[FireFly]

I read this on FaceBook the other day, posted by Cody Risdale and his wife...


"I'd like everyone to meet Wild. Wild has a pretty cool story that I feel the world could benefit from hearing today. Looking back I think our lives changed the day we picked up Wild 6 years ago.
Wild had 1 start on the racetrack, earning less than $100 dollars. But he LOVED to run! So much so that no exercise rider could control him and every exercise was a runaway, literally. And one day he decided he didn't want to be held back again and ran so hard he hurt his suspensory ligament in his left front leg. So now Wild is a 2 year old with an injury that has ended any chance at furthering his race career. And this is a horse that would NOT make someone a light riding trail horse, he would not have any part of that. He is a handful to lead around most days I couldn't imagine trying to take him on a long slow trail ride. This is where the horse whisperers are going to come at me and say he just has to go through the 'steps' and any horse can be tamed. This is where I have to laugh, they just don't get it. If someone could have conquered him(unlikely), his injured ligament would most likely not hold up to any weight on his back. Lucky for Wild he had an amazing owner who took him home and turned him out into the pasture until he could find a suitable home for him. Lucky for US, we were that home. All winter we hooked Wild to the wagon with a draft horse and everyday Wild met us at the gate and drug me to the wagon so we could be hooked up. We knew he was going to be a good one once we could convince him that we should somewhat control this runaway he wanted to be on everyday.
Wild is 9 years old now, he has been our main left leader on the 1 and 2 barrel outfit for the passed 5 years. He pushed his head into the collar and still literally drags me to the wagon at night to be hooked up. He explodes when the horn goes and tries his guts out around the track. One lap isn't enough for Wild, he'd prefer to go around again. Cody's arms may be short but they are mighty, but just watch him try and pull Wild up after the race tonight. It's not easy. I've literally been standing on the backside of the track and heard Cody yell "Ok Wild, we're done buddy, that's enough".
Wild will race tonight, off the 1 barrel, because he WANTS to and he LOVES his job. I wish everyone got to see the spark in his eye when he put the harness on him. He living his best life! A controlled runaway everytime he hits the track! Cody and I laugh all the time, whatever Wild wants, Wild gets. He wants his Soft ride boots on, now he wants them off, wants to walk beside this horse today, wants the tote of oats open for him by his stall. ����#♀️
Wild is currently napping in his stall, full of fresh shavings, clean water, all the hay he can eat and a bucket full of the best grain possible formulated just for racehorses like him. He's wearing a ceramic/magnetic blanket to make sure his muscles are fully oxygenated for tonight's race. An hour before races, we will breathe in saline through the nebulizer to help clear and open his lungs. He will stand on the Theraplate for 20 minutes, a vibrating plate to warm up his ligaments, tendons and muscles. He will strut his stuff for the track vets to show that he is sound and healthy for tonight's races. Then he will be harnessed and not so patiently wait for the nights races.
Trust me when I say this, there is absolutely no way he could get these horses to pull a wagon and run if they didn't want to. And we have had ones that didn't want to, and I have made sure I found them good homes and new careers. Which isn't easy by the way. Off the track thoroughbreds aren't many peoples 'cup of tea'.
If Wild decides he doesn't want to be a wagon horses one day, so be it. We would respect that 100%. He doesn't owe us a darn thing, he can retire in the pasture and live out his days eating grass with the broodmares.
Thank you Wild for allowing us to be 'your people'. ❤"