Happy Birthday Ace

I just realized today is Ace’s birthday. He would have been 28 years old. Happy Birthday buddy.

Normally I try to post some information about one of the rescued horses at Borderlands. I wouldn’t really consider Ace a rescue. He was my long term riding horse for about ten years. He came to me when he was 16. But I can sort of consider him a rescue. When dad bought him, we received his registration papers, which were his original foal papers. No one had bothered to register him under their name. They did have the courtesy to at least write their names down on his papers so I could track his owner history. Poor ol’ guy had about a half dozen owners in the 16 years before he came to me. I didn't know much about his past but he was used hard.

I’d wanted to register Ace but there were problems with trying to register him since no one kept his papers up. I bought Ace from dad for $1.00 thinking I could get him registered in my name. But like everyone else, I got lazy and never did. Too much paperwork.

When the guy dropped Ace off, he had another horse with him that I was more interested in. Ace was just a plain sorrel and the horse I was interested in was a paint. But the paint was already spoken for. Ace really was a better match for me anyway.

The first ride out as his long time rider, I went out with Dad riding Dictator and Ila French (a long time family friend) riding Galaram. A storm started to brew while we were out and the horses started to get a little flighty. Ace took off with me up the hill. We were riding in an alfalfa field and I had no clue where the gopher holes were. Mom thought I let Ace loose to see him run. Nope. I was just along for the ride. Needless to say, the first year of riding Ace we only walked and trotted.

On a side note, right after we bought Ace, Ila offered Galaram. Oh what I would have given to have Galaram. Ila’s daughter (who graduated a year before me in high school) used to ride and show him. I would have given anything to ride a well trained horse. But Ace taught me so much more. A second side note, the little English saddle that I’m riding, used to belong to Ila’s daughter who used to ride Galaram. Small world huh?

Ace and I went on many trail rides, always at a trot. At home we would ride for short periods of time. The horses figured it out pretty quick. The faster they walked, the sooner they would get home. That worked fine except when we went on trail rides. Then Ace and I would trot the ENTIRE trail ride. Sounds like fun for a little while but four hours of trotting gets old, even when you’re young.

Ace finally slowed to a steady walk when he turned 22. I semi retired him when he was 23 years old. I permanently retired him at 24. I typically retire them at 25 but Ace started having serious eye problems and I didn’t want to risk causing any problems. So I put him out to pasture with Dictator. He didn’t seem to mind one bit. He had four years of retirement to enjoy.

It’s so hard to watch them grow old. But I’m glad I had the opportunity to be a part of his life. We were together for 12 years. I miss him so much. But it is worth the heartache. I was able to give him full care and when the time came, a dignified death. I believe each horse should know that they are loved and cared for until their last breath. I aim to make sure all of the Borderland horses know they are loved and respected.

On that note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ace. You are greatly missed.