Song

Foaled April 10, 1987
Bay Welara (Welsh Pony/Arab) Pony Mare

Sweet Spunky Song (left) , August 2010 
 
 
Little Song in December 2009. Pic taken by DeeAnn Bradley.  Song is a Welara – which is apparently a cross between Arabian and Welsh Pony. She is very small – but I have not had a stick on her yet to determine her size. She’s in good condition.
 
Her former owners, the Wilbys, who renamed her “Tess”, wrote:
 
“She is a Welara pony (Welsh/Arabian breed with papers). As Tess got into better shape through her training, her right front leg began to give her a slight problem. She doesn’t appear to be in any pain, though she has a very slight limp at trot and canter. She has not been seen by a vet but has been observed by our trainer and examined by our farrier and they have seen nothing to indicate a problem. My trainer thinks it may be due to an old injury that didn’t heal properly. She is 23 years old and is in good health, except for that slight right leg hitch.”
 
The Wilbys gave me no particulars on the abuse they alleged that she suffered – but she is very friendly, not at all shy, quick to learn a routine and happy to have her fly mask on every day. She does have issues with the farrier, as we found recently, but Juan Mercado, my farrier, was gentle and was able to begin the process of bringing her hoofs into better angles. She had too much heel, so her hooves had a “break” in the proper line with her pastern. She may go a little better once we get that completed. We will pick away at it every few weeks, rather than cause a big change every 8 weeks. And she runs everywhere, so will be wearing her feet well.
 
Song was immediately adopted by Star, and they are best buds. They come back to their stalls at night together, and stand within a horse length of each other all day long.  They are often in the company of Swing’s Lew and Chacha.
 
Only 2 months and 10 days after leaving her here, the Wilby’s are not longer willing to live up to their promise to partially sponsor Song. It turns out their daughter is furious that I call Song by her proper, papered name.  My feeling was that Song has been “Song” for 22 of her 23 years. She responds to her name positively.  But the Wilbys feel that since I won’t call her “Tess” that neither I nor Song deserve that they should live up to their promises. They even took back the one $60 donation they’d made!
 
It’s a common story – something similar happened with Falcon’s ex owner – and many owners have simply disappeared without a word. I try to not let it deter me – after all, The Golden Carrot is a resource for horses – a safe haven for horses who have done their best, and in many cases, were simply not appreciated. I took Song because it was clear to me that Song needed me, not because the Wilbys needed me to.  I know how it feels to be unwanted and unneeded.  Can you help me help Song?
 

While free, Song can seem a little excitable. But put her on a lead line or, as you can see, ride her, and she becomes a little workhorse with a steady business like manner.  This thrilled me, as there are times I’d like to put a little kid on a horse that isn’t 17hands! A sweet little mare indeed.
 
UPDATE 12/2010   Since the passing of Swing’s Lew in July, and other re-arrangements of stalls, I have moved Song to our SouthStream line of stalls, next to Princess Picadilly.  The idea was to give poor Pic a lady friend instead of all obstreperous geldings!  And, in the back of my mind considering Pic’s advanced age, hopefully provide Pepe with another lady to guard and care for in the event of Pic’s passing.  Well, the girls don’t have much use for each other – not fighting, just not real friendly, but that may be due to health and injury issues Pic has been dealing with.  And it turns out Pepe and Song get along very well.  At first, she spent a lot of time calling to the main herd and Star, who ignored her. She ran back and forth a lot, and Pepe followed her around.  It’s been about 6 weeks now, and it seems she’s totally adjusted and become quite attached to Pepe, and he to her.  (He still cares for Pic too).  I’ll get pics of this up soon!
 
Song is now partly sponsored! Thank you Irene Jensen for helping this little mare!
Please contact Casey if you would be interested in helping Jill and TGC to meet Song's needs, or to sponsor any of the un-sponsored horses at The Golden Carrot.