Over the past week or so I’ve been posting about the Secretariat DVD/ Blu-ray release & sharing interesting tidbits about the movie. It’s fun to see a horse movie become popular on a large scale – and Secretariat deserves all of the popularity he can get, he was one amazing animal.
Getting To the Nitty Gritty
It’s well past the holidays and time for a fun horse movie giveaway (I’ve got other contests in the works as well folks, so keep reading). This DVD/ Blu-ray combo is a fantastic prize and guaranteed to provide you hours of horsey (not to mention girl power) entertainment.
Giveaway Participation
Now for the fun part. In the movie Penny made a lot of sacrifices for her horse (something horse owners are well used to) & I thought that would be a good vein for the giveaway. Times are lean right now, but sacrificing for something we love makes us feel good – and your sacrifice may just win you a prize.
To win this copy of Secretariat on DVD & Blu-ray all you have to do is leave a comment below with the biggest sacrifice you’ve made for your horse’s well-being.
Everything is about perspective and what is a big sacrifice for one is trivial for another, so entries will not be compared to each other. Each sacrifice stands on it’s own merit and intention. It’s not about who has sacrificed the most, but about who has done it willingly for sheer love of their animal.
The Final Word
The giveaway is open as soon as this post is published and will run through 2am Thurs Jan. 27th Pacific Standard Time. At that time the winning comment will be chosen and the winner will be contacted. Comments left after the cutoff time will not be qualified for the giveaway as winner will be announced immediately. Good luck to everyone!
And they’re off!
*Although I try to appeal to a global audience, unfortunately this contest is limited to residents of the US only. Sorry rest of the world.
I just used all the money I had saved for my wedding to pay for a life saving colic operation for my horse.
Unfortunately he didn’t make it and lots of people can’t understand why I spent all the money but if I had to do it again, I would in a heart beat, his life was priceless.
He didn’t make it but I am so glad we tried and he had a few days after the operation where he felt good, I’m glad I was able to give him a the chance. I will miss him everyday for as long as I live.
Beautiful story……
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Good for you, Elizabeth. Very sorry it didn’t turn out better.
That was amazing of you! Money means nothing to a great horse! Nor a wedding for that matter!
I don’t go out to eat, go to movies, or go on expensive vacations so I have more money to spend on my equines. I spend more money buying things forthem than I do on clothes for myself.
My gift of my time to my horses is never thought of as a sacrifice……they are such wonderful beings and the fact that I am lucky enough to spend each and every day in their world is something that is still amazing to me.
I have the opportunity to share all of the magic that the horse can bring into peoples lives, by having a job that allows me to work sharing horses with the world.
From helping inner city childern find a world other than that of the streets, to pulling together magical equestrian productions that show people the talent that the horse has and loves to share!
So, I would say that there is not much that I wouldn’t do for my horses and I am greatful for everything that they have taught and given to me.
Thank you,
Lisa Diersen
The Royal Lusitano
When I was 6 my best friend come into my life, He 26. all white with one blind eye. A Shetland Pony named Silver. He taught me most all I know about horses. He was always there for me when I needed a fuzzy ear. We would ride long hours in the woods. And play in the paddock like two wild kids. I was 13 when my Grandma came around the barn corner and asked to talk . “Silver is colicing again, and he is suffering really bad” Now mind you he was 33 now, and losing him was something I didn’t want to happen. But I knew it was the most selfish thing not to let him go. So I gave the sad ok. Silver is always with me where ever I go. Pictures, home movies of us riding off into sunsets, and a painted portrait on my wall. Silver taught me most of what I know about horses, he taught me to remember the good times and let go and say good bye when its time. I love you Silver. HI HO!
I was called about my boy when they were doing a casting all for horses in the Secretariat movie. They were very interested in him, but because of insurance reasons, had to buy him right out. I asked if there was a way I could get him back after the movie was over, and they couldn’t say.
My boy is my love. I would not part with him for anything. I had to tell them no.
So, I sacrificed his chance to be a movie star, and me having had a famous horse, because I just couldn’t take the chance of never getting him back. And I would do it again….in a heartbeat!
We own 3 horses – one is mine, one is my 7 year old daughter’s, and the other is my 10 year old daughter’s. Both of my daughters are in 4-H horse and pony club. We give up a lot, so we can own horses and for them to show. We do not go without food or shelter to have the horses. But, I do give up dressing in today’s fashions, so the horses and my daughters can look their best (on my budget) at shows. They have to keep their show clothes at least 2 years (or more if they fit), but I have many articles of clothing that are 6, 7, 8, even 9 years old. Needless to say, I do not dress to impress.
I got divorced. Same old story. Husband jealous of horses.
He traveled for his job and was gone most of the year. I asked if he would rather I had a 180 lb boyfriend or a 1200lb one. Ultimately, If I had gotten rid of the horses he may have stuck around. Now, I know I am happier with the horses than I was with him.
I was was going to write my English Provential which counts as %40 of my class percentage. On the night before exam day, my mom came into the house saying that my miniature stallion was acting funny. Turns out it was colic. At the time we had no Banamin. So I stayed with him starting at 6 PM. Syringed water into him every half hour for the first three hours. I ended up falling asleep, lead rope in hand, on the crusher rock. I woke up at 7:20 AM and missed the bus to make it to my exam. They wouldn’t let me write it, which eventually, some of you can guess it, I FAILED MY CLASS!
My biggest sacrifice to one of my horses was knowing when he could not give lessons anymore, and understanding he needed to be retired. I gave him to a girfriend and even after he went totally blind he relied on her colt to be his “eyes” and he was also used for 4H and ridden lightly on trails. He passed away of natural causes. If i had not given him to my g/f when i did he would not have been able to live out the rest of his days in the best of care and concern. Others because he was blind would have shipped him.
I give my ex-wife a portion of every paycheck I get to take care of her horse. Even though the love for my ex-wife has decreased over the years, my love for that horse will always be strong.
My horse is Blue Blue Sea a 1999 chestnut gelding by Sea Hero out of the Alysheba mare Alytude. I have owned him since 2004.
The first challenge with Mr. Blue when fillies came to the barn he was at during the first year of owning him. He had far too great an interest in the ladies for a normal gelding. He even got hung up on a half door when he tried to jump out of his stall to get to a mare in season. The fire department still talks about that one. He was found to be proudcut. He had to go through a surgery to take care of that one.
His second surgery happened in 2008 when cancer was found on his right third eyelid. He succesfully made it through that one, too.
In August 2006, he started having one colic episode after another and lost nearly 300 lbs in a month. At a vet hospital he was diagnosed with a malabsorbtion disorder. They told me he would likely only live 1-2 years and that I should probably put him down. Thus began my journey of discovery. I’ve consulted with vets around the country and had a nutritional vet in CA work out a diet for Mr. Blue. Over 4 years later, he is still alive and 9 days out of 10 is completely healthy. Yes, he does still colic from time to time, but one look at his pictures show him to be a happy, healthy horse. I’d never keep him alive just for my sake.
I’ve lost sleep, money, and thousands of tears but it is no sacrifice. Now Blue and I are on a mission to get the word out that there options when faced with such a diagnosis. Well, I am at least; Blue is likely on a mission for his next peppermint. Thanks for letting me share a bit about my amazing horse.
Within a month after we got my mare we had a horrible ice/snow storm- wind chills in the minus teens and 20’s. She had spooked at something and tried to run through a paneled fence- ripping open her face, revealing her sinuses, had tears on all four legs, it was a mess. We couldn’t get a vet- they were out on calls. We hauled warm water- cleaned up the wounds, put pressure dressings, gave her antibiotic shots and tetanus shots (the injections kept freezing up and it was hard to keep them warm enough). We moved her into our backyard (no lights at the barn) where we have high solid. I got up every hour all night long and changed dressings, checked on her. In the morning- we hauled to the vet. By then the wounds were in good shape- gave her some more antibiotics- dressed her twice a day for two weeks- and she healed beautifully. It was a long miserable night- but so worth it. My husband’s comment was great though- after we dressed the wounds initially he asked me, ” you’re not putting her in the house, right?”. 🙂
I could list on and on all I and my husband do for our horses….thing is, they are the ones that do for us! So we may be pennieless, horses get teeth floats while we never make it to the dentist, get new blankets while we wear very old, foot care and shes while we wear the tread of our boots. Well you get the drift. Our lives would be lost wiwthout our crew.
The most recent time I sacrificed for a horse was when
my 2 1/2 month old filly got most of her side and underbelly ripped off. It was an almost 24/7 nurseing
job to keep her body covered,and deal with the colic
episodes: first from shock, then from stomache reactions to the medicine, etc. I gave up barrel racing,rodeos,social occasions, most family outings, and the money for several much needed new appliances.
The vet cut away all the hide and flesh, remarking that when she came out of the anesthetic, I could take her home. He thought it amazing that it missed
her intestines by 1/8 of and inch-and her stifle joint
by just a bit more. It took 4 months of constant care, and 6 more months of washing the wound every day. The wound, which was 24″ long and almost 12″ wide, has become a scar about 3″ long and 1/4″ to 1/2
and inch wide. This repair has taken 2 years.
For me, this wasn’t a true sacrifice. It was simply
what I had to do.
Time. Energy. Money. Comfort Zone.
When I first started working with horses and mentally and physically challenged people it took tremendous amounts of time, energy and money. Most importantly, the horses helped me step outside my personal comfort zone.
The horses need to learn how to interact with people that moved, spoke and acted differently than what they were accustomed to. This was actually easier than I had anticipated — the horses, like the dogs seem to understand why it is important for them to work with these people.
Although I gave up these things, the horses gave back far more.
On a daily basis I sacrifice many things to care for my horses. The depend on me and need me. The get fed twice a day,stalls cleaned twice a day,water buckets cleaned daily,daily turnout,etc. This all takes lots of time and no matter what the weather may be,I’m out there caring for them. I choose to do this simply for the love of the animal. Caring for horses is lots of work,but pays back in the end.
Let’s be honest….I am 41 and been riding horses since I was in my mom’s belly, and don’t think I have sacrificed a whole lot, except maybe my sanity for the early mornings, times they have been sick or hurt, feedings, getting home at a good time to feed 2 – 3 times a day, bumps, bruises, stitches, bathing the days before a horse show, cleaning tack stalls trucks horse trailers, an I could go on forever…..
But my horses have sacrificed soooo very much for me! I JUST lost my horse I owned 30 years December 31, 2010. She was a mere 36 years young. Now that horse sacrificed A LOT for me carrying me to Nationals and being there through my adolescents.
Horses are MY WORLD and now my 2 young daughters worlds! NOTHING BETTER!
Shannon B. of Diamond B Farm
The giveaway is now officially closed, thanks to everyone for their participation. I will be contacting the winner directly and announcing the results shortly.
We have saved our arabians life by giving him omeprazole everyday for ulcers and thyroid and metformin everyday, then he had a bad shoer that caused mechanical founder, he is in soft-ride boots with orthotics till he heals, it costs almost 500 a month to keep him healthy, on the other side we use him for therapy so he is worth it, our brazilian arabian, he can be ridden with just a halter and lead line. The smiles he has put on chidren and adult faces has made it worth it, a very loving animal that graces our home.
heloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo guyssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss i love secratariait but i lost it i think my dog eat it becuse i watch it to much
i have a dark bay 7 year old arab mare horse she is very suboron and hates going in horse boxes but i still love her my mum owend her mother so i have had her since i was 2
i allso have a 10 yearold chestnut gleding called chesny
i live in a bunny hole with 2 dogs,3 cats and a rabbit (DUH) never mind my couple dozen kids and a bunch of randomers aswell i also have a pink unicorn i stole this computer from a bin i think it has virus but it was a bargin