In the City of Valley,Al.there is a place called Another Chance Equine Rescue And Retirement (A.C.E.R.R.). They run off donations, therefore they throw various horse shows, rodeos and many other activities open to the public. They also have volunteers of all ages who love to donate their time to save horses lives. In 2005 A.C.E.R.R. was delivered a malnourished, abandoned and un loved horse. A seventeen year old, Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit is a bay Thoroughbred gelding that came to A.C.E.R.R. in July of 2005. Every one has something to say about him, good and bad. When the vet came he said that he was surprised that this horse was still alive and that he had only seen horses in a condition this poor in his text books. The founder of A.C.E.R.R., Ms. Greta, said that when he arrived he smelled like he had already died. She also said that he had so much dirt, and dead hair and skin on him that it took weekly bathing for a month to get all of it off. Only, bathing was a problem considering Seabiscuit was very touchy with his spine and withers and especially his backend. Seabiscuits feet were in need of care also, but the farrier wasn't an option since it took almost a month before he could stand long enough for anyone to trim his feet without him falling. The horse could not run because it caused too much pain, but nobody knew why. Later it was announced that Seabiscuit had ring bone in both of his front feet, therefore it was a painfully hard task for him to walk on even the smallest amount of uneven surfaces and he had to stay in the areas with soft faces like grass. He also had to have special shoes to help him balance on different tops when he was ready. Seabiscuit slowly made progress over time and has now graduated to wearing real shoes. When Seabiscuit arrived they tried desperately to get a weight on him but he had to much of his muscle mass missing, therefore all they could do was wrap a weigh tape around him. But Unfortunately they had no true way of knowing his correct weight and they could only record a skull weight of 890lbs. with his height being as estimated 15.3 hands high. Seabiscuit has come a long way since 2005 and has made a special place in everybody heart that he has met. He has not yet left the rescue and is very attentive to visitors and new people. Now everybody has something to say about him and all of it is good, the volunteers say that they have been able to place a various number of unfamiliar horses in his field and there have not been any problems. Also Ms. Greta says that he really loves to run now, its almost as if he's catching up on everything that he missed. As of May 2006 Seabiscuit weight has gone up to 1080lbs and enjoys every second of his new life.

 

 

 

He would run and play, this horse was so silly

 

Then one day, the owner got mad

And hit poor Billy, he treated him bad

 

He threw a horse shoe across the yard,

He hit poor Billy, he hit him real hard

 

Billy was sad, the owner had no remorse

"How can he hate me, I'm just an old horse!"

 

"I have grazed all day, plummaged and pilled

In the heat of the day, I grazed in the field."

 

" I waited with thirst as the days just grew hotter,

Wondering and waiting for a drink of water."

 

"I never complained about the heat and such,

Instead I played and loved my owner so much."

 

"How could he be so mean and disdain,

My head really hurts, why all this pain?"

 

"He has hit me before, this is nothing new,

Yet, still I wonder, What did I do?"

 

"Well, I have had it'"Said Old Billy Jack,

"It's on now, Buster, and no holding back"

 

"The next time he hits me, he will then see

Just how tough and old horse can be."

 

Then one day he was cruel, with no holding back,

He took a hoof to the head from Old Billy Jack

 

Now old Billy Jack was happy, he trotted away thrilled

And roamed and graved all day in the field

 

He grazed and played, he spent the day lazy

He just had a ball, Old Billy Jack went crazy

 

And then the car came, it was late that night

The owner said "Kill him, that damn horse ain't right!"

 

"Take him away, he's a pain and a chore,

I don't want that demned old horse anymore."

 

Old Billy knew someone would take him, he was sure

And his former owner was full of manure

 

He said,"Goodbye, Jack Ass, and away I will roam,

To find a new owner and a good, loving home."

 

"Sorry about your bruise, for which I have no remorse!

Think of that, won'tcha, next time you're mean to a horse!"

 

Virginia Scott-2007