When our readers write in to express feelings or thoughts on a matter or situation close to their own heart, it’s always a delight to reach out and connect.
Abbey Reeve recently wrote to ask if we’d publish a piece on the work her mum, Kelly Russell, has done with all three horses in her care, two being rescues. Abbey wanted to acknowledge and show her appreciation to her mum by publishing a piece on the horses, how they came to be a member of the family and a little on their quirky personalities.
Beautiful Millie
“Millie didn’t have the best start to life”, Abbey explained “She was used for competitive jumping back in her prime before she came into my mum’s hands. As a youngster she was imported from Ireland baring many scars which included a huge round dent in her forehead as if she had been hit with a pole”.
Abbey told us of how Millie’s tongue was damaged, it was feared she had been forced to wear a barbed wire bit before she came to England. When Millie was retired from jumping at 16, Abbey’s mum snapped her up after meeting her and falling head over heels.
“Millie was quiet but sweet, she wasn’t fond of a few things! My mum found out while hacking that plastic bags and donkeys are not things that Millie is fond of! But from knowing Millies quiet, subdued, cautious nature when I first met her to what she is like now, is a testament to my mum’s love, patience, and empathy. Millie dotes on my mum Kelly and my mum dotes on her too. I believe these two beautiful souls were meant to find one another, to help each other heal from their pasts; and they have done just that”.
“But from knowing Millies quiet, subdued, cautious nature when I first met her to what she is like now, is a testament to my mum’s love, patience, and empathy”
Dylan … the Villian
Bought as a companion for Millie, chunky Dylan was underweight when Abbey’s mum initially brought him home, but that soon changed.
“Dylan’s character is the opposite to Millie” remarked Abbey, “he is the cheekiest little horse you will ever meet! He is always up to mischief, so he has acquired the nickname Dylan the Villian!” she continued.
“He has the most amazing inquisitive nature which I believe has brought Millie on even more”
Dylan soon turned into a family favorite, with Abbey’s dad even taking a liking to the pony; “Something we didn’t anticipate is my Dad falling in love with Dylan! Which is the sweetest relationship to have had the joy to watch flourish; I’m pretty sure my dad would keep Dylan in the house if he could!” joked Abbey.
Annie, the 16.2hh Shetland …
Annie was the last horse to join the Russell family, continued Abbey; “Annie is beautiful, inside and out! As she is only two, she is constantly looking for something to occupy her mind. From kicking the water bucket to the other side of the field to climbing into the poo pile and jumping out, she’s always on the go!”
Abbey describes Annie as a complete ‘joy’ who ‘hasn’t worked out just how big she is’. At nearly 16.2 hands, at only two, Abbey continued “Annie thinks she is the size of her shetland brother [Dylan], which always makes being around her comical!”
Unfortunately, Annie was another of her mother’s horses who didn’t have the best start in life. Being left in a field, Annie was eventually rescued where she was cared for up and put up for foster.
“My mum stumbled upon Annie’s advertisement to be fostered and she couldn’t believe her eyes, she was Millie’s doppelganger! Three black socks, one white and a beautiful diamond on her chestnut forehead, just like Millies.”
Naturally, the mare quickly adopted the nickname, Auphon Annie. Annie, unfortunately, suffers from sarcoids so the care she needs to receive is ongoing. “My Mum has been using a topical cream (blood root ointment) religiously with great success! Getting the cream on her is another story, but worth the horsing around! Annie is my mum’s shadow, it’s as if she knows she will get everything she needs for the rest of her life and she is completely in awe of my mum because of that.”
If you, or someone you know, has a story that you would like us to publish to feature in our readers write in category, please get in touch either via our Facebook page or email: contact@everythinghorseuk.co.uk
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.