Jingle Belle
In November of 2017, and quite frankly, on a bit of a lark and after a glass of wine, I pulled a sick, little Haflinger mare out of a kill pen at a New Jersey auction. I sipped my wine and watched a tiny video of her running through the auction and for some unknown reason thought to myself, “This is the one. That’s *my* horse.”
I contacted the local rescue that was streaming the auction and $850 later, she was mine. Well, almost. It ended up that my new golden pony was sick. Really sick. Strangles (*gasp*). That word alone has many horse folks heading for the hills. So, off she went for 30 days of quarantine, which would mean she would be home close to Christmas. Oh! A Christmas pony!! I immediately named her Jingle Belle.
Thirty days at the quarantine facility quickly turned into six months of meds, vet visits, and isolation. I started to pace. Wondering if I’d made a huge mistake. Then, one April morning, the quarantine facility, which also happened to be run by the rescue that pulled my sweet Jingle, called to say that she was ready to come home.
Fast forward a few weeks and I found that Jingle did not care one iota for being under tack. She was unruly, pigheaded, and really, REALLY strong (visualize a giant, blonde butt thundering across the countryside, lead rope trailing in the wind).
I know when I’m in over my head. I made a few phone calls and signed Jingle up for finishing school where she’d learn some proper etiquette! (*Big shout out to the best, most patient, kindest trainer in the world: Karen Monks-Reilly).
It’s been three years now, and I can honestly say that Jingle is my heart horse. She is smart, athletic, and careful with her middle-aged (sometimes timid) rider. We have competed in dressage, joined obstacle course playdates, and even jumped small courses. She is the reason I have fallen in love with the Haflinger breed. She’s so expressive, inquisitive, and absolutely loves being with people.
She is a gift, and I am one lucky lady to have her in my life.
