Page 50 - ST November 2013

communityI

BY NANCY DREW

Contigo

C

ontigo was found at the meat auction decided that if this little fellow was sold for meat, we
in June 2012. When I irst set eyes on would rescue him.

him, I thought he was only a yearling While waiting for the auction to begin, I ap-

due to his tiny frame, close-set front proached a horse trader that I knew was from our
legs, and a head that seemed a little area and asked him if he would have room to trailer a

too big for his body! His teeth also in- horse home if I bought one. He agreed and asked me

dicated he was not very old. He was thin and dejected what horse I was interested in. When I told him, he
looking. I realize now, he had probably withdrawn said, “I think I saw that horse go through the auction

into himself for protection from the trauma he had near Toronto four days ago. Show him to me.” Sure

been through. Horses will do this as a coping mecha- enough, it was the same horse. I asked him why he
nism, just as people do. He let me go into his pen and would be back for sale so soon, and he said he would

pick up his feet. He had a big gentle eye, and did not talk to the guy that bought him and let me know. So

seem mean.
the auction started.
When I checked in the oice about him, I was The irst clue I had that this horse had some issues

surprised to ind out he was a 4-year-old Paso Fino was when he freaked out when brought into the

gelding. I went back to observe him for a while and auction ring. The calm little horse I saw in the pen
noticed he would crib from time to time. This was my turned into a very hyper, agitated horse. The auc-

only reservation about rescuing him. After looking tioneer also announced him as a stallion when he

at all the other horses, my daughter Rebekah and I
came in (I was told he was a gelding). We clariied he
was a gelding. I certainly didn’t want to be bringing

Our irst views of Contigo at the meat auction.
home a stallion! The little horse was sold for meat

and I arranged with the meat buyer to sell him to me.
I went to tell the gentleman that was trailering for

me and he said he heard back from the seller. The
guy had told him this horse was nuts in the head! Oh

great.

While waiting for the horses to clear out after the
auction, our new little horse was very excited and

agitated in his pen. Now I knew why they thought he

was a stallion! I was having second thoughts about

48 | Savvy Times November 2013