Speed N Valor (Brendon)

"Brendon" a 19 year old gelding had two racing names, Speed N Valor and Big Len but has been known as Brendon most of his life. His owner could no longer afford to keep him. As luck would have it we had two parties interested in another older horse named My Future (Lady), so one went home disappointed. Therefore, when the call to help Brendon came in we thought we might have a match already made and it was. We were told that Brendon was in extremely good health, was still jumping competitively, had no issues and was very people friendly. These things were all true. We were also told that his one and only issue was loading and that it sometimes took between 30 - 45 minutes. However, when Neigh Savers Board President Briana and her family came, Brendon decided they were "good people" and walked into the trailer in about a minutes time, only hesitating once. He immediately settled into his new life with the other geldings and we can share this report.

"I just have to tell you about what happened with Brendon this morning. Last night when I brought him home he spent the night in his stall. The other horses were in their stalls and were all excited because they wanted to meet the new horse. Well, this morning when I put them all out on pasture, I put Brendon out first and then my two year old, Jake. Jake is not a dominant horse at all so they got along right away. I then brought Duke, who is the herd leader. I was expecting a kicking and biting match while Duke established his dominancy, but they just sniffed noses and squealed once. There was no biting or kicking or chasing and by the time I went to the barn and brought the last horse over (Tequila), Duke and Brendon were friends and eating together. Tequila then ran over to meet Brendon and to my amazement, Duke ran over to Tequila and starting biting and kicking him to protect Brendon from Tequila. It blew my mind to see that, I would have never thought Duke would be protecting a new horse like that. Anyway, Brendon is doing well and likes being on a big pasture. I'll talk to you soon. Briana"

Briana recently took Brendon out for his first trail ride and she was so proud of him. He was the leader of the pack and very brave, scaling the mountains and crossing water. He only hesitated a little at his first sight of water and then plunged in and crossed as though he had been doing it all his life. Briana went out with her former colleagues in the Sherriff's Posse and two members were so impressed with Brendon that they are now looking for a couple of older TB rescue themselves. Thank you Brendon for such a great representation for Neigh Savers!

Photos show Brendon with his cookie begging face. He also bows for a cookie as shown in another photo. Lastly, he is shown with his new Paint friend Jake at Briana's farm in Colusa, CA.

Update: May 2009

Briana took Brendon to a horse show and not only did he carry the flag in the parade but he also placed fourth in Western Pleasure although this was his first show and he had little training beforehand. He was the only thoroughbred as his 15 competitors were all quarter horses. WAY TO GO BRENDON!!!!