Mary’s love for horses started in childhood, where she spent her time driving and showed horses in 4-H. The idea of possessing a horse stayed with her again when she got older. As an adult, she took driving lessons during the COVID-19 Pandemie and said: “With the extra free time I thought it was the perfect time and my search started.”
Not sure where to start, Mary searched through countless sites for adopting horses, hoping to find her perfect match. During a Google search for local rescues, she discovered Communication alliance to network thoroughbred ex-Racehorses In Michigan (Canter), an organization with 13 affiliated companies in the US, three of which are accredited by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Canter specializes in rehabilitation, retraining and adoption of off-track full-bleeding.
Curious whether an off-track full blood might be a good fit, Mary stuck contact with Canter Michigan and shared her driving experience with the organization. Denise Fullhart, an owner of a Canter Michigan facility, responded and introduced MG Junior as a potential competition, and encouraged her to submit an application.
“After I had submitted and approved the app, I was able to coordinate a visit to the farm. It was a simple process and the team was very helpful,” said Mary.
Before her visit, Mary did extensive research into retraining off-the-track Thoroughbrreds (OTTBS), learn about their temperaments, needs and what to expect. She also looked in the family tree of MG Junior for fun.
“From the Jockey Club site I discovered that he was actually closely related to one of the horses I had grow up,” Mary shared.
She continued: “The OTTB that I grew up was Super Chill and such a good horse. I hoped it would be the same with Junior.”
MG Junior, a thoroughbred gelding from 2011, racing 47 times and earned more than $ 90,000 during his career.
When Mary arrived in Canter Michigan, she immediately felt a connection.
“I saw him in the field and knew that he had to be before Denise even pulled him out,” she said.
Although it was spring and junior struck heavily, he had an unmistakable presence.
“He had these long, elegant legs and a pose that only made him cold and royal,” Mary recalled. After he had cared for and lifted him, Junior stood quietly, like a gentleman. When Mary drove him, she was surprised. “I drove him through the Arena, and it was just that easy. With the research I expected a fast, crazy horse with little handling, but he was chill and just easy. It was perfect with me,” she said.
Their band was immediately. “He really reminded me of my children’s horse and I felt connected to him,” said Mary. That evening she couldn’t stop thinking of junior. “I never even looked at other horses before I chose Junior – I knew it had to be him.”
Since he brought Junior Home, Mary did not have to do much retraining.
“I mainly got him for trail riding and pleasure driving. I started slowly, worked on ground commands and lunging. He learned quickly and soon followed me free around the Arena.” Under saddle, Junior continued to make an impression on Mary. “Once I started riding on him, it didn’t take long before he understands what I asked. Now he freely drives and extracts as I ask.”
“Our personalities just fit together – we are both relaxed and chill, and he even knows what I’m going to ask before I ask … I really couldn’t ask for a better match,” said Mary. As for the future, she wants to keep things simple. “My plan with Junior is just enjoying life with him. We Mosey on the paths and have fun in the Arena. I want nothing but the best for him and pampering him with treats.”
UPDATE 2025:
Nowadays Junior and Mary enjoy a slower pace, focused on the basis. “Now that spring came up, it has been nothing but to throw him out,” laughed Mary. “But he makes it easy – he actually lets me use a store -vac to get the mud and her off. Everyone at the shed gets a kick.”
Mary recently worked on Liberty exercises and he focused on encouraging junior to follow her around the Arena without a main cable. “He is not so much liked to trot next to me,” she said. ‘If I jog away, he will just go along during a walk. If I stop, he will wander around with this look like: ‘Why do you run when you walk is so beautiful? “”
It is clear that the couple just enjoy each other’s company. “I am very happy to have him in my life,” said Mary. “He is a special horse.”
The Jockey Club supports Many aftercare initiatives Including the thoroughbred Nacare Alliance, the only accrediting body in aftercare and thoroughbred Incentive program (tip), which encourages the retraining of thoroughbreds in other disciplines after completion of a career. View all the initiatives supported by the Jockey Club.
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