Senior Horse Tales
Pacific Northwest Region Winner

Rus T
Owned by Sue Dolezal
Bend, Oregon

Age: 21
Breed: Quarab

Rus T is my once in a life time horse. He was acquired for my husband, but became mine when they didn't mesh. He is SAR (search and rescue) certified with our county SAR, of which we are members. Rus T is also affectionately known as GPS horse as he ALWAYS knows where he is, even on a multi day trips. He knows our mountain trails well and on nighttime searches, he often stops at trail junctions I miss rather than assuming which way I intend to go. Rus T rarely argues with me, and if he does disagree, it's a swish of the tail. Recently, when we found ourselves struggling in a bog. My friends and my husband were yelling suggestions on how to save ME. I was able to bail off onto solid ground...Rus T got footing on a ledge, did not struggle and waited for me to "gather" myself. When I asked him to come forward, he did so with care and caution for me. That was the second time we have been in a potentially life threatening situation and he has looked out for me. When I got him, he was timid, untrusting, cinchy, unaffectionate, cold, and grumpy. He learned to trust me and will still go anywhere I ask him to...even after the bog incident he will step right into water. He is my once in a lifetime horse and I give him all the good care, respect and love I can. I don't ever want this relationship to end...it's just too perfect.