues! So she acts like a horse with no issues at all!
Annie's Story
I offered to bring Annie home as a yearling and let her live out her days. At the time there wasn't much literature on her condition and most horses had to be euthanized young due to spine discomfort so I didn't know what to expect. But now, 15 years later, she is still going strong! She can not be ridden or driven due to her spine, so is just a pasture pet, and she loves people (especially ones that bring carrots) but she doesn't trust pretty much anyone other than me for haltering, etc. Once haltered she is perfect, she just has to let you know it's on her terms :).
Annie's second chance
I made the mistake of trusting a then best friend to care for Annie and Cassie on a large property in Colorado in fall 2017. in Jan 2019 I got word she was starving, so brought her and Cassie home and within 6 months brought her back from the brink of death. When she came back, her eye was solid black, she had mentally checked out, she knew she didn't have much longer to live. So I made her the promise that she would never again leave my care as long as she lived on this earth. She has flourished once again and is living her best life with her herdmates! And getting daily carrots :).