On Easter Sunday in 2005, a used up race horse was taken off a trailer at her new home at
Buck N Horse Hollow in Carlisle, PA. Did she know that many of the horses that go on that trailer end
up at slaughter? Did she know that her racing days were over and that long lazy days in the pasture
were ahead of her? Sally was scared and unsure of her new accommodations.
Then a month later, she was shipped again to another scary place where she was bred to Pennsylvania's
Leading Race Sire, Lite the Fuse. I brought her back home to Buck N Horse Hollow on June 2 and that is
where the story begins.
While Sally was at the breeder's farm she scratched her left rear leg. The scratch did not seem to
warrant all the swelling and soreness so the vet was called. Sally had a condition known as cellulitis,
which means the slightest little scratch would turn into a huge painful infection. Cold water hosing,
antibiotics and hand walking were the treatments recommended by our vet. Sally gradually settled in
and really seemed to appreciate me and my efforts.
By the time the foal was born in April 2006, Sally and I had been through numerous flare ups of the
cellulitis each a little worse than the one before. Sally foaled on her due date in the middle of the day.
I was there to help her and again she seemed to appreciate my efforts. From those first few moments
of Fancy's life, I knew I had something really special. It was like love at first sight, I was so attached,
and I can't even explain it. Most of the mares that I have seen foal become a little protective and pretty
much want to take care of things on their own. Sally totally trusted me and anything I wanted to do with
Fancy. Fancy thought that she had 2 Moms. Sally lost her battle with the cellulitis shortly after Fancy
was weaned. I will always be grateful to Sally for instructing Fancy to trust me.
Fancy never went to the race track. I started her under saddle myself as a 3 year old and as a 4 year
old she started her dressage show career by winning 1st place in her first test.
The time that I spent with Sally doctoring her infected leg provided the opportunity for a bond not only
with Sally but with Fancy as well. Sometimes something bad has to happen so that something good
can happen.
