Bay filly (Cheval Canadien?) born at Blue Star Equiculture, July 3, 2010
SPONSOR GRACIE
Gracie's mother, Hope, was rescued from the January 22, 2010 auction at Camelot Auction in New Jersey. At the time, Hope, known as Hip #174, was believed to be an unhandled 18-month old Percheron filly. It turned out that Hope was an almost three-year-old filly, most likely a Cheval Canadien or a Morgan/draft cross - and she was pregnant.
We had no idea when Hope was due - the vet estimated June - and her body showed signs of imminent foaling for a couple of weeks it seemed like! Finally, on the morning of July 3, when the morning feed time arrived, we were greeted by TWO horses in the New Jersey paddock. Gracie's birth was uneventful and she was strong and healthy. Tom Too and Cupcake immediately took notice of the newcomer through the fence.
Sarah Hull, Hope's adoptive owner,held a naming contest, which resulted in Gracie being named "Blue Star's Amazing Grace" - or Gracie Blue.
Hope, despite her youth, proved to be an excellent mother, and raised Gracie well. Gracie also played and frolicked with the goats, Bullet and
Blaze, as she grew bigger everyday. Together, Hope and Gracie enjoyed getting scratched by visitors, and Gracie tagged along with her mom, as Hope herself, being young and untrained, began her basic training. As the months passed, Sarah began to realize that she would not be able to afford two horses (she had only expected one horse, anyway!), and she also wanted Hope to live closer to her home. She made the decision to give Gracie to Blue Star Equiculture to raise and train. So, when Gracie was four months old, with the vet's blessing, Hope was moved to her new home and Gracie was weaned under the close supervision of her trainer, Sally.
Gracie has been introduced to the herd, which she LOVES. She has many playmates, especially Cupcake, Peggy, Gambler and Pinto, and Tom Too is her protector and mentor. Peggy takes her job as big sister very seriously too! She is well accepted by everyone, and the herd looks out for her. Gracie is halter-broke and knows how to pick up her feet, and she is learning many other basic skills to become a model equine citizen. Sally is hoping to train Gracie to drive when she gets old enough.
SPONSOR GRACIE