March/April 2024 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN March/April 2024 Page 67 For the coming spring Janine hopes to try the beginning jumper divisions. After finding Murphy, Janine’s eyes have been opened to other possibilities. She recently purchased a young thoroughbred mare at auction whose only problem was an abscess in her sinus cavity. She hopes this horse may take over for Murphy when it is time for him to retire. In Murphy’s success story there are poignant moments. “What’s sad for me was when he first came here he knew how to beg for treats. That broke my heart. At one time this horse was so spoiled, he was treat- ed well and loved and yet he turned into what we found him as,” Janine said. “Growing up in the hunter - jumper world my trainers have always been good with keeping in touch with the horses that were sold. This just Returning to Riding, She Found the Perfect Warmblood in a Kill Pen opens your eyes. People are not aware.” Finding a good riding horse in the ranks of the rescue is not common but it does happen. Sper- anza currently has a few that are being rehabilitated before being adopted out. “It boggles my mind how well trained some of these horses are that people have just given up on. It’s just crazy,” Janine said. “I never thought you’d be able to find something that made and that high level that was going to ship to slaughter.” Janine encourages people to be open to buying horses that are in challenging situa- tions and to be careful when they sell an older horse. “I would just encourage people, whenever you sell your old or retired horse, keep tabs on it,” she said. “If you’re looking for a lesson horse, don’t be afraid to look in kill pens, some nice horses just need some meat on them.” (Continued from page 60) See page 82 for details. Not a print subscriber? Join the ongoing mailing list for just $20. FREE Classifieds for print subscribers!