Back on Track ‘Horse Therapy’: Carissa & Harley

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Each Tuesday we bring you a reader-submitted essay about a horse that has helped them get “back on track.” This week Carissa Rougeaux shares the story of Harley, who helped her heal from incredible loss.

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In May 2010 one of my very best friends, teammate and leasee at the time passed away leaving a brutal trail of grief through out the barn we rode at together.

Shortly after her passing the horse we shared, Rex, became lame with out a cause. We worked tirelessly with vets all over Southern California and Central California trying to get a diagnosis or something. Meanwhile, our barn brought in a few horses for some of the other riders to look at and I was able to help school them.

Harley was one of those horses. I absolutely adored him; however, I was still trying to get answers from vets regarding Rex and wasn’t able to get another horse. Several weeks went by and eventually we discovered the cause of Rex’s lameness was a brain tumor and we made the decision to put him to sleep. I was devastated: Not only did I lose my friend, but then also the horse we both loved so much.

After losing Rex I spent my time schooling the other sale horses and loving on Harley while he waited for his new home. My mom noticed how much Harley helped me through all the devastation and her and my grandma decided to buy him for me. Harley helped me through more than the loss of Rex and my friend. He helped me move up higher and get my confidence back as Rex was a very aggressive horse over fences and caused me to be afraid at some times which stopped me from showing.

I have had Harley for almost five years now, we’ve competed successfully, he’s helped me through even more tough times through out the years and even tolerated the 12 hour move we made to Nevada. I retired him from showing this year and now he enjoys his time being loved on by the little kids around the barn and teaching new riders how to ride, including my stepdaughter. I don’t know what  I would do with out my horse… he is truly my peace among the chaos.

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Here at Horse Nation, we believe that the best therapists are our own horses. We love sharing the stories of special equines and the lessons horses have taught us — email yours to [email protected] to be featured in an upcoming edition of Back on Track “Horse Therapy.” Go Back on Track, and Go Riding!

Best of Craigslist: ‘That’s Not Even a Horse’ Edition

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Featured in week’s edition of Best of Craigslist: a not-horse horse for sale, a saddle-for-sale ad that makes no sense whatsoever, a white Palomino, a sketchy “horse halling” business and much, much more!

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From Kaylene: “Haha I guess this is a joke, but you never know!”

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Beautiful Horse, no papers, guessing to be around 4 years old. Very sweet, very fast. When I bought her, the owners said she was broke to ride, but never rode her, no time. That’s why I am selling Buttercup. E-mail only please.

 

From Laine: “At least the pic got her ad some comments. Mostly ‘Can I get pix?’ ‘More pictures, please’ etc. Lol.”

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From Katie:
Color: white
Breed: Palamino
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From Melissa: “I just can’t even…. *facepalm* Internet fail of the day!!”

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From Lynn:

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From Halle: “I thought I should get this one out to the people at Horse Nation, seeing as how this horse looks really thin for a 3-year-old. Maybe a reader will be able to give this poor guy a new home. And the fact that they say it is a ‘brown horse’ and in ‘excellent shape’… I’m not sure whether the weight (or lack, thereof) or the lead rope is scaring me more!”

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From Amber: “Everyone needs a horse they can stand up on and canter.”

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Offering for sale a nice riding sorrel mare, she walks, trots, lopes, lead changes and backs nice, she side-passes, can be shot off of, we have used her to pony other horses, trail rides nicely, drags logs . She’s in training at Circle H Bar. Price may change without notice

 

From Katie: OMG…

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6yr old 14.5h he Is A Mustang Stallion red With black And Red Main And Tail 4 Black Socks He Leads Loads And Stands For Farrier used As A Breading stallion he Has Never Been Saddled He Is Easy To Catch And He Will Eat Out Of Your Hand He Is And Excalent Stallion To Break And Train very Fast Askin 300 obo

 

From Lynn: “I’d want this to go away as soon as possible too.”

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I have a old beat up trailer that was used for extra garbage or hauling dirt bikes and quads. It needs some TLC but would be a great garbage or bike trailer. Asking $400 or OBO, price is very negotiable. I need this gone by Tuesday of next week. Give me a call and come look at it

Readers, if you run across an “interesting” ad in your Internet wanderings, send it our way! Email the link to [email protected]. Who knows – maybe you’ll help connect a horse with a safe, loving home. Go Riding.