Author: joell

I know, I know, we just keep going on about surf and turf camp.  Why?  Let us show you why – take a look at IndoJax’s video below – while it goes specifically into the surf day of camp – and how magical that camp was, surfing was just a part of that magic.  Heck, horses were just a part of that magic.  The whole magic unfolded for a number of important reasons.  I could list them, but here  are words from a mom – the real heros of this story:

“The most incredible feature of the camp was the underlying spirit of caring, helping, community, and generosity that surrounded us during the 3 days.  We were all part of something much bigger than we could describe or see. We all shared a common goal of reaching past what seems possible to accomplish with our children, and extend ourselves into an unknown territory of “”what if”” and “”maybe”” and hope.   There is a phrase that “”it takes a village to raise a child””, but finding that village can be difficult in today’s world.  I felt that it was really there during those 3 days.

I was amazed at how all the volunteers (surfing, camping, horse riding) were so engaging with the kids, and how willing they were to play with the kids.   This gave me a huge break from constant childcare, which translates into a huge decline in stress level.  It was 3 days of respite for me.

 

I personally liked the small group of campers better than a large group.   My child doesn’t like large groups with lots of noise and confusion, so the smaller group was perfect for us.   It also allows for him not to feel as “”lost”” as he often does in a big group.

Camping was great.   But then, we love camping.  Being in nature is so very healing and renewing for us. It was great it was near to home too.

Having an SNK can be so exhausting and lonely, that it truly seemed like a miracle to have so many volunteers willing and wanting to help.  I cried when I saw 5 people around the surf board with my son, all helping him and encouraging him.  I don’t know if I’ve ever been blessed with such extravagence of generosity of community…. just in the simple act of helping.

My child likes sensory stimulation of waves in the ocean, so the surfing was a great extension of that.  He has been SOO proud of learning to do a sport that most of his friends don’t do.  Like many other kids on the spectrum, he has difficulty with team sports, and is left out of most of those. So the surfing and horsebackriding were great.

I liked that the camp didn’t pressure the kids to ride or surf.   My son likes to watch most everything first, and observe it for a long time before he participates.    Those hours when he isn’t surfing or riding, or even participating in the music circle aren’t lost on him… he is soaking up so very much. I was actually quite amazed that the surfing instructor and horseback riding instructors had the magic touch to get him out of his comfort zone to try riding and surfing.

The unstructured time was good because it gave the kids time to be themselves and chose activities to play. The swords worked out great!!

Probably the number one reason this camp worked for us was that it was for parents and children together. My child won’t do a camp by himself without a parent, and it’s hard to find camps for both parent and child.

I loved the music circle.   The person who came to do it was fabulous.

The food was fabulous, and just knowing that it came from such a wonderful restaurant was amazing.

After we got home, my child did some things in the next week that I’ve rarely seen him do before, mostly that involved getting out of his shell.   The camp did wonders for his self-esteem and self-confidence — just being accepted, welcomed, and built up by so many genuinely caring volunteers was invaluable and unmeasurable.   For me, the camp was a much needed respite, and encouragement.  I learn more from other parents of SNKs than I ever learn from our MDs or books, so being able to have time to meet other parents and get to know them was wonderful.  For me, having an SNK has been so lonely and difficult, and just being given the opportunity to participate in something so generous felt like a miracle.”

 

 

Back from our first collaboration of horses, camping and surfing for autism families. Words can’t describe the experience. These photos, taken through the lens of one of the moms, tells the story of celebrating family, childhood, horses,tribe,  nature and surfing.

“We really achieved something quite extraordinary here. I haven’t seen so many cognitive and sensory changes happen so radically in such a short space of time to such a large number of kids. The surf/turf is totally complimentary – and the surf culture you’ve managed to create Rocky is impeccable. all those teens are future leaders.” Rupert Isaacson, HorseBoy Foundation

 

This was a collaboration between Jack Viroel and his crew at IndoJax Surf Charities, Iliane Lorenz, Jenny Lockwood and Rupert Isaacson of HorseBoy Foundation, Rocky Raynor and the fantastic kids on the Half Moon Bay Surf Club Team and Square Peg.  We’d like to publicly thank Robin Camozzi and Carl Hoffman at HMB Feed and Fuel for providing a beautiful setting for the event, Lucinda Mandella and the folks at  CARMA for the support that made it possible, Peter Finch and Nikki Medora at KGO for the live interview (click here to listen), Bo Razon for the world-class music, Terri Milkovich and 231 Ellsworth for the yummy food that saw us all through, for Square Peg volunteers, Rachel Bisaillon, Deborah Lynn Rod, Max Freiberger, Aaron Schneider and Susana DuLait.  Even surf legend Jeff Clark showed up to join in the fun!

“Thank you so very much for making today so special. There aren’t many activities that my autistic son and his little brother can share the joy in together…but today you made that happen!!”

None of this would be possible if it weren’t for our ranch manager Greg Crosta and head instructor Sigourney Jellins and their cast of fantastic volunteers for holding down the Square Peg fort while we were away.

“Just wanted to tell you thanks so much for letting W* join yesterday. I think he had one of the best days of his life. Still very tired today but in a good way.”

 

The families were the key to it all of course.  We are so grateful for the trust they showed us as we fumbled our way through our first efforts.  Being able to share laughter and silliness, food and adventure with them all was a treat we will savor for a long time to come.

“It is such a relief to be among people who see his strengths, and do not stand with crossed arms and pursed lips as they view him through eyes narrowed in judgement and disapproval. Reminds me of how great it is to hang out at the ranch and has given me lots of food for thought. And what a relief for my son to know that people wouldn’t be upset with him or disappointed by his choices to participate or not. That in and of itself was a huge gift.”

Finally, I can’t forget to thank our horses for the camp; Bob, Bert and Django – stars forever!

“Cavalia is a fresh mix of equestrian and performing arts, multimedia and special effects. Conceived by Normand Latourelle and often labelled an equestrian ballet, Cavalia is a spectacular and moving tribute to the relationship between men and horses throughout history, a dream of freedom, cooperation and harmony. In a fairy tale setting filled with poetry and emotion, the show innovatively integrates acrobatics, dance, aerial stunts, live music and equestrian arts. Under the White Big Top, a 50-metre stage permits the horses to express themselves in all their splendour, nobility and strength, often completely free.”

Square Peg was given a unique opportunity to partner with Cavalia. We have been granted a block of tickets to the show on Saturday, August 4th.

100% of the sales of the tickets below will benefit Square Peg programs.  Join us on Saturday August 4, 2012 as we enjoy the show in community.  See you there!

Tickets are limited and it will be first come, first served.  All tickets will be at Will Call. Please know that there will be no refunds.

 

Choose Your Tickets

Adult$135.00 USDJunior (age 5 to 18)$120.00 USD

All tix will be at Will Call!

All tickets will be at Will Call

Every time we can, we try to let the kids speak for themselves – especially when it comes to horses they love.  What follows is a statement from the heart about our beloved Cometa from a child who knows and loves him like no other.

“Roughly five years ago, a skinny, unhappy, 15.3,  bay OOTB gelding was brought to Square Peg Foundation and my life was forever changed.  It becomes hard for me to put into words how much this little horse, Cometa, means to me because everyday he continues to drastically change my life in the most amazing ways.  Throughout these years, we have flown over courses and 3’6 jumps, galloped down polo fields, and continued to support each other through it all.  If I am ever off my game, Cometa knows just what to do, where to be, and can figure out a way to end my day with a smile.  Through the thick and thin moments in my life, he has always been my rock; the one I can trust and count on to brighten my day.  Because of his easy going personality & willingness to do anything his mount asks of, Cometa is one of our best lesson horses.  I’ve back ridden with him, been certified in the Horse-Boy method, and he is always my go-to guy when i want to try any stunt that comes to mind. Everyday I am so thankful for having Cometa in my life because without him, I truly don’t know where I would be, who I would be, or if I could make it.”

Farris Scott, age 15 Square Peg volunteer and student since 2005

 

Unique Venture Brings Horseback Riding, Camping and Surfing Experience to Autism Families

It all started at a coffee shop in Half Moon Bay.  Rupert Isaacson, founder of the HorseBoy Foundation was sipping tea and chatting with Joell Dunlap, Executive Director of Square Peg Ranch before heading out to do an intense training with a dozen autism specialists, parents and therapists at Square Peg Ranch.

 

“I’ve always had this dream” said Isaacson while stirring his tea “The work we do with autism kids and horses – we know the reason it works is because we are getting these kids moving in rhythm and in a way that connects them to the natural environment. Right?   If it works with horses, it will work getting these kids in the ocean and taking them surfing. We just need to find people that know how to get these kids in the water safely”
Dunlap smiled, pulled out her phone and made a call to Half Moon Bay Surf Club’s middle school coach Rocky Raynor.  Within minutes a meeting was set up, the dream was now an idea and plan was in motion to make it a reality.

 

Meanwhile, in Wilmington North Carolina, Jack Viroel was planning the 3rd annual trip to India. Why?  To take 60 orphaned street children and teach them to surf of course.  IndoJax Surf Charities has been offering surfing to disadvantaged populations for years. When the phone lit up with his old friend Rocky Raynor’s name, Jack answered eagerly to hear what his west coast friend was up to. “I’m talking with these folks that do work with autistic kids and horses and they want to incorporate surfing.” said Raynor.

“When do we start?” was Viroel’s reply.

 

India Surf Safari 2012 from Indo Jax Surf Charities on Vimeo.

Since then, Jack has travelled to HorseBoy’s central location outside of Austin Texas to see what HorseBoy is all about.  An instant meeting of minds was apparent with Isaacson and Viroel. “Rupert and I hit it off immediately and realized there was a lot of common ground between horses and surfing when dealing with children with special needs.”

Back in Half Moon Bay, Rocky Raynor and Joell Dunlap started laying the plans for the camp.  A beautiful camping spot was found, volunteers lined up to help, the local authorities were notified about which beach the surfing and possibly riding on the beach would occur.  Dunlap submitted a proposal to the Jan, Mace and Samantha Siegel CARMA Foundation to help fund food, travel and camping expenses for the event and was thrilled to find out it was approved in early June.

On July 21 through July 23, several local autism families will camp in the coastal hills.  The whole family, siblings and parents alike will participate in riding horses under the care of HorseBoy and Square Peg instructors. There will be opportunities to share music and food and art throughout the camp.  On Tuesday, July 22, they will travel to the famous Surfer’s Beach just north of Half Moon Bay for a day of surfing, also for siblings and parents as well.  The idea is to give the families something special and challenging to do together as a family and to live for a few days as a community that supports them and each other.  HorseBoy Foundation has run scores of these camps with horses in Texas, in the UK and in Canada but this will be the first to offer surfing as well. Square Peg Foundation has been offering a riding program to autistic kids on the Coast and surrounding areas since 2004.  The Half Moon Bay Surf Club has been encouraging local kids to surf and to excel in school through their innovative programs since 2009 and IndoJax – well they’ve been tirelessly offering the magical surfing stoke to kids all over the world.

Other organizations have pulled together to help make this dream a reality as well.  Local equestrian leader Carl Hoffman has offered his coastal horse camping spot to the effort for less than cost.  The HMB Fire Department wants in on the fun too and plans to bring an engine for the kids to explore.  Musicians, cooks and restaurants keep calling to offer their services to make this camp something special.

The financial support of the Jan, Mace and Samantha Siegel CARMA Foundation makes this possible.  The Siegel family has provided unparalleled support to CARMA since its inception in 2008 and the Jan, Mace, and Samantha Siegel CARMA Foundation is dedicated to funding unique and innovative ways of supporting racing’s retired stars.  CARMA has been funding accredited Thoroughbred aftercare facilities since 2008 and has been impressed with the work that Square Peg Foundation of Half Moon Bay has been doing with their herd of predominantly ex racers. “CARMA is pleased to be involved in this exciting program using off-track Thoroughbreds.  Joell has put together an exciting group of organizations for this event and we are glad to be a part of something that brings horses and kids together,” said CARMA Executive Director Lucinda Mandella.

We have joined five charities, 30+ volunteers, local businesses and government agencies together to serve autism families.  This is the very spirit of community and unity.

Please check back regularly for photos and stories of our shared adventure.

 

Links for more information:
HorseBoy Foundation www.horseboyworld.com
Square Peg Foundation: www.squarepegfoundation.org
Indo Jax Surf School: http://indojaxsurfschool.com/outreach.php
Half Moon Bay Surf Club http://hmbsurfclub.com/

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for more information or to schedule an interview with any of the above mentioned organizations, please contact Deborah Rod at Deborah@everyonefits.org

 

Well, you asked for it and here it is.  Another chapter from my work in progress.  The goal was to have a first draft completed by the 4th of July.  I’m not sure that I’ll make it, a few characters are screaming for attention.  But I’m going to try really hard.  Below is a chapter featuring one of my favorite characters ever – Peter Stone, a retired jockey living alone in a trailer house not far from the track.  Personally, I love Peter. I hope you enjoy.

Luke’s manic tail wagging, happy howls and clumsy leap from Peter’s couch erased all the madness of Ann’s last couple of days.  She bent down and folded his head into her arms as he lavished kisses on her face and throat.

“Well Missy, ain’t it good to be loved?” said Peter from his couch.

Ann wasn’t able to get up from the floor amid all of the dog love she was receiving. In between giggles, she managed “How are you feeling Pete?”

“Fine as frog hair, darlin’.” He grumbled.

“Frog hair?  Frogs don’t have hair?” She panted, pulling herself up from the floor and gently pushing Luke away.

“You can’t see frog hair because it’s too fine.”  Pete laughed in between wheezes.

Ann smiled at the old joke.  Pete laughed harder at his own jokes than he did at the jokes of others.  It was endearing to her.  She loved it when Pete would crack up telling her a joke that she had told to him recently.

“Well, we’d better get moving unless you want to be late to your doctor’s appointment.”  Ann said.

“Don’t hafta worry about that.  I done gone and canceled that meetin’ with the saw-bones.”  said Pete.

“Why would you do that?”  Ann asked.

“I’m tired of bein’ poked and prodded like an old pin cushion.  Those doctors and nurses treat you like you was nothin’ but a piece of meat.  No dignity.  So I fired ’em.”

“What about your prescriptions? How will you get the medicine you need?”

“I figure that pills never did much for my Donna, she died anyway, so what the hell can they do for me?”  Pete looked at Ann defiantly.  “Nope” he continued “I’m too old to cure, you just leave old Pete be.  I’ll be allright, don’t you worry your pretty little head.  Luke and I talked about it all night and he agrees.”  Pete reached out and stroked Luke’s silky long ears.  Then he reached into the folds of the couch and produced a bag of ginger snap cookies.  “Want one?”

“Pete” said Ann shocked “You know you have to watch your sugar!”

“Listen missy, I spent 31 years of being a rider and watching my weight like a hawk.  Can’t eat this, gotta purge that.  No butter, no salt on my meat.  When I quit ridin’ I ate like a king and every bite tasted like a treasure.  It’s the same here with these goddamn cookies.  Three years with watching my sugar and taking insulin and worried all the time.  These cookies have never tasted so good and I aim to eat ’em and eat some more if I goddamn feel like it.”

Ann sank to the couch next to him and put her hand on his hairy wrist.  “Oh Pete, I’m just worried about you.  That’s all.”

Pete wouldn’t meet her gaze, he turned to watch the Dodgers on the television make a seamless double play.  “Looks like the boys might have a good year after all.”

“Pete, we need to talk about your health.”  she pleaded.

“Why?” he asked.  “Why can’t we talk about baseball?  Or take the dog for a walk in the sunshine?  Or figure out your terrible love life?  Why do we need to talk about my health?  Let’s laugh and have some coffee, or pick a Derby horse together and just forget about arthritis or blood sugar levels or bowel movements!  Can’t you see that I’m tired of all this crap?”

“I’m sorry Pete, it’s just that”

“Don’t be sorry girlie, just shut up!”  Pete’s hands were shaking and so was his voice.  The Dodgers were up and there were now two men on base.  Both Pete and Ann turned silently to watch the game.  They both sorted out their thoughts in silence until the commercial break when the TV erupted loudly into a commercial for adult diapers.

“Ah hell.” said Pete disgustedly as he got up and went to the kitchen, dragging his bag of cookies with him.

“Hey, while you are in there, can you make us some coffee?” Asked Ann with a hopeful smile.

“Too goddamn hot for coffee now.” Grumbled Pete.  Ann sighed, not sure what to say next.  “But I got some coffee ice cream in the freezer.”  Pete grinned from the kitchen like a naughty child.

“That sounds great!”  Sighed a relieved Ann.

Pete, Luke and Ann spent the next two hours locked in flowing conversation, jokes, stories, nostalgia, junk food, a win for the Dodgers and laughter.  It was food for the soul for all three.  Looking at her watch, Ann regretted that she would have to break the spell and bring them all back to reality.

“Shit Pete, it’s four o’clock, I gotta get back to the barn for feed and medications.”  Then Ann ventured a risky move “Do you want to come with me?”

Pete wasn’t ready for the question and he sucked in his breath, retreated into the couch cushions and seemed suddenly very small and frail.

“Shit honey, I ain’t been to the track in a month of Sundays.  I couldn’t go.  Nah, you go on honey, I’ll keep Luke here with me.”

Ann pushed a little harder “C’mon Pete, I’ll only be there for a couple hours and then we’ll be back.”

Pete looked at his hands, flexed his swollen, arthritic fingers and winced. He wiggled his purple toes in his worn leather slippers. He exhaled loudly and looked Ann directly in the eye “Sweetie, I appreciate the offer.  I really do, but I figure the track is done with me, and so I ought to be done with the track.  You go along, I’m feeling sleepy.  I’ll keep Luke here and we will take a good long nap.”

Ann felt heavy and sad.  The worst part was that she knew it was true.  Racing consumed your life, destroyed your body, paid off sporadically and picked your pocket constantly. The racing game threw out champion horses, talented riders, brilliant trainers or wealthy owners just as quickly and cruelly as it did penniless gamblers, crooked jockeys, junkie grooms and assorted lost souls.  The track never forgave, but it always forgot.  Ann knew that she had spent her whole career working harder, going the extra mile, grinding away to achieve respect in the game and yet she too, would be forgotten in an instant when she could no longer ride.

“Let’s check your blood sugar before I go.”  Ann offered.

“Now pumpkin, you and I both know that I’m off the chart with all the crap we ate today.  Why the hell do you want to rub it in?  I ain’t planning on running a marathon this afternoon, I’m just gonna curl up here with this ol’ hound and sleep it off.”  Pete yawned and rubbed his rheumy eyes and dismissed Ann with a raised eyebrow indicating that the conversation was over and it was time for her to go.

“Are you sure you want me to leave Luke?”  Ann asked.

“Yup.  He’s a lot better company than you or this damn TV – ya see, he knows when to shut up.”  Pete winked and smiled as he pulled the old quilt over his shoulders and settled down into the couch.  Luke jumped up and curled behind Pete’s knees.  Ann walked over and patted Luke on the head and then quickly kissed Pete on the forehead.  “Don’t go smoochin’ on an old man little pretty” Pete mumbled with his eyes closed “You just might get more than you bargained for.”

Both Pete and Luke were snoring as Ann grabbed her keys and headed to her car.

Many of you know that I’ve been working on a fiction project for the last few years.

This last week, friends and family made it possible for me to sneak away to a secluded beach in Mexico to work on my project.  The timing couldn’t have been worse – I had so many things going on at Square Peg and the last thing I wanted to do was to leave my students and horses not to mention my sweetie on a self serving trip – but I did.

Our group was treated like royalty by the staff at Villa Violeta with amazing hospitality, first class meals and handmade margaritas….. Each morning, I’d get up early, grab a cup of coffee and hide in a spot overlooking the Sea of Cortez.  I was visited by lizards and birds and even a squirrel on the sunny deck where I worked.  The frigate birds soared overhead and the fishermen waved from their boats as they passed by.  It was as idyllic a place as I can ever imagine.  I was so far removed from my regular life.

But I was there to work. I issued my challenge to our supporters to help me get this project wrapped up and I’m proud to say that I’m ahead of schedule.

I promised a preview of the work and I’m here to deliver.

Below is a short chapter from Gallop Girl All Rights Reserved by the author, Joell Dunlap May 2012.

Enrique closed the lid on the medicated mud, wiped his hands on the towel hanging from his back pocket and used the wall to steady himself as he stood up in the stall.  Mercy Street’s legs were slathered in cooling mud and wrapped in clean cotton pillows.  He’d have to come back in and paint the  bandages with a sauce of habanero and cayenne pepper to keep her from chewing them off overnight.  He patted the petite mare and she danced sideways, snorting and blowing.  She wasn’t the friendly type.  He laughed quietly and scratched her withers. She submitted to his touch and even leaned into him so that he could dig into her perpetually itchy shoulders. Both satisfied, he ducked outside the stall door and made his way to the equipment room to fetch the pepper paste.  His eye was drawn to the empty stall where the dead filly Chayah Khofesh should have been.  The stall was clean and bedded, the straw fluffed and the hay net full.  Enrique pictured her powerful frame and curious face as it was this morning before her workout.  She’d had some promise and she was easy to be around.  She had a habit of peeking around her hay net, curious to see what was happening in the stall next to her.  He’d liked her for that curiosity and he missed her now.

In an industry where sentimentality is a luxury, Enrique was a wealthy man who spent lavishly.  He knew the quirks of each horse and he indulged them whenever possible. Each animal was a treasure of personality.  Some made him laugh, some made him wonder.  All of them made him a man satisfied with his work.  He knew that horses would come and go, some naturally, some tragically and  he cherished the time he had with each one.  When it came to people however, Enrique was thrifty with his emotions. He was an island of a man who preferred his own quiet company.

He fished a peppermint out of his pocket, fed one to the barn goat and one for Vaya Con Dios who quietly lifted the candy from Enrique’s callused palm and crunched it between giant molars.  “Che old man.”  He rubbed the silky nose and headed back to work.

Things would change at the barn and things would stay the same.  He had a good crew, with a couple of exceptions.  Most of the guys showed up on time and did their jobs well.  A couple of the hot walkers were on notice for laziness.  Only one groom worried him, his head groom had travelled home to Mexico for a holiday and had sent his cousin to cover his job in his absence. Enrique had an instant dislike the the cousin.  Something about his way with the horses unsettled Enrique.  The man had skills and wasn’t afraid to work, but he had a shiftiness in him that made both Enrique and the horse wary.  He’d keep an eye on him and ask around for some good guys needing work.

He’d worried about the Boss talking to Roxy Ayers about galloping.  Enrique remembered a time when all of them were much younger and romance was on the menu for Jude and Roxy.  But now he was a big shot trainer and Roxy had aged in a hard edged sort of way.  The notion of them being together now was laughable. Both were acting professionally and Enrique hoped that things would work smoothly.  The barn was poised for a good year with some decent running stock and some up and coming hopefuls and if, just if they could keep The Big Horse, Leo III from destroying himself or some unfortunate human, great things could happen. Enrique had his doubts that Leo III would do well without Ann.  He had worked around female riders for most of his career and he knew that some of them were good, most of them were out to prove something and none of them had the talent that Ann possessed.

Normally,Enrique felt that women  interrupted the flow of a barn.  Most women created chaos somewhere or drama.  They needed too much attention, or demanded respect they weren’t willing to earn. Most women you wanted too much to protect.  Enrique had to admit that he did have protective feelings about Ann but he never let on.  He knew it would just confuse Ann and they had their jobs to do. Enrique thought about visiting Ann in the hospital, but he had no idea what he would say and he didn’t like the idea of seeing her laying in any bed.  He liked thinking of her as strong and capable and laughing in her special way.  Yes, he did feel protective of her. If only he would have waited until later to get the filly to the track – she wouldn’t have been at the wrong place at the wrong time.  If only he would have put that little cholo rider on her back, then Ann wouldn’t be laying broken in a hospital right now.  None of it mattered of course and nothing would change the way things were.

Enrique passed by Leo III’s stall and noticed that he’d emptied his water bucket completely.  Whether he’d drunk it all or whether he’d kicked it out of the bucket was anyone’s guess.  But no racehorse, especially one as talented as Leo III ever went without fresh water and so he slipped inside the stall, fended off the vicious teeth of the chestnut monster and ducked out quickly with the empty water bucket in hand.  He washed the bucket clean of any straw or dirt and filled it being careful not to let the hose end droop into the water.  Doctor Connor had been adamant that not only did the horses never share a water bucket again, but that immersing the hose into a water bucket was a sure source of disease spread.  He’d primed all of the grooms on the practice and he’d had to keep a close eye on one of the lazier grooms lest the barn be beset with another raging respiratory infection. He fished another peppermint from his pocket and let Leo III see it.  His sharp ears heard the cellophane noise and perked forward.  Enrique was not fooled, he tossed the peppermint expertly into the horse’s grain bucket to distract the animal while he re-affixed the filled water bucket to the wall.  Leo III dove for the peppermint and savagely rooted around in his grain bucket to find it.  He attacked the grain with and open mouth and crunched hard, feed dripping from his lips.  Enrique chuckled appreciatively. Aggression in a racing colt the size and breeding of Leo III was not the horse’s fault.  It was the product of hundreds of years of racing breeding and a wholly unnatural environment.  In the wild, Leo III’s rogue behavior would be so over the top that the herd would banish him to perpetual bachelorhood. Instead, if he continued to race as well as he had, he would retire to the breeding shed of a beautiful farm where his every whim was attended to and mares would come in from the world over.  But if they couldn’t get his feet to harden up, Leo III would be just another failed and unrideable ex racehorse with a lovely pedigree and nowhere to go.  Enrique looked at the pale saucer shaped feet and sighed.  Supplements, special glue on shoes, training only on the dirt track and racing only on choice grass courses or wet and cold muddy tracks, acupuncture – it seemed they had tried everything and now he would have to manage this beast without Ann.