When my current dressage horse wants a change in career, I visit Nonette, a beautiful wannabe-retired racehorse at the track with great dressage potential. I find her stuck in a dark, hot stall. I have no room for her at home and have promised my husband I won’t buy another horse until I sell the one I already have. But poor Nonette! Having seen the conditions in which she lives, I feel obliged to rescue her. However, my husband mustn’t find out what I’m doing -- he’ll never believe I don’t intend to keep another horse. Read on to discover how rescuing the pretty mare becomes a nightmare!

How Not to Rescue a Racehorse

By 4 P.M., the Expedition and trailer were winding up the curvaceous dirt road to Kathy’s farm, and I prayed like crazy she would be there to receive my precious cargo. I’d never been to her place before. As we rounded each tree-hidden corner, I expected to arrive at the barn. Time after time, I was disappointed.


Eventually the last bend was negotiated and a beautiful farm came into view.


My heart sank. I pulled up by the barn with Nonette whinnying at the horses she could see in the manicured fields.


I so wanted to let her join them! I checked my cell phone to see whether Kathy had contacted me. Her message said she wouldn’t be back until 8 P.M. that evening.


Nonette began to rock impatiently in the trailer. The only way to stop her was to get moving again and force her to concentrate on balancing all four feet rather than moving around.


Chapter 5