Another horse lover

[Angie]

I've kept horses all my life, I have NEVER sold a horse, when they come to me they come for life. About 10 years ago I became involved with a club that rehomed exracers. Cello came into my life about 10 years ago as a 4 year old. He had run 5 races, best placed 3rd. We believe his trainers had tried him over the flights which resulted in a terrible injury. Cello fractured his neck. In the first phot I had had Cello for about 6 weeks and had taken this pic to show my mum how much he'd come on!!!! He could not raise his head any higher than it is in the pic, his back legs were splayed so as he could keep his balance, he was still terribly thin and covered in sores. In a moment of madness I saw his potential, fell in love with him and he was mine.


Two years later he was a happy, healthy, beautiful boy with a temperament second to none.

After a good summer and not much work he became a little portly!

4 years after I first bought Cello I entered him at Derby County Show, my friend Sarah is in the saddle. We came 3rd out of a huge class and was one place off qualifying for Hickstead!


If you compare the first and last pic I think ayone would be forgiven for thinking it's a different horse. I am so very very proud of him (and of Sarah for having the bravery to go into the competition ring).

[Caryll]

OMG! What a change! I love horses, they're my second favourite animal (no prizes for guessing what is first!)

What a magnificent job you've done on him, he looks absolutely beautiful & congrats on your placing!

[Angie]

Originally Posted by Caryll

OMG! What a change! I love horses, they're my second favourite animal (no prizes for guessing what is first!)

What a magnificent job you've done on him, he looks absolutely beautiful & congrats on your placing!

Thank you, it was a long and often frustrating road, but patience is certainly a virtue and paid off in the end. There were doubts from others whether I could ever get him fit and if I did would the laid back, quiet boy turn into a flighty, highly-strung nightmare. His personality never changed, he is sooo laid back he is almost horizontal! He is a pure gentleman through and through.
However, a couple of years ago the club I was involved with were invited to Pontefract Racecourse on race day to parade the horses and show the public that racehorses could be rehabilitated and do well in other spheres. After the parade ring we went down onto the course infront of the grandstand where we were to perform a drill ride to Thin Lizzy's The Boys Are Back In Town. 14 horses were taking part and we'd practised the choreography for weeks, Cello had been the star performer during rehearsals. On the day my gentle, quiet boy turned into a monster! Although it had been 6 years since he had been near a track he knew exactly where he was and the adrenalin certainly set in. The drill ride went ahead whilst Cello did a Michael Jackson Moonwalk right out of the side door
This pic shows Cello 'warming up' on the walk down to the start

[Mazz]

Just........ beautiful.
Well done you for homing for life.
Mazz

[Corasmum]

That is fantastic. He is a lovely looking horse. My sister has an ex racer, he has the slowest walk ever, until you take him to hunter trials, he's 18yrs old and still going strong :-)

[Eve]

aww..he is lovely. Love that u took care of him and he shines like the sun again.. well done to u both xxx

[Angie]

Originally Posted by Corasmum

That is fantastic. He is a lovely looking horse. My sister has an ex racer, he has the slowest walk ever, until you take him to hunter trials, he's 18yrs old and still going strong :-)

Cello has the walk of a seaside donkey too but very responsive. We only once tried jumping Cello but he shook like a jelly, obviously traumatised from his fall over the flights, so that was it, we've never tried him again. The most we've asked him to do is pop over a broken branch in the woods.

[Angie]

Originally Posted by Eve

aww..he is lovely. Love that u took care of him and he shines like the sun again.. well done to u both xxx

Thank you, what a lovely way of putting it x

[laney]

he is beautiful , well done for giving him someone to trust , he is a credit to you and the hard work u have obviously put into making him well again Lx

[chazzvetnurse27]

What a beautiful horse, I love horses, I have ridden my whole life but have never been able to afford my own, they are too my 2nd favourite animal and polar bears 3rd! I love ex racers xx