Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Margaret — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:21:06 GMT

Gorgeous picture. I wish track management would pick up on stories like yours. I think people want to connect with the horses and they don't get it.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Erin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:28:34 GMT

What a fantastic story! I love the retired tb stories!! Great job Esther!

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Lauren — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:26:34 GMT

Great story! Charming Jim is every bit as handsome as his daddy. When I looked at Silver Charm's progeny report on pedigreequery, I was shocked to see so many names. I often wonder where they all are.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Beverly K. — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:50:42 GMT

I just adopted an 11 year old Thoroughbred just off the track and I was happy to see that your horse had the same thing. He did not know how to graze. He would just walk around the paddock and look at the grass. I took him several weeks. He too is just a wonderful horse. So sweet. Loves his retirement. I wish more people would or could take an interest in the retirees.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Bellwether — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:00:57 GMT

LOOK N @ LUCKY...X TWO!!!...ty...

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

moodygirl — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:54:00 GMT

Lexington, what a great idea: racetracks featuring stories like these & contact information. Any examples of successful adoption would be uplifting & educational but think how great it would be to read about horses you saw at that track.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Lexington — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:16:29 GMT

Racetracks might want to include stories like this in their programs, along with contact information for some of the rescue organizations. More people might opt to give Thoroughbreds a new home upon retirement. This is good for all of us!

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Cris — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:43:20 GMT

There are more of these retired horses out there doing good things with their new owners than many think. My broodmare is one. This should be a regular feature. Jim's a beautiful horse and they are both lucky to have each other. Best to you both.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Jessie — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:08:21 GMT

I used to follow this guy in my Virtual Stable! So glad to hear he is enjoying his retirement and in the hands of a very loving owner!

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Fran Loszynski — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:47:17 GMT

Great pictures and a super story. A racehorse only runs for two minutes at a time in a race but they run through our hearts forever.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

moodygirl — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:12:11 GMT

This is a great story and there are lots of others out there. If you would like to hear more of them or find out about off the track TB adoption, the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is excellent. http://www.horseadoption.com/

We need more like them, financial support from the industry and individuals, and for everyone to spread the word that these are great horses for many uses. If you know anyone thinking of buying a horse, suggest an off the track TB and an adoption agency like New Vocations. The answers for what to do with off the track TBs is already here. We just need to act on it and support it.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

catsvx — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:49:06 GMT

Thank you Thank you! He looks just like his gorgeous Daddy, Charm! I hope he comes home soon! Thank you for taking such good care of his beautiful son. Long and happy life Jim!

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

sherpa — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:58:58 GMT

I've come back to read the Charming Jim & Christy story/interview at least a dozen times and enjoy reading each day's additional comments.

I think what makes this story so "special" is that almost anyone with a will could do what Christy's doing. You don't HAVE to retrain your OTTB for another discipline, you can just enjoy spaces of time to spend together; you don't HAVE to have 10 acres and a barn in the backyard, he/she can be perfectly happy boarded so long as you make that time; and you don't HAVE to make a ton of money to do it.

I also love all the practical advice Christy shared - the hoof boots, Devil's Claw, talking to exercise riders before adopting, etc.

Jim would indeed be a gorgeous show-horse and I'll bet he'd be happy doing it - for Christy. She seems to be perfectly in tune with him.

Larry Ensor - great story about Joe/JoJo, too! Thanks for the quick lesson on Foxhunt terminology as well. :-)

Linda M - please feel free to write more about your OTTB. You can see how welcome and heart-warming these stories are for all of us.

Esther, thanks again for this great interview. Hope to read a lot more of the same in your column!

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Sally Thomas — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:56:32 GMT

Great story to find today. I followed Jim's race career after purchasing his dam. It's so wonderful to hear he has a new career and lots of love. My best to you Christy and thanks BH for this article.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

GAIL SMITH — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:49:51 GMT

Christy, You are one amazing human being and how I wish there were more like you who treat and love horses with the kindess and dignity they so richly deserves.

I've never owned a horse, but I rode a few when I was a teenager and loved it. I am a born animal lover and believe horses as well as dogs, cats, birds, lambs, etc. are angels on earth.. Thank you for acquiring Charming Jim and thank you for being the sweet loving person you are. God bless you and take good care....

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Trebloc — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:45:35 GMT

Now that was a good read.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Larry Ensor — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:05:29 GMT

The following is an email we received from a person we sold a bread and butter OTTB. We ended up with Joe by default from a trainer when the owners stopped paying their bills on him. He was very "sour" when he came to us but by in large nice enough to ride. It took over a year for him to stop pinning his ears every time you walked in his stall. Not a good thing for a horse that one is trying to find a new home. Kind of turns people off, though he was never mean. He would never have been much in the show ring but he took to Fox Hunting, (no we do not kill the fox, though on the rare occasion the hounds will get a sick one). For those who do not know fox hunting terms; cubbing; is when the young hounds are introduced to their future trade and given lessons in the art of pursuit. First Flight; The hunt field, riders and horses, is generally divided into 3 divisions. First Flight is usually for the best and bravest horse and rider. It generally sorts itself out into the other divisions the last being none jumpers.

Before Joe came along the owner had hunted a TB mare until late in her 20's and was retire and died at age 32. She had the mare for something like 25 years! She told us not other horse would have her stall. Guess where Joe is....

Oh, and for those that think fox hunting is only for the rich, Jane is a public school teacher.

Hello Larry and Laura,

JoJo and I have been roading hounds this summer. Opening Day for cubbing started a few weeks ago and we have successfully shifted into that gear.

Jo and I are well suited, and are developing quite a bond. He is keen in the field, yet mannerly and quiet when we are not in chase.

We ride in first flight during the quiet, early mornings of the cubbing season. He jumps everything with enthusiasm, even if I question the size of some of the jumps. I just grab mane & let him figure it out.

JoJo has also been super at home, riding in the farmer s fields & logging roads with my dogs. He actually stops & waits for the dogs to catch up!

There has been a siting of a mountain lion nearby. But I usually ride early morning when wildlife settles down. We only have encountered coyote pups.

Thank You Both for such a great horse !

Jane

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Freetex — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:43:34 GMT

I think they are both lucky!

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

smarie — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:14:16 GMT

All horses, regardless of breed, should have a home like Charming Jim now has. Christy is the kind of owner that lets her horse tell her what he likes and what he doesn't, and she responds accordingly. This is the kind of treatment all horses deserve. When you read horror stories of the fates of some OTTB's and wonder if anybody cares, and then read this heartwarming story, it restores your faith in human beings. God bless Christy and Jim. May they ride many happy trails together. And may Christy's actions with Jim inspire others to do the same with other horses. Thank you for this story.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Bellwether4u.com — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:48:56 GMT

TREET N THE ANIMALS FAIR...BOUT TIME...

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Harlan, Buffalo, NY — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 03:37:38 GMT

great story and good questions. I had to retire Imperial Bandit by Imperial Falcon, 11-million $ yearling by NOrthern Dancer out of Ballade (half bro to Glorious Song, etc), this year at age 20. That's OK< I'm 80. Got him after 7 years racing (2 off to recover from a bow) and 14 wins, stakes placed and ran in the Queen's Plate. won a hack ch. on him when I was 74.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Sandy — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:05:00 GMT

A beautiful story and a beautiful picture! I'm so happy for both of you, and hope you have many wonderful years together.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

ExTBTrainer — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 01:12:35 GMT

Heart warming to say the least!Only true horse lovers can appreciate a talent like Christy has for "reading" a horse!A horse-whisperer for sure!

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

darlene — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:53:00 GMT

what a great story I wish all throughbreds were so lucky to have a great life after the track. I hope Silver Charm comes back home soon I am so happy three chimmeys is keeping a eye on him to make sure that he is ok But out champions belong here in the U.S.

re: Son of Silver Charm Enjoying Life After the Track

Wildhorse — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:36:20 GMT

Wow, what a handsome guy! Great story! I wish that they were all that lucky. I'd take them all home if I could. Best wishes!