Dusty is our dun-colored Snowflake Appaloosa mare, born in 1985. She was purchased from a local vet as a 12-year-old for Rebecca’s daughter, Amanda, to ride in the local Pony Club. Rebecca converted Dusty from a team penning and western trail horse into an eventing and Pony Club horse. Dusty went to Aunt Natalie’s house for about eight years when Amanda became deeply involved in All-Star Cheerleading. Cousins Kristen and Kyle worked, rode, showed, and enjoyed her in local 4-H events and on trail rides. Dusty came back to ThaddleDo Farm in 2015 and entered the lessons program in Jonesville, but is now retired to our Gainesville farm.
Dusty is a mare who is a little unpredictable, as most Appy’s are. So depending on the confidence of the rider and the weather and how balanced you are as a rider, she is selected for riding a more advanced, strong minded rider. We have changed her bit to a very mild and comfortable snaffle, which all the horses here get anyway, and she is fed lots of love with carrots (her fav), peppermints and apples.
When Dusty arrived home from her stay with Aunt Nat’s…Nik, Sissy and Oncore all remembered her immediately, even though they had not seen or smelled each other in about eight years. Within ten minutes, Oncore and Dusty were grazing muzzle to muzzle, as if no time had passed. It was a very boring reunite, with no high tailing or kicking. I was happy for that, although I must admit, I love seeing the horses high tail around the pasture, hollering and frolicking. It’s amazing what horses do remember.
