It was suggested that we show off some of the horses that we have for lease at Sierra Ranch, LLC. We begin this with probably one of the horses we know the least about.
To say we have soft hearts for OTTB (Off the Track Thoroughbreds) is kind of an understatement. 🙂 We love what these guys do for their owners and are saddened with the way they are treated after the track.
Imagintor (AKA New Horse or New) filled that bill to the max. One of our friends found him at her barn. The owner wanted a walking horse and when she went to pick up the walking horse the owner “threw in Charlie” with her other horse. Needless to say, she was much more wanting the walking horse and paid no attention to “Charlie.” Our friend knew we loved and worked well with OTTB’s and brought him to live with us in July 2009.
Since we had had a bad experience ( I can show the never healing scar) with a horse named “Charlie” we decided to name him “New Horse” until we could figure out his name. This was during the time that we were starting the other business that now pays for the horses. There just never seemed to be the time actually to try hard to find out who this guy was.
New taught several people how to ride. Attended several trail rides and did wonderfully. Even rode in part of an endurance ride with no problems. Finally, we got things somewhat under control and spent the day Saturday before Easter researching who this wonderful horse was. Now understand trying to ID a 20-year-old horses tattoo is not fun and New was so not excited about making this an easy process. 🙂 After a bit of trail riding tranquilizer and a black light we took a picture of the tattoo and tried to enhance it enough to figure it out.
After doing several general searches using some of the numbers and his coloring. Then focusing on the numbers we knew. And then eliminating the mares. (LOL!) We came up with a possible name. Imaginator. And we ordered the winning pictures of his maiden race.
Now am I going to say New is a perfect match for this horse? Maybe not. But he is a winner with several wins and loads of races under his belt, and New surely acts like all the winners we have in the pasture. And what a really cool name: Imaginator. So much better than being called New Horse. LOL!
UPDATE: May 12, 2016. New probably was never Imaginator, but he was an amazing horse. We laid New to rest on May 12, 2016. He was a wonderful lesson horse. Amazing trail horse. And lived his life with us to the fullest. We will never know exactly how old he was. He will be missed every day by those that loved him most. See you on the other side New. Enjoy the green pastures.
Come ride a Champion at Sierra Ranch, LLC!
Deb Stowers Sierra Ranch, LLC 918-607-6094