A Gift Horse Named GEORGE
Horse and Rider|Winter 2020
When April Freeland found herself horseless, she learned the importance of never looking a gift horse in the mouth when a horse named George came into her life.
NICHOLE CHIRICO
A Gift Horse Named GEORGE

April Freeland’s show career was just beginning, but before she could get a true taste for competition it quickly came to an end. As she was going into the show pen at her second horse show, she felt something was off with her horse Gota Rolex On Mpulse and decided a visit from the vet would be necessary to see what was going on. The vet check went from bad to worse when it was decided they would need to do an MRI on “Benji.” That was when April was delivered the bad news and found out that her horse had the navicular disease and would probably never make it back to the show pen again, leaving April without any idea how she would ever get to own or show another horse.

Fate Happens

When April first heard the news of Benji, her heart sank. Her family’s budget was tight and being able to go out and buy another horse was out of the picture. She thought for sure that her only shot at the show pen had come and gone before she could even have a chance to truly know what it was like to compete.

“After I had been told I would never be able to ride him again I was devastated,” April said. “We had just bought Benji and that was such a stretch for us to even get him. I knew I couldn’t just turn around and say it’s OK, I’ll find something else to show. I really thought this was the end of my story.”

But her trainer, Wes Wetherell, had a different plan. The day after finding out the bad news, a horse Wes had trained for a short amount of time as a 3-year-old unexpectedly showed up at his barn. The owner had his papers in her hand and asked if Wes would be able to take him as she could no longer care for him.

As the horse backed out of the trailer, he was hairy, out of shape, gangly, and had a huge head, but for some reason, Wes knew he had to take this horse in.

This story is from the Winter 2020 edition of Horse and Rider.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Winter 2020 edition of Horse and Rider.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HORSE AND RIDERView All
A Horseback High
Horse and Rider

A Horseback High

Riding vacations can be found around the world, and here are five bucket list rides in the United States

time-read
7 mins  |
Summer 2023
JOIN THE CLUB!
Horse and Rider

JOIN THE CLUB!

Riding clubs of all forms can be found across the country. What should you look for when choosing—or starting—a club of your own? We asked three club leaders to share their insights

time-read
6 mins  |
Summer 2023
Help Is (Sometimes) Only a Phone Call Away!
Horse and Rider

Help Is (Sometimes) Only a Phone Call Away!

Do you depend on over-the-phone advice from your veterinarian? Here's what you need to know about telehealth to help you understand what you can, and can't, expect

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2023
REPLACING FEAR WITH CURIOSITY
Horse and Rider

REPLACING FEAR WITH CURIOSITY

Horses have both flight and investigative behaviors but not at the same time. Learn how to help your horse switch to curiosity when his flight instincts kick in, and how to put the brakes on when he's already gone

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2023
Ranch Riding Mares
Horse and Rider

Ranch Riding Mares

Evaluate and place these performance mares. Then see how your choices compare to our expert judge's.

time-read
3 mins  |
Summer 2023
An Empty Stall
Horse and Rider

An Empty Stall

The loss of a horse leads to a new landscape of managing emotions and moving forward

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2023
Strengthen Your Mental Game
Horse and Rider

Strengthen Your Mental Game

Prepare your mind for peak performances with your horse by implementing these tips from reining trainer Shane Brown

time-read
4 mins  |
Summer 2023
Burning Off the Fresh
Horse and Rider

Burning Off the Fresh

Whether your horse has gone unridden due to a health problem, the weather, or your schedule, a thoughtful process can keep everyone safe during his return to work

time-read
4 mins  |
Summer 2023
Return to Exercise Slowly
Horse and Rider

Return to Exercise Slowly

If you’ve been turned out to pasture for a while, as the result of injury or just a busy life, return to exercise in a safe and steady way

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2023
Ground Tying for Ranch Trail
Horse and Rider

Ground Tying for Ranch Trail

There are many reasons to teach your horse how to safely ground tie

time-read
3 mins  |
Summer 2023