{"id":17287,"date":"2018-01-21T06:46:22","date_gmt":"2018-01-21T14:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.canterusa.org\/california\/?p=17287"},"modified":"2018-01-21T06:46:22","modified_gmt":"2018-01-21T14:46:22","slug":"canter-success-story-caz-and-clue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.canterusa.org\/california\/blog\/canter-success-story-caz-and-clue\/","title":{"rendered":"CANTER Success Story: Caz and Clue"},"content":{"rendered":"

We love sharing success stories from our CANTER graduates, and this is a particularly fun one! It’s not often that two horses are adopted together, but Caz and Clue hit the jackpot. They are also wonderful examples of how even horses with limited potential for serious competitive post-racing careers can blossom into fabulous partners.<\/em><\/p>\n

Clue, JC Name Colonel Mustard, joined CANTER in December of 2014 after a long racing career. A 2007 gelding by Rock Hard Ten, Clue raced 24 times and won just over $52,000 before retiring.<\/em><\/p>\n

Cazadero, who answers primarily to “Caz”, is a 2006 gelding who raced 27 times and won just over $42,000. He joined CANTER during the summer of 2015.<\/em><\/p>\n

Both Caz and Clue were adopted by Lynn L Mullen in 2016. Huge thanks to Lynn for sharing her story with us!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lynn with Caz, the handsome chestnut, and Clue, the beautiful dark bay<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I was first exposed to horses and OTTBs at age 5 when my family moved to rural New Hampshire, next door to an extremely \u201chorsey\u201d family. The young woman next door – who is now a successful Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer! – \u00a0was competing in eventing with her two OTTBs at the time. I was quickly possessed with horse fever and grew up spending every spare minute at the barn. Though I went away to college and eventually moved urban, I always dreamed of having horses again \u201csomeday\u201d. That came to fruition in 2015 when we moved to a small horse property in the Northern California wine country! My husband, Sean, has no horse experience, but is very keen to learn and of course keeps a pocket full of treats at the ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since OTTBs were my first horsey loves, I thought they might be a good fit for my \u201cmature\u201d riding career. I decided to keep the horses for pleasure and not for serious competition, hoping to capture all of the joy but none of the stress. As someone who manages a 501(c)(3) dog rescue, rescuing is extremely important to me so it was a very natural choice that came with no deliberation! We thought we would likely adopt more than one horse, and I knew we could give great homes to horses that might be otherwise overlooked. Once I began my search I found CANTER\u2019s website and immediately began stalking the listings! <\/span><\/p>\n

Early on in the adoption process, I was talking to CANTER California volunteer Kate Miller about a few different horses that were available at the time. She mentioned Caz, who was not listed on the website, as being suited for therapy work or a home as a safe husband horse. \u00a0His racing injury meant that he would never be reliably sound, but he\u2019d proven himself in retraining to be rather special. My ears perked up immediately, as I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d be able to find an OTTB as a husband horse right away. Caz ended up being the first CANTER California horse I met, and I immediately recognized his kind eye and calm demeanor. He has been such a blessing in giving my husband confidence around horses – Sean will regularly go out and groom Caz all by himself, and Caz is always super patient and calm. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Clue showing off his good looks<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I met Clue soon after connecting with Caz, and was immediately blinded by his good looks and silly personality. He\u2019s a super social horse, and loves to entertain people and other horses. It is so fun to observe him and try to figure out his mind at work. He often behaves like a big dog – he comes when called, follows me around, lets me lead him by a hand on his cheek. Clue has been just enough of a challenge under saddle to keep me on my toes, but he\u2019s also careful and honest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our primary goal for Caz and Clue is to have positive, respectful, forgiving, happy relationships with both horses. Clue and I are focused on groundwork and flatwork, and trying to get me back into shape (this is an ongoing process!). With Caz we do mostly groundwork, though he\u2019s also teaching my husband to ride. Both horses love going out on trails to explore!<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to believe how much they\u2019ve changed over just the past year and a half. Even though they both had been let down from the track for a year or so prior to us adopting, they both got even more time off after they came home. They also got the added benefit of hilly pasture turnout and spend a lot of time playing with their Jolly Balls! It is crazy how much their bodies \u00a0have changed muscle, and how much more relaxed they are, compared to a year ago. They both are obsessed with Jolly Balls and have become local celebrities- it\u2019s happened at least a dozen times that when we meet new people in our small town, they are already familiar with the horses! Two sides of their pasture are bounded by a road, and neighbors frequently stop and watch them playing, racing each other, grazing, laying down, etc. Most people in the area have Arabs and Quarter Horses, so to see two stunning, massive, goofy Thoroughbreds is a novelty!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Most people in the area have Arabs and Quarter Horses, so to see two stunning Thoroughbreds is a novelty!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For others considering an OTTB, I definitely recommend working with a reputable rescue organization to adopt! There are several out there, representing most geographic locations. Speaking from our experience with CANTER California, its volunteers go above and beyond to make a great pairing with each horse and adopter. While it\u2019s true there are thousands of horses for sale directly at the track who are also deserving of homes, I think it\u2019s so helpful to have information on each horse\u2019s personality, re-training, career potential, food regimen, likes\/dislikes, etc. It is incredible that CANTER California commits to their horses for life, which is a wonderful safety net – hopefully never to be used. Beyond that, be prepared to laugh, and have plenty (I mean PLENTY) of treats!<\/span><\/p>\n

Have a CANTER success story of your own? Email canterca@canterusa.org!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We love sharing success stories from our CANTER graduates, and this is a particularly fun one! It’s not often that two horses are adopted together, but Caz and Clue hit<\/p>\n

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