Coal
(previously Cole)
#634
- Cole - Quarter Horse Colt. Solid Black.
New
photo 4/10/02
Update
8/27/02 - Cole has been adopted!
This
lucky guy will be going to his new home with Poppa Bill &
Moma Joy very soon.
Bill
is quite enthusiastic about Cole coming home. He has renamed
him Coal and has made contact with a trainer in the area to
assist with Baby School for Coal. Moma Joy has made sure that
Coal will have buddies at his new home by providing a few new
friends!!
We
will be looking forward to pictures and updates as Bill, Coal
& Joy go down the trails!!
Thank
you Bill/Joy for being who you are and caring about the welfare
of so many!!
Update
10/12/02 - Here is a pic of Coalie in his pen, as usual
head sticking over the rail b/c he saw mom approaching. He also
likes to help us remember where the food is, he's right next
to the hay barn as you can see . . .
New
photos 11/24/02
Update
9/27/04 - Unfortunately, Cole's adoptors had some unexpected
changes in their lives and they were unable to keep this lovely
boy. While he was in the care of his adoptors, he received basic
training. Cole is back at TIER and is available for adoption.
He will need to be started in training, but he is a very smart
boy and has a nice disposition. He is a thinker, still growing,
likes toys and can be mischievous. He is appx. 3 yrs old.....almost
4!! Cole is available for sponsorship
& adoption.
Update
10/4/04 - Wow! What an absolute doll! This cute gelding
is SO sweet! He has had some prior training, but being young
he likes to test people. At first he seemed to be lazy and not
impressed with much of what I did. But once he saw that I was
beating him at his own pushing/shouldering in games he woke
up a bit! It was like flicking a switch. His eyes became bright
and his ears were forward as to say “Who the heck are
you?!”
This
guy is SMART! He was a blast to play with! He quickly went through
the games. So quick that I was able to already start playing
some of the seven games at Liberty (no halter or lead rope on
him). He would just go off of my body language and I think he
really enjoyed it. I loved playing with him. In fact we were
able to play 5 of the 7 games at Liberty in just our first time
together. He eats this type of interaction up! When I would
give him the cue to come to the center and “rest”
with me he would drop his head turn and trot up to me and stop
at a respectable distance. He did very well for the first time
working with me.
Cole’s
temperament is pretty easy going but if he doesn’t understand
or doesn’t like what you requested of him he gets somewhat
reactive. But if you are clear and allow him to figure it out
he catches on SO fast! He really does have an incredible mind!
I can’t say enough good things about this little guy.
I look forward to playing with him again next time I go out
to see Mona.
He
has a nice play drive that needs to be nurtured and allowed
to grow. He’s highly curious and likes having a “job”.
Cole has a great head on those beautiful shoulders of his. Not
a mean bone in his body at all, he just needs some more confidence
and he’s going to be incredible.
I
can’t wait to go back! I will keep you all updated!
-REK
Update
10/9/04 - Cole also had a great day this past weekend!
Looking
at the pictures you can see that I was able to saddle him up
and ride! Since he had some previous training it was easier
for me to re-introduce the saddle and riding.
I
am not aware of how extensive he has been trained but I just
went about it like he had never had someone sit on him. I’d
rather be safe than sorry. Especially since it had been quite
awhile since the last time he did carry a saddle and rider.
I had him check out the saddle and pad first. When I saw him
put his head under the saddle pad to try to put it on himself
I knew he was fine with the saddle and pad. (So cute!)
He
stood perfectly still for the saddle pad and saddle. When I
mounted he was perfectly still and such a gentleman.
We
were able to get into a walk and trot and attempted the canter.
But since my saddle that I brought wasn’t fitting as nice
as I’d like, I figured I wouldn’t push trying to
get the canter. Next time I will bring a pad or use one of Gail’s
so my weight isn’t pushed forward. I had to compensate
for it and lean back a little farther than normal. It was all
accomplished in a halter and lead rope. I used a loose one rein
and was able to do some lateral flexion, hindquarter disengagement
and backing up. He was great. He didn’t mind the rope
being tossed over his head and he also gave a lot of effort
to give me what I wanted. I think next time I am there I will
take him out of the round pin and into a larger area to work
on more stuff.
Cole
really is an awesome guy. I enjoy working with him. He tries
very hard and really is a pleasure.
More
progress to come!
Update:
The end of April 2005 Cole went into training/foster care with
Cindy H. Cindy, a long time supporter of TIER offered to work
with a TIER resident to help facilitate their adoption. As this
would be the first horse that Cindy had fostered, we chose Cole
as he is even tempered, intelligent and willing. Cole blossomed
under Cindy’s care and she worked with her personal trainer
to help Cole become the best he can be.
Enter
Rebecca. Rebecca had read about SueAnne on the TIER website
and sent a donation to help with her continuing cost of care
after her surgeries. While visiting the website she came across
Cole’s information and contacted us about adopting him.
Rebecca visited with Cole and then came out for weeks to work
with him and get to know him per the TIER adoption process.
What a great match they make!
On
7/26/05 Cole was officially adopted by Rebecca. She was able
to whisper in his ear ‘you are going home’ . Cole
will spend a few months at Foster mom Cindy’s trainer’s
facility to give him a stronger foundation. Congratulations
Rebecca & Cole!
Update
8/1/05 - a Postcard from Cole
Well
I’ve been trying to get a letter out to you for almost
a week but Mom’s (I’m not sure about calling her
that yet, but it seems to make her happy) email went kerflooooie
until yesterday and we haven’t been able to set up my
laptop in my new stall yet…
But
here I am – and wow have I been busy! Mom’s enrolled
me here at Uncle Steve’s Happy Camp for Horses for the
summer and I really really like it! I fit right in with my new
neighbors and I’m already sharing their water buckets
with them just like at Cindy’s place! There’s a
whole lot of activity going on here – people comin and
goin and dogs and trucks and all kind of interesting things.
My new stall is up on a hill so I can see everything that’s
happening and I like it that way.
I
slept really good my first night here and the next day Uncle
Steve said something about me having a new job and sure enough
he started showing me what’s what right then and there.
Then Mom came out Thursday for our first real lesson together
and well, let’s just say, it’s a good thing we’re
both real excited cuz we have a lot of work to do! I was so
excited that I couldn’t really stand still so good so
Uncle Steve gave me my first challenge: trying to stand tied
up for one whole hour. He thinks he’s so clever –
probably didn’t think I could do it but I showed him and
when my Mom came for our next lesson on Saturday – I stood
stock still while they got me all gussied up for my lesson.
HA – that’ll show Uncle Steve who’s the smart
one here.
So
our lesson on Saturday went really well – Uncle Steve
said I was a star and they should make a movie about me called
“Coal the Wonder Horse.” I think he wants to keep
me but Mom says no way… Ah yes, its so nice to be in demand!
Mom
really seems to like me a lot (she says its love at first sight,
but I waiting a bit before I make that kind of commitment) and
she’s always hanging out in my stall makin’ a big
fuss over this and that. Uncle Steve laughs at her and says
she’s babying me but you know what? I kinda like it!
So
that’s my first week in a nutshell – I’m really
having fun and I can’t wait for Mom to come out again
– She’s coming Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:00am
(and probably other times too!) and she wanted me to tell you
that you should come and watch us sometimes – just don’t
laugh cuz we’re still a little rough around the edges!!
Before
I go, I just have to tell you how much I appreciate everything
you have done for me. (Oh gosh, I’m getting teary eyed
here).
Cindy
– Thanks so much for letting me hang up my halter for
the last couple of months – it was super fun and I enjoyed
my time with you a lot – and hey, I got to meet Uncle
Steve too! Your place is really comfortable and filled with
love – please say hello to Penny and Fame and everyone
else for me and you had better come and visit me soon!
Gail
– It’s been a long road from that nasty situation
up in Canada to here – I don’t know what would have
become of me if you hadn’t stuck by me all this time –
there were a couple of false starts, but you know what, I think
I’m really gonna love my new life. Mom’s not the
greatest horsewoman in the world but she sure knows how to make
a pony feel good about himself. I think I’ve got a real
future now and I owe it all to you. Please keep on helping horses
like me – it makes the world a much much better place.
A
big Shout Out to all the horses at TIER from ole Coalie himself
– I’ll never forget any of you guys! I’ll
be sure to keep you all posted on my road to stardom!
Lots
and lots of love and kisses,
Coalie
the wonder horse.
And
from Mom too – she’s beside herself with happiness!
Update January 2009 - Cole (now named Coal – but better known as Coalie, Coalie Boboli, the Coal Man and just Buddy!) is doing GREAT! I suppose our biggest news is that 2 years ago I bought a new house and moved the entire equine and canine population to my home. A dream come true!!!! It was a learning experience to be sure in the beginning - taking care of 3 horses round the clock but we are old hands now… So Coal and Flash my wonderful 24 year old Paint gelding and Blue my 22 year old paint mare all live in peaceful harmony. Coal is like their son!
As for training – after we left Steve in Riverside we had a great time with my friend Teacy training us – but she had to go and get married and move to Australia – so after some fits and starts with other trainers - finally about 1 ½ years ago we found a wonderful trainer, Steve Boyles, here in the area. WELL! Steve, Coal and I all hit it off and have had a blast. Let’s just say that Coalie is a star! When Steve first started with Coal – he would take him for long rides around the neighborhood – getting him used to all the sights and sounds – As I had just moved in, I became known around the hood as Coal’s mom – he actually knew more people than I did! Coal has blossomed under Steve’s tutelage – and is definitely trainer’s pet! So aside from our two lessons a week with Steve and nice trail rides 2-3 times a week – Coal also has a part time job. He is so calm and well behaved that Steve likes to use him as an example for his younger students – so Coal can often be found ponying the 3 and 4 year olds! He loves having a job!
He is an AWESOME horse – not only has he grown into a gorgeous physical specimen (16 hands of pure equine beauty!) but you couldn’t ask for a nicer horse. The bonus is that he’s smart and he’s hilariously funny as well. He is just a happy go lucky horse! He still has his funny annoying ways with other horses sometimes – but Flash and Blue have taught him a lot about not being a noodnick.
Coal as super model! I love this one and have it framed in my living room – he is living breathing art in this photo!
My favorite – I love him so much and love how happy and trusting he looks in this photo!
I like this one because I always feel like Coal is taking care of me out on the trail.
Me and Coalie out by the lake near our house – I’m so lucky to have found him!
I swear that Coalie has kept Flash young – the run and play together and it warms my heart!
Here we all are grazing and hanging out in the front yard!