(pictured above Former working student, Kyle Duffy, and Kaiser)
Marking a new beginning for an old friend
At the start of April, Ironstone Farm announced our decision to retire our halflinger pony, Kaiser, after 20 years of dedicated work as a therapy pony. He had spent many a year making the comfort and healing of his clients his top priority, and it was time for him to live the sweet life of relaxation and leisurely walks in the sun outside of the lesson barn environment.
By early May, we had found the perfect forever home. Kaiser would live out his retirement days with a family that previously rode at Ironstone Farm! His new barn offered all-day turnout, large fields, a warm stall at night, and a loving owner eager to take him for walks on nearby trails.
With his new home ahead of him, news of his next chapter quickly spread through the community. Staff members, volunteers, clients, and parents from the past 20 years came out of the woodwork to write, email, and record their memories of Kaiser to share for a send-off celebration before his departure in June.
One of the first and earliest memories came from Molly Egan, a former summer camp counselor at Ironstone Farm. As someone who worked in the early 2000s, she remembered Kaiser from his very first days.
“Way to make me feel old!” she joked. “He was one of the young crowd who joined the crew…when I was in high school & college. I remember he was such a good boy right from the start that he jumped right into therapy work with his buddy Bergen and [the other] therapy veterans.”
Kyle Duffy, a former working student who volunteered from 2009 to 2013, remembers the special bond he had with Kaiser, and while he is sad to hear the news, he ultimately wishes Kaiser well in his retirement.
“He and I were connected to each other since the very first day when I learned how to handle horses with him on the lead,” said Duffy. “Over the four years I worked there, I did my best to make sure I could interact with him at least once per shift, and I had a feeling he always enjoyed my company.”
Many long-time therapeutic riders enjoyed the opportunity to ride Kaiser for one last time before his departure. Among them was Guy Christiano, who has been riding at Ironstone Farm for 25 years, and Jeff Sleight, whose father David could remember Kaiser’s arrival like it was yesterday. The two of them made sure to get a family photo with Kaiser after Jeff’s ride.
Many other members of the Ironstone community reached out to wish Kaiser a good retirement and share their memories with him. Pamela Mackin and her son, Liam, have over five years of memories with Kaiser and describe Ironstone as a “special place for us.”
Kaiser’s new mother, Sherry, is ecstatic to have such a special horse join her family. She looks forward to taking him on leisurely trail walks alongside her daughters’ own horse, Tiny, who is a Clydesdale mare.
“We are so happy to have him,” said Sherry. “He will continue to be loved and cherished.”
Watch Kaiser’s retirement celebration video below to hear the well-wishes from our community, and hear a message from his new family!
Guy Christano (pictured left) and Jeff Sleight with father, David (picture right)