BY MAGGIE BEAMGUARD
Insider Editor
The Seven Lakes Equestrian Center has welcomed two new “employees” to the stables. Hattie and Angel are the newest members of the herd.
Hattie will pick up the reins from the recently retired Casper. Casper retired at the age of 14 to the home of a local family last August after suffering blindness from uveitis, a degenerative disease common to his breed.
Angel will step into the horseshoes of the equestrian center’s beloved Baloo, who died last Oct. 13.
“He was an immensely gentle soul,” according to a Facebook message. “Under saddle he liked to go-go-go, he always wanted affection and he loved his peppermints. He was with us in Seven Lakes for three wonderful years and he has now been laid to rest in our pasture.”
The new horses are already making their own mark. Hattie is an eight-year-old Medicine Hat Paint, on lease from a local owner. She brings a good bit of training to her new gig and has already made a friend. “She has fallen in love with our Halflinger, Dixie, as her new best friend,” said Fravel.
At nearly twice Hattie’s age, Angel, 14, brings a calm demeanor. The equestrian center purchased the Percheron/Standardbred cross through a buyer. Hattie previously lived with an Amish family. “She is a draft-cross, so she will be able to carry larger riders than our other horses can manage.”
According to Fravel, both horses will be used for supervised rides of all sorts, in the ring, in the pasture, and on the trail.
Another horse, Charlie, has also retired at the age of 22. He began showing minor neurological problems.
“We tested for the things we could treat,” said Stable Manager Crystal Fravel. “And when those were not the cause, we decided the best plan was to find someplace he can live out his retirement.”
The equestrian center is currently seeking a good home for him to live out his golden years.
The Equestrian Center currently has 11 horses in its employ and runs a lesson program from September through May, including beginning rider lessons, trail rides and pony rides. Summer camps are offered each year.
The ridership is primarily composed of residents of Seven Lakes North and South who have free use of the stables. Guests of residents can use the facilities for a fee if there is space available.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
