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| Hidden Paradise Farms Equestrian Centre |
And now for the rest of the story...... It was Saturday,Oct 18, 2004 around 3pm and
we were finally in a position to check our emails. We had been so busy assisting
people with the evacuations that besides putting the completion of our facility on
hold, we also found ourselves several days behind on returning emails.
we were finally in a position to check our emails. We had been so busy assisting
people with the evacuations that besides putting the completion of our facility on
hold, we also found ourselves several days behind on returning emails.
We received an email from Elizabeth at Bits & Bytes making reference to the 130+ thoroughbreds that
would be either auctioned off, or possibly sent to slaughter. Most of the listings of the horses had
pictures, and of course I had to take a look. Beautiful horses that were just not fast enough anymore,
some lame, some just tuckered out..... but all going somewhere.
would be either auctioned off, or possibly sent to slaughter. Most of the listings of the horses had
pictures, and of course I had to take a look. Beautiful horses that were just not fast enough anymore,
some lame, some just tuckered out..... but all going somewhere.
needed were more horses of our own. (I think we
After spending an hour or so looking at pictures I had
have begun collecting horses.) I went downstairs to
my wife, just shaking my head.... I just knew I shouldn't
mention this, but I just kept on shaking my head, and
of course she asked what was wrong. I tried to my
wife. We had enough horses, and the last thing we
change the subject but she knew that something was
of course she asked what was wrong. I tried to
weighing heavily on my mind.
After spending an hour or so looking at pictures I had
have begun collecting horses.) I went downstairs to
my wife, just shaking my head.... I just knew I shouldn't
mention this, but I just kept on shaking my head, and
of course she asked what was wrong. I tried to my
wife. We had enough horses, and the last thing we
change the subject but she knew that something was
of course she asked what was wrong. I tried to
weighing heavily on my mind.
| Burn's Future and Karakorm Tsunami meeting at last. They were trailer buddies during travel. |
I had read about retrained ex-racehorses and that many of them made excellent hunter/jumpers, dressage
and trail horses, so I knew they could be retrained. I also knew that with the mentoring from Stacey in
Florida (Camalou Farms) and Elizabeth (Bits & Bytes) that we could do this (I had never purchased from the
track before).
Well as I predicted around 4pm Saturday afternoon we began looking at pictures, calling trainers, talking
around the clock to Elizabeth and Stacey, (what do you think about this one, well this one looks good, etc)
arranging for transportation till around 12am. At midnight Saturday Oct 18th, we had 3 horses, then we were
down to 1 horse (two had gone to someone else) then we had 2 and when all was said and done we had 3.5
horses. Half was because Takin' Up Space was due to run in the next race and the trainers wanted to wait
to transport him to Georgia for about 2.5 weeks. After we knew we had 3.5 we began arranging for vet
checks, talking again to the trainers to arrange payment, and then of course how to transport to GA, and
better yet, how do we get them from the track to a holding place... Luckily Stacey and Elizabeth had this all
worked out.... boy... that was work... arranging it all in less than 24 hours, whew! Now we have him, now we
don't it was nerve wracking.
and trail horses, so I knew they could be retrained. I also knew that with the mentoring from Stacey in
Florida (Camalou Farms) and Elizabeth (Bits & Bytes) that we could do this (I had never purchased from the
track before).
Well as I predicted around 4pm Saturday afternoon we began looking at pictures, calling trainers, talking
around the clock to Elizabeth and Stacey, (what do you think about this one, well this one looks good, etc)
arranging for transportation till around 12am. At midnight Saturday Oct 18th, we had 3 horses, then we were
down to 1 horse (two had gone to someone else) then we had 2 and when all was said and done we had 3.5
horses. Half was because Takin' Up Space was due to run in the next race and the trainers wanted to wait
to transport him to Georgia for about 2.5 weeks. After we knew we had 3.5 we began arranging for vet
checks, talking again to the trainers to arrange payment, and then of course how to transport to GA, and
better yet, how do we get them from the track to a holding place... Luckily Stacey and Elizabeth had this all
worked out.... boy... that was work... arranging it all in less than 24 hours, whew! Now we have him, now we
don't it was nerve wracking.
| Proud Suave's trot after spending two days in route |
Our first guests were Karakorum Tsunami, Burn's Future and Proud Suave. They arrived from Amy's place in MA
where we were boarding them on a daily basis until the transporter was heading our way. He was running about 6
horses at a time going to different parts of the country. As drivers became available and trailers were making their way
from north to south and east to west.... we finally had our little ones here at the farm.
where we were boarding them on a daily basis until the transporter was heading our way. He was running about 6
horses at a time going to different parts of the country. As drivers became available and trailers were making their way
from north to south and east to west.... we finally had our little ones here at the farm.
| I was really surprised that our new guests did not understand the concept of grass. All three of them kept standing around the dirt area, but it hasn't taken long for them to get the concept. |
| Name: Karakorm Tsunami Foaled: March 2, 2001 Breed:Thoroughbred Sex: Filly Color: Dark Bay Size: 16h |
This picture was taken her
first day in the stall after
some turn out from the
long trip from
Massachusetts.
first day in the stall after
some turn out from the
long trip from
Massachusetts.
| Name: Burn's Future Foaled: March 24, 1999 Breed:Thoroughbred Sex: Gelding Color: Copper Chestnut Size:15.3h |
| Burn's Future a gentleman from the start. |
| Name: Takin' Up Space Foaled: Feb 21, 2000 Breed: Thoroughbred Sex: Gelding Color: Dark Bay Size: 16.2h |
| And then finally our long awaited arrival Takin' Up Space. His ground manners are absolutely perfect, he is a great joy. I can't wait to ride him. See how handsome! |
We did a great job in picking out some prime thoroughbreds. The vet checks showed these horses sound,
and well taken care of for racehorses. Excellent bloodlines, wonderful dispositions, and a willingness to
learn. They are extremely loving and gentle. After we begin cross-training we'll find out which ones will make
great hunter/jumpers, dressage, western dressage, or trail horses. We'll keep you updated on their
progress and training. I'm sure we'll find some excellent homes with great futures for our new arrivals.
All of our guests are currently resting and enjoying the good life, and filling up on groceries. (I really need to
learn how to work this new camera.) Come on by but don't forget the treats!
and well taken care of for racehorses. Excellent bloodlines, wonderful dispositions, and a willingness to
learn. They are extremely loving and gentle. After we begin cross-training we'll find out which ones will make
great hunter/jumpers, dressage, western dressage, or trail horses. We'll keep you updated on their
progress and training. I'm sure we'll find some excellent homes with great futures for our new arrivals.
All of our guests are currently resting and enjoying the good life, and filling up on groceries. (I really need to
learn how to work this new camera.) Come on by but don't forget the treats!
| Hidden Paradise Farms Equestrian Centre Michael Wuolukka, President 321 McCallum Place Lizella, GA 31052 478-935-9221 Request Info via Email Michael |