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All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights   Previous PostNext Post the adventures of starship chewy The Adventures Of Starship Chewy By: Alexis Arbaugh May 10, 2024 Success Stories Tags:Mounted Shooting, Parades, Playdays, Remember Me Rescue, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Trail Ashley Kruse was browsing through Remember Me Rescue’s Facebook page when she happened upon Starship Chewy’s listing. Intrigued, she made an appointment with the organization to meet him. Ashley traveled to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization located in Burleson, Texas, eager to meet this promising horse. Starship Chewy, a 2015 gelding, had a racing career that spanned six years, during which he competed 45 times across California, New Mexico, and Arizona, earning a total of $45,882. His racing days behind him, Chewy was ready for a new chapter. During her first ride on Chewy at the ranch, Ashley quickly fell in love with his stoic personality. “There was a banner that was waving in the breeze, Chewy did not seem bothered by it and even allowed me to walk him up to it while I was mounted,” Ashley shared. Chewy’s calm and alert demeanor impressed her. An incident in the barn further cemented her admiration for him. As Ashley was unsaddling Chewy, a goat in a nearby stall jumped up on the gate, causing a loud ruckus. Chewy simply flinched, turned his head to look, and calmly realized it was not a threat. Ashley knew then that Chewy’s composed mind made him the perfect trail horse. “Chewy is doing amazing now,” Ashley reported. She has taken him to various events and exposed him to numerous new experiences. Together, they have attended a horsemanship clinic, participated in playday events, and carried flags in local parades. On their camping trips, Chewy has encountered wagons, cannons, gunshots, being high-lined overnight, flags, and many other noises, all of which he handled without issue. Even on trail rides next to busy highways, Chewy remains unfazed by the noise and commotion. Ashley believes Chewy deserves a “slow life” after his competitive racing career. She has no desire to compete with him, preferring to enjoy a relaxed and “chill” life together. “Chewy has an incredible spirit and mind,” Ashley wrote. “He has surpassed my expectations with so many things I have thrown at him.” On Sunday mornings, when the weather is nice, Ashley, Chewy, and his “brother” Rocket, another gelding, go to the Lone Star Cowboy Church of Limestone County to greet churchgoers at the gate before service. This has become a cherished routine for them. Ashley hopes to try mounted shooting with Chewy one day, but her primary goal is to ensure he remains happy, healthy, and enjoys a peaceful life filled with new adventures. “He is the perfect boy,” Ashley concluded, expressing her gratitude for having Chewy in her life and her plans to keep him as part of her family forever. Share This Article   Do you have a success story that you would like to share? Submit your experience with an accredited organization here: Success Story Submission

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Previous Post smoking romance and his girls Smoking Romance and His Girls By: Alexis Arbaugh May 10, 2024 Success Stories Tags:english, Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds, hunter, hunter jumper, Huntseat, Success story, Thoroughbred Aftercare, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance In the spring of 2021, Charlotte Qualley and her mother Betsey attended the Iowa State Fair. At the fair, they noticed Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds (HART), a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization. They conversed with the HART representatives about horses that were available for adoption, and discussed which horse would be the most suitable match for the mother-daughter duo. They were primarily focused on a horse for Charlotte, but were interested in a horse they both could ride. Part of the criteria for a horse was one that could grow and develop alongside Charlotte. A horse that wasn’t too young or green” and that would help Charlotte become a better rider. Smoking Romance was a nine-year-old bay gelding who had raced 41 times during his five years on the racetrack. They wanted a horse who had the potential to adapt and learn new things, and Smoking Romance seemed to be a great candidate for that position. After Betsey and Charlotte’s second time visiting Smoking Romance they knew he was the one for them. They realized that he was willing to try anything that was asked of him and was a fast learner – perfect for Charlotte. “He just needed to build some trust in someone,” wrote Betsey. At this point, S’more, as Charlotte and Betsey call him, had been with them for over two years and is thriving. “He’s had a lot of growth,” Betsey wrote, “he’s picked up everything that he learns and has built a trust with both of us, particularly Charlotte, who is his only rider”. Charlotte and Betsey paid close attention to S’more and discovered what makes him happy. For example, he prefers front shoes only and benefits from regular chiropractic adjustments. S’more’s ground manners have improved significantly since they adopted him, as he now pays more attention to and trusts his rider. They worked extensively on trailer loading, focusing especially on straight-load trailers. When Betsey and Charlotte adopted him, he would only load onto a slant-style trailer, but now he loads onto both with ease. S’more had been treated for ulcers with Betsey and Charlotte, and they work to ensure that his diet keeps him happy and healthy. “We feel like we’ve gotten him to a pretty good place,” wrote Betsey. They learned that he would rather be out with his herd than cooped up in a stall. “We’re always working on finding the best fits for him, whether it’s saddle fit, bridle, food, or any other care,” Betsey explained. Betsey and Charlotte’s future plans include getting S’more comfortable with loading and unloading from the trailer so that they can take him on adventurous trail rides. Another goal is to teach him more cues for riding and eventually compete in a fun horse show. Share This Article Do you have a success story that you would like to share? Submit your experience with an accredited organization here: Success Story Submission