Transformation Tuesday: Freckles

   I've Been Spotted aka Freckles the came from a ranch down in Eugene in March of 2016. I was told he was a schooling horse, but he needed a single owner. He had not been in consistent work for months, but had a background of both western and english disciplines. Needless to say I was shocked when first seeing him, unlike his pictures, a skinny, under muscled, and unkempt horse. His eyes showed very little light and personality. He had almost no mane and tail, he looked more like a feed lot horse than a former schooling horse. Though after one short ride I knew he had potential. His former name was Gambler, but when riding him I decided it didn't fit him, after a few days at Cantera I went with Freckles after a couple of baths revealed a body full of adorable freckles and spots.

   He got all the food and work he could ever want. Both my trainers and I soon learned he loved to work and especially jumping. He had a long way to go, he was still very stiff and needed more muscle, but time and patience was worth it. After about 6 months he stopped eating like it was the last time he was gonna see food and we finally saw his full personality. When bringing him home he was very quiet and when riding he was difficult only because he needed to be brought back to work. Now he's a very sweet, sassy and protective horse who is always down for an adventure, as long as there is food involved he doesn't care. He went to his very first busy hunter/jumper show in July of 2016, he was as excited and nervous as I was, after a few more shows he started to enjoy the extra attention and showing off in the ring. Thanks to Freckles, I can now compete in jumpers or hunters with more confidence. than I ever had before.

---

   After nearly two years of owning him, Freckles had made big strides in not only his training, but his overall health and looks. His hair is no longer stained yellow, but rather white and shiny (when he's not out rolling in the mud that is). His neck is starting to fill out along with his topline and he has a nice hindquarters to push himself over jumps. His mane is finally at a good length and quality, his tail is thick instead of a looking like a broomstick. He's much more flexible as he LOVES to show off to me and others by stretching his neck back to look at people. He's at a perfect weight now, but I hope he gains more as I focus more on his muscles. He gets all the love and attention he could ever want, now he has two lease riders that he adores while I continue to attend college in Portland. Never let his grumpy face fool you, Freckles is the happiest he has been in probably years. He loves his on/off Hanoverian girlfriend Goose and his pasture friend Potato Chip. I couldn't ask for a better first horse, here's to two years Freckles and many many more ahead of us.

- Judy

You can follow Judy and Freckles in their journey on Instagram @_equestrian_judy_ ​

---

Do you have a transformation story? We want to share it!
​Email your story with pictures here!