Name: Retired Habit
Barn Name: River
Birth Year: 1997
Gender: Gelding
Height: 16.0
Color: Dark Bay
Location: Somis, CA
Starts/Win/Place/Show: 16/6/4/2
Career Highlights: Ran in stakes company (California Cup Sprint Handicap at Oak Tree)
Total Earnings: $205,960.
Last Race: 12/17/2005
Sire: Mr. Integrity
Dam: Lady Habit (My Habitony)
Other Pedigree Notables: Mr. Prospector, Raise a Native, Nijinksy, Northern Dancer
Description: Many thanks to our friends at Forgotten Horses Rescue, we were alerted to River’s plight. River was abandoned and found in a river bed, thus he attained his barn name. His owners were located but they did not want him back as their daughter had grown “tired of him.” We thought he might be much older as he was quite neglected but it turns out he’s only 17 so still has years ahead to be a trail or pony horse. He’s extremely kind and gentle and loves little kids most of all. This horse earned over $200,000 at the track and still was left to fend for himself at the end. We hope someone will come along and do right by this boy, give him a second job/career and then let him have his well earned retirement.
January 2, 2015: We are pleased to announce that River has found himself a wonderful home with Susan Schwartz of Heaven Can Wait Equine Sanctuary in San Miguel, CA. River is not only a wonderful trail horse, but has a remarkably kind and affectionate temperament. He truly takes to all things little. River will participate in HCW’s therapy horse program. What better way than for a child with learning challenges or disabilities to grow than to spend time with a very special off-track thoroughbred! Thank you Susan!
June 2015 Update: River’s story is not over yet. Yes, he was happy and incredibly well cared for, but there was still another chapter in River’s story. June & Brett S. of Palmer, Alaska contacted Neigh Savers to adopt High & Mighty. After many hours of conversation and thorough reference checks, we decided to send High & Mighty to his forever home just outside of Anchorage, AK. June had her horse, but Brett needed his faithful steed who would hang out with him, go for a trail ride, and just be a best friend. June asked if we had anything in our program. Immediately, River came to mind. June and Brett opened their heart to River. Shortly, thereafter both River and High & Mighty were on a Fedex plane to Alaska. They were welcomed home by Brett and June. River has adapted to his new home so well. Trail rides and sharing a beer in the pasture are in River’s future. From being thrown away in a riverbed to having found his forever home, River’s story has come full circle. Happy endings do exist.