continued........

On October 23, the colt weaned from his mother and now officially mine was carefully placed in a full box transport and arrived safely but a little stressed to his new home some twenty hours later. The completed Transfer Report was then sent back to the Registry with the appropriate fees via Certified Mail on November 1 with the ownership officially listed as Luanne Elizabeth Fairbanks and the Credit Union for processing. By November 3, I forwarded the original Bill Of Sale along with a copy of the colt's official Registration with the International Andalusian Horse Association to the Credit Union. The Credit Union also received a binder for the Private Horse Owner's Liability Insurance and for the Mortality/Theft Insurance from the insurance company by this time.

Smokey at 12 months

On 11/15/96 IALAH issue the Certificate of Registry with the Recorded Owner: Pasadena F.C.U & Luanne Elizabeth Fairbanks for Ahumado Del Fuego Salvaje 3424(S) [loosely translated to Smoke of the Wild Fire]; On July 8, 1997 the Spanish registry, the Ministerio De Defensa Jefatura De Cria Caballar inscribed Ahumado Salvaje 1 Cod.: 1901010021EU550 issuing the Certificate of Inscription.

Nearly a year had past and I was having a lot of fun ground breaking my new colt. He was proving to be athletic, jumping out of nearly any enclosure I put him in and with large bones, good height and wonderful movement, showed real promise as a dressage mount. I would not have been able to initialize the start of this longtime dream without the help of the Credit Union. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to them in enabling me to start on the road to achieving such a goal.

Unfortunately, during the month of June in 1997, I became keenly aware that something was seriously wrong with my new dream colt. He seemed to become ill almost overnight. He was shipped to San Luis Rey Equine Hospital and treated by the attending veterinarian who specialized in neurological problems. The colt deteriorated drastically and was given ataxic grade of 4 ½ out of five. The severity of the diagnosis of a neurological illness hit me like a freight train. If he had been diagnosed with any thing else, I could have handled it better as my husband of 18 years had multiple sclerosis, another incurable and terrible neurological disease.

It soon became evident that the colt would never recover enough not be a danger to himself and his handlers so sadly, on June 27, 1997 with great distress, the decision to have the colt humanely euthanased was made with consent from the insurance company for EPM, a parasite that attacks the brain and spinal chord, and other neurological complications. It is unfortunate that all of my precautions were actually tested, but it does serve to indicate how a well-laid out plan comes together. Except for the limited autopsy (which was required by the insurance company), disposal, and my $200 deductible, the insurance company also paid for Smokey's medical bills which by that time were more than significant.

After receiving and reviewing the findings of the autopsy, the insurance company paid the mortality on the colt on 8/11/97 issuing a check in both my name and to the Credit Union for the agreed value which was the purchase price of the colt. I know everyone is saddened by the colt's death, and in spite of the fact we all believe colt to be at peace and in Heaven, no words can equate the feeling of loss as death is always harder on those left behind. The disparity I felt was entangled in a web of nightmares and was only relieved by riding other horses, to whose owners I am so grateful. I know it was a very sad day for all of the workers at the Credit Union.

I still think about my first Andalusian colt and relish that his mear existence led me to a new successful relationship with the Credit Union of whom it's many employees I now consider my friends and for my new friends in the Andalusian industry. The insurance mortality payment and major medical payment essentially brought me out of debt, but I should have adjusted the colt's value when he turned 12 months old and recommend doing so every six to 12 months as the value of any Andalusian increases greatly with age regardless of their training until they are ready to be ridden. Because of this, I could not replace my fourteen-month-old colt with another fourteen-month-old colt and after some time resolved to search for another weanling.

Khan at 2 months

In late August 1997, I found another two-month-old colt this time from Gremlan Farms, who I wanted to call my own. The Credit Union was eager for me to purchase another colt and jumped at the chance to finance their second Andalusian. The insurance company, while I did have to sign a form stating I had lost a horse under my direct care and why, did not increase my rate or give me a hard time at all when I wanted to insure another Andalusian with them. Everyone who was on board for the first purchase, was still a member of the team on the second purchase.

So on November 11, 1997 I purchased and insured my second PRE Andalusian Inscribed, Khan GF (pictured here at 2-months old - I think I'm going to run in the opposite direction the next time I see a really fine 2-month old colt, there just seems to be something about that age!), financing him the same way through the Credit Union. Khan, pictured here at about 24-months old with me, is growing well, moves exceptionally straight and is proving to be athletic as well. As each day passes, I see more and more of a dressage mount in him and eagerly look forward to riding him soon.

Khan (at 24 months) and Luanne