When Ulyssa was lastly confiscated by legislation enforcement in March 2023 after years of dwelling in less-than-ideal circumstances, her future appeared unsure. The 13-year-old pinto mare had been dwelling alone, supposed as a pony for her proprietor’s grandchildren. Animal Management had a historical past of issues in regards to the pony’s welfare over 5 years, and when her situation declined, a vet examined her and located she had a physique situation rating of two out of 9 on the Henneke Horse Physique Situation Scoring System (relying on breed a 4 or a 5 is a perfect rating), which means she was considerably malnourished.
After she was seized, she was despatched to Days Finish Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR) in Woodbine, Maryland. Along with her solely medical challenge being her weight, Ulyssa shortly thrived underneath DEFHR’s skilled care and blossomed right into a vibrant, partaking, and personable pony.
In the summertime of 2023, Ulyssa joined DEFHR’s coaching program underneath the watchful eye of coach Leigha Schrader.
“She had little or no to no expertise underneath saddle, so I restarted her from the bottom up, starting with groundwork,” stated Schrader. “I beloved working with Ulyssa and nicknamed her ‘Rocket Pony.’ She was eager and at all times down for adventures and studying new abilities. She was forward-thinking, and every time I begin ponies underneath saddle, I’ve children in thoughts. Security is my precedence, and I at all times need to give ponies a stable basis to assist them succeed as protected, enjoyable mounts for youthful riders.”
Schrader set about desensitizing the 13.2hh Ulyssa to arrange her for a kid rider.
“I didn’t need her to be boring or to disregard my aids, however I needed to have the ability to act like a child within the saddle,” she defined. “If her rider’s leg slides again a bit or they turn into slightly unbalanced, I educate her the best way to react in a forgiving method. I need to make type ponies that settle for minor errors as a result of it helps set each the horse and the adopter up for fulfillment.”
The pair quickly progressed past the fundamentals, and Schrader started education Ulyssa—whom she described as “a ham with an enormous, humorous character”—over cross-rails after which over jumps.
“Ulyssa had scope and a knack for the work over fences,” continued Schrader. “I knew she would make an incredible pony jumper, eventer, or Pony Membership mount. I began taking her offsite as a lot as I may to get her used to totally different environments. From education exhibits to cross nation to path rides, I needed to arrange Ulyssa for a aggressive house and discover a junior rider or small grownup that was as daring as she was; somebody on the lookout for their subsequent journey.”
When teenage adopter Samantha Everett and her mom, Amy Everett, noticed Ulyssa’s adoption itemizing on DEFHR’s web site, they “fell in love along with her proper off the bat.” It was titled “Meet Rocket Pony!” and included an lovely video.
They realized in regards to the group from a buddy who had adopted a horse from DEFHR. Having appeared for a pony for Samantha for a while, they determined to make the five-hour journey from Chesapeake, VA, in December 2023 to see Ulyssa.
“The seek for an ideal horse was a problem as we appeared at many,” recalled Amy. “Samantha had been taking driving classes for three-and-a-half years earlier than we adopted Ulyssa. “When she rode Ulyssa, it was like they have been meant to be collectively. Her dimension, markings, and disposition have been what offered us; she was the proper pony for our household.”
Schrader added, “Samantha was a powerful rider and needed to do some little bit of all the things. I knew she would have the ability to get pleasure from rising with Ulyssa for years to come back. I’m proud to have handed the reins to Ulyssa’s 14-year-old rider in January 2024, and so they have been having a blast collectively!”
“She’s a really ahead journey and likes to do her job,” agreed Samantha. “Now we have performed all kinds of actions along with her, however her favourite factor is leaping. Path rides are additionally a part of her regular actions, and we’ve began to free-lunge her within the indoor area, which she loves.
“Ulyssa additionally loves her house and her herd, in addition to leaping, consuming, and rolling,” Samantha continued. “She has made an affect on our household along with her pleasant hugs and fist bumps along with her muzzle. We completely get pleasure from her firm and stay up for spending many extra years along with her.”
It took a very long time for the Everett household to search out the proper pony, and Amy had some recommendation for these contemplating adoption.
“Take your time, and the proper horse will come alongside,” she really useful. “Be open to totally different breeds since you would possibly suppose you understand what you need, however that one horse you didn’t suppose you needed may become ‘the one.’ DEFHR is an incredible group that basically cares about its horses. I might suggest them to anybody seeking to undertake.”
In the event you suppose you might be able to provide a house to a horse in want, go to https://defhr.org to be taught in regards to the adoption course of and browse present accessible horses.
