A JOURNEY OF TRUTH

A special rescue horse undergoes a moving transformation in the hands of trainer Julie Goodnight—with no saddle required.

What’s in a name? A lot, if you happen to be a hard-knocking 18-year-old Thoroughbred called “Truth Takes Time.”

Just ask gifted horsewoman Julie Goodnight, who has successfully fostered the racehorse-turned-broodmareturned-rescue at her Poncha Springs, Colorado ranch since April 1 of this year.

A 15.3-hand chestnut who shipped in from Oklahoma City, “Truth” was described by the veteran trainer as “… a gorgeous [and a] very typey Thoroughbred, reminiscent of Secretariat.” (The late superhorse was in fact Truth’s maternal grandsire.) A one-time winner at the track with $26,067 in career earnings, Truth was later est born in 2018. One of her Inagoodway, has won $459,676 over 49 career starts at the time of this writing.

BROODMARE BLUES

During their time in foster homes, many rescue horses are retrained for second careers under saddle. Others can no longer be ridden and might simply need physical and/or mental rehabilitation. each animal, no matter the circumstances, a caring “forever home.”

Still, why take on a retired senior broodmare?

“Repurposing broodmares is a big focus currently for the people and organizations that help horses in transition,” Goodnight explained. “Today, there are far fewer breeding farms than there were a decade ago, putting a lot of broodmares out of work. Many of those broodmares are aged and have had multiple foals, and they have special needs when it comes to reconditioning, retraining and repurposing. Thoroughbred broodmares have never been handled or treated like a recreational or backyard horse, and need [to be] re-oriented,” she continued, adding, “I’m interested in helping rescues and the trainers/handlers that work with broodmare rescues to develop good training protocols, so more of these forever homes.”

Good training includes lessons in “ground manners”: educating horses to be relaxed, willing and cooperative when handled, whether for haltering, leading, grooming, turnout, farrier work or saddling. Even if a horse cannot be ridden, excellent ground manners are a must for adoption as a “pasture ornament,” companion animal, or for non-riding activities. A horse that cannot be safely handled is a risk for all involved, including the horse.

TRUTH’S BEAUTY

Thoroughbred in many ways, Truth was underweight, shy and wary about being touched when she arrived at Goodnight’s ranch. She also had sensitive skin; a dull, shaggy haircoat; thin, brittle hooves; and an ugly quarter crack—not to mention “broodmare belly” and poor topline muscling.

“When anyone approached her pen, she would walk away and hide her head in the farthest corner,” Goodnight recalled. “She avoided people or being caught. She threatened to

bite or kick when you touched her in certain areas … it was a couple weeks before I could handle her hind legs.”

The mare was a challenge, to be sure. Still, as Goodnight wrote on her website, “Underneath her rough exterior, I could see Truth’s I knew she was an athlete, too. After researching her online records, we found that she raced for three years, which means she’s been ridden a lot in her past.”

To Goodnight, that was encouragement enough. “So what if it’s been over a decade since she’s been ridden?” she asked. “At least no one has screwed up her training in the meantime!”

Which brings us back to the question: What’s in a name, if the name is “Truth Takes Time”? Perhaps a clue: that getting to the “truth” (the best way to help this mare) would “take time” … and patience.

THE WORK BEGINS

Truth’s rehabilitation began with routine desensitization, including regular handling and grooming. Goodnight also started the mare on quality feed, high-protein hay and a well-rounded nutritional supplement to support hoof growth, haircoat bloom and general health. It was clear that, because of her age and her demanding career history, she was going to need joint support, too. (A longtime fan of Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences’ products, Goodnight opted for Cosequin® ASU Joint & Hoof Pellets, noting, “It was the ideal supplement for her, as if it were designed for her.”)

Within a month, Goodnight noted substantial changes in Truth’s appearance: “I know that people can fall in love horse, and that Truth had (and does have) the potential to blow someone away once we got her slick and muscled. I was not disappointed!”

After six weeks, the defensive behaviors were nearly gone, as well. “She was extremely responsive to retraining and desensitizing, and turned around FAST,” Goodnight said.

As the mare became reluctant trot also became a trainer reported, Truth began racing around and had “a spring in her step.”

THE BIG DECISION

Once Truth was reintroduced to tack, eight weeks of undersaddle work began. The mare seemed willing and able, but one unusual behavior raised some concerns. “It was only saddle on her that she would show signs of discomfort, not when I rode her,” Goodnight said. “But a couple times (over two months), she had dramatic and sudden pain reactions after saddling (and before mounting), which is why I scheduled her for a vet exam— X-rays revealed a condition called “kissing spines” four vertebrae with spinous processes that touched. “We have not ridden or saddled her since, and have been continuing with ground manners, groundwork [and] conditioning,” Goodnight said.

“Kissing spines” syndrome is common in Thoroughbreds, and there are many treatments for it, including surgery. However, the decision was made not to go the latter route with Truth.

“It was a joint decision between myself, the ASPCA (who rescued the horse) and Nexus Equine, the rescue that has legal domain over the horse and will process her adoption,” Goodnight explained. “Treatments are not curative; they reduce or eliminate the pain to enable riding.

“For Truth, if you are not riding the horse, she has no pain,” she explained. “Given Truth’s age and how much she has already given of herself as a winning racehorse and we decided that the best thing for Truth is to let her retire a family that wants a beautiful and regal mare, who needs a companion horse or a ‘nanny’ horse, or maybe wants to do inhand (non-riding) activities like agility, liberty, etc.”

TOTAL TURNAROUND

Today, Truth’s weight is excellent and her coat is positively glowing. She is happy, moving beautifully and ready to melt hearts come adoption time.

Even Goodnight, who’s worked with many Thoroughbreds over her career, admits to being surprised about the mare’s “total 180-degree turnaround” in attitude.

After careful and considerate trusts humans again and is willing to engage with them.

“Now she meets you at the gate—she’ll actually run across the pasture to be caught,” well-mannered, and enjoys her grooming and exercise time

(like most Thoroughbreds, she does love to move and particularly enjoys freelongeing with the other horses— and holding the lead!).”

So, when all is said and done, what’s in the name

“Truth Takes Time”? Clearly, a reminder that it can take time to sort out a problem and the best solution for it. In the case of this amazing mare (and many rescues like her), it was well worth it.