Well, we spent close to 8 days off the "grid" here in Connecticut following the freak October snow storm which dumped 14" of thick, heavy snow on the NW corner of CT and destroyed trees, electric lines and people's sanity! Amidst the chaos of the storm and the aftermath & cleanup....we continued on powered by LED flashlights, collections water barrels from downspouts for horse water and limited internet access from my Blackberry!
On Thursday Nov. 3rd with still no power, phone, cable or internet....we hitched up the trailer and headed to South Jersey to pickup the little Haffie pony that the rescue had fundraised for and purchased from Camelot the week before. Had a lovely visit with Monica, Frank, Kim and Rosa plus...since I was not at all in a rush to get back on the NJ Turnpike...spent some time meeting the horses of that weeks feedlot group. So many cute ponies, donkeys, paints, QH's and a slew of goats and sheep sadly destined for slaughter....my head was spinning. I knew that there was an American Saddlebred there somewhere....sported an "Amish Mullet" (no forelock to keep it out of the way of the driving harness) and then I spotted him! He was a mini -Slimikins standing in the far corner of the pen basking in the sunlight. While chatting with Monica I crinkled some peppermint wrappers in my pocket to attempt to attract the attention of one statuesque ASB and it worked :)
Initially he was a touch standoffish....he was interested in the sound of the wrappers but declined to accept a treat from me. I played disinterested for a few moments and went back to chatting with Monica....after not too long I felt someone nuzzling my back....it was the horse we now know as "Abercrombie" attempting to engage me. Monica mentioned that he hadn't shown any interest in anyone all day....and also that no one had shown interest in him despite him being there with registration papers in hand....which NEVER happens with Amish horses! I made a few calls, scratched his chin while he closed his eyes and lapped up my affection.....about 1/2hr later he was on my credit card and standing next to the Haffie in my trailer headed for the rescue.
While the Haffie was initially going to be named "Mr. T" due to his B.A. Baracus-esque mohawk...he is now named "Fitch" as he is now the partner in crime of one dashing bay Saddlebred whose papers show him as being "Abercrombie". While I never really purchased or appreciated the clothes of that retailer...I do see the novelty in the fact that it's not often you find a horse named Abercrombie who finds his way into your trailer with an as of yet un-named pony ;-) Both boys are doing well in QT and Abercrombie is proving to be quite the showboat! Fitch is very reserved and shows the fact that he has been handled roughly/potentially beaten in the past. He trembles when you approach him but once you have your hands on him and he knows you come in peace....you can do whatever you wish to him.
- Kate
