Horse Rhythm

🐎😀 one on his own

So… remember how we said Fizz has had plenty of time to heal physically and emotionally after her little “unauthorized adventure” (aka being stolen)? Yeah… she’s doing GREAT. Maybe a little too great. 😂

Came out today and found Miss Fizz standing half inside the big hay feeder like it was a luxury suite she personally booked. No clue how she got in there, but she was absolutely not interested in getting herself out. Zero survival instincts, 100% commitment to the snack bar.

We tried encouraging her. We tried reasoning with her. We tried the whole “you got yourself in there, you can get yourself out” speech… she blinked at us and kept eating.

So naturally, we had to unscrew wooden planks like we were breaking someone out of jail—except the prisoner was very comfortable and mildly annoyed we were interrupting her buffet. 🙃

Good news: Fizz is safe, healthy, and clearly thriving again… just maybe not making the best life choices yet.

Moral of the story: healing journey = complete. Ready for training = yes! 💁‍♀️🐴

Do you got your own wild, funny, or “what just happened?!” horse moment? 🐴😂
Please share it with us in the comments—and if you’ve got photo evidence, we DEFINITELY need to see it! 📸

Newborn foals arrive wearing what horse lovers affectionately call “fairy fingers” or “golden slippers.” Scientifically, these soft, rubbery coverings are known as the eponychium. They encase the foal’s tiny hooves before birth, giving each foot a cushioned, almost whimsical appearance.

These slippers play a crucial role. In the womb, they protect the mare’s uterus from sharp kicks, and during birth, they prevent the foal’s hooves from scratching or injuring the birth canal. Without them, both mare and foal would face significant danger.

Once the foal is born, the eponychium quickly begins to dry and peel away. Within a few hours—and often after only a handful of wobbly steps—the soft coverings wear off, revealing the firm hooves beneath. The process is painless and entirely natural, a built-in adaptation for a safe beginning to life.

AMAZING horsemanship from the 2025 Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Challenge Champion, Annie Chance! #LongLiveCowgirls

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They bred him to run. Trained him to win. Then tossed him aside when his feet gave out and the weight fell off. He was a stallion when we found him in November of 2024—emaciated, crippled, starving. Tagged for slaughter like he had no story left to tell. WE SAW OTHERWISE. Showman is a registered American Quarter Horse. He’s racing bred, likely used in a breeding program until his body couldn’t keep up. By the time he landed in the pipeline, he was barely hanging on. His angles were a mess, his spirit dulled, but underneath the damage, he was a force. We didn’t rush him. We did the work. The real true rescue, rehab, heart all in, work. We corrected his feet. Gelded him. Gave him time to gain weight and rebuild strength. Only then did we start him under saddle again. Racehorses are trained differently. They’re taught to go, to chase, to win. They’re not taught to stop when asked, or to ride quietly in public settings. That’s what we’re teaching him now—how to listen, how to trust, how to be someone’s partner. Today, eight months later, he’s thriving. He is sound, talented, respectful, and willing. He could go in any direction—barrels, English, trail, play days. He has the foundation and the heart. He just needs the right person to take him the rest of the way. For us Showman is part of our ASIAB family. This is about finishing what someone else abandoned. It’s about giving Showman the ending he was never going to get on his own. Thank you for being such a huge part of Showman’s story ❤️ For adoption inquiries: [email protected]

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The Blue Dragonfly Foundation What we do: Inspire autistic and differently abled young people to develop their skills and passions, to thrive and achieve, ensuring that they lead productive and fulfilled lives within their communities.

Feeling Grateful and Inspired
Yesterday’s Great Horse Therapy Event filled my heart with joy. I’m deeply honored to be part of this journey – guiding our patient horses as they connect with these incredible young men.
A warm welcome to Kristopher and Terrell, who joined us for the first time and showed such courage and openness. And a special mention to Ollie – also on the spectrum – whose calm confidence and experience with horses is a beautiful example of how empowering this work can be. It’s heartwarming to see how his presence encourages and supports the newcomers.
Witnessing the emotions on the faces of the parents – the pride, the tears of joy – reminded me why this work is so meaningful. Our horses, gentle and intuitive as ever, continue to be the quiet bridge between trust and growth.
Thank you to Caroline, Jenn, Steve, Juliette, Kim, the amazing team at The Blue Dragonfly Foundation, and everyone at Antigua Equestrian Center for making these moments possible.
I’m filled with gratitude and look forward to the next session with this brave and beautiful group.
With love,
Sabine

Yesterday's Great Horse Therapy Event was a resounding success! We welcomed two new participants, Kristopher and Terrell and both were absolute superstars! We now have a wonderful group of 8 young people. Parents cried tears of joy as they watched their sons bravely try something new. 😁Here are Kristoper, Terrell and Ollie. If you are an autistic young adult or the parent guardian of someone with autism and you would like to join our therapy group, please do get in touch with Caroline on ⁨(268) 770-4145⁩Our next Great Horse Therapy event is Saturday June 12, 2025 and we are holding sessions every second Saturday of each month going forward from 10.30am-12.30pm.Enormous thanks to Jenn, Steve and wonderful Sabine at Antigua Equestrian Center, our amazing volunteers Juliette Graveleau and Kim Van-Hest and all our super volunteers at The Blue Dragonfly Store. We couldn't have done it without you!!Video: Ollie part two.