For Michele Enck, discovering a brand new coronary heart horse was one thing she by no means anticipated to occur once more. Enke relies in Maryland and at the moment works as a stakes coordinator with the Maryland Jockey Membership, the place he was lately promoted from horse identification.
A number of years in the past, Jessica Hammond stopped by Enck’s window whereas working within the Pimlico workplace. Hammond serves as govt director of Past the Wire, a Maryland-based program designed to advertise secure and fulfilling placements for retired racehorses.
Three years in the past, Enck misplaced his first beloved horse, a pony.
“I by no means thought I might meet one other coronary heart horse in my life,” she stated. “And I did.”
That day, Hammond stopped by Enck’s window and stated, “I believe I discovered your horse.” She shared a photograph of a stallion named Rebound. Rebound’s variety eyes and lovable face instantly captured Enku’s coronary heart. His small measurement, with fewer than 16 fingers, was additionally a bonus, however Enku already felt he had one thing particular.
“I stated, ‘You discovered my horse,'” she remembers.
Rebound is a bay gelding who was born on April 16, 2013 and commenced his life in Eire earlier than promoting at Goffs and Tattersalls. His journey ultimately led him to Maryland.
Rebound was supplied by means of the Cunning G Basis, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited group. Laurie Calhoun of the Foxie G Basis works intently with Past the Wire. Past the Wire companions with licensed farms to assist place horses into new houses.
For the following three months, Enck visited Cunning G Basis Rebound as soon as per week, looking for an appropriate farm to start out a brand new chapter. With Mr. Calhoun’s steering, the adoption course of went easily.
“(Laurie) made my adoption course of as simple as doable,” Enck stated. “After I want recommendation on rebounding, she’s nonetheless there to assist me.”
“Rebound is liked and cherished seven days per week,” Enck added.
Now that Enck and Rebound have settled into their new lives, they get pleasure from path using collectively a few times per week, a routine that Rebound would don’t have any different alternative.
Neither the horse nor the jockey obtained any specialised coaching, so we began from scratch. Enck’s long-term objective was easy however significant: to have the ability to hit the paths alone together with his horse. They labored collectively to attain it.
“My objective was simply to make him love me as a lot as I really like him,” she stated. “And we achieved that.”
The calm nature of rebounding does not cease at Enc. He appears to be fascinated by everybody he meets, together with horses and different animals.
“Rebound is so liked by all of the horses and every kind of animals he meets,” Enck stated. “He is a really distinctive particular person.”
For Enk, rebounding means greater than only a profitable implementation. He proves that generally, a horse of one other coronary heart can discover its manner into your life, while you least count on it.
The Jockey Membership helps Many aftercare efforts These embrace the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the one accredited physique for aftercare, and the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP), which inspires retraining of Thoroughbreds into different fields on the finish of their careers. See all initiatives supported by the Jockey Membership.
