to FatalCharm

Charm's Story

Hello Everyone! welcome to FatalCharm's Story! Charm is a 17yrs old bloodbay rescue arabian mare. What is a rescue horse? you may be asking, A rescue is one that is been rescued from abuse, neglect, starvation, slaughter bound and some are giving to a rescue when their owner wants them safe and can no longer care for them. Charm has a story that I'd love to share with you so please if you have a moment grab some coffee or tea and share a minute with us.

Charm (originally named kati and I renamed her to FatalCharm as it seem to fit her well) was given to a rescue in Toledo,Ohio along with her mother Karibay. Charm came up for adoption on their webpage and I just happen to run across it when looking for rescues in Ohio. I thought she was such a beautiful girl but the time wasn't right to own my own horse it would have to wait. *sigh* As disappointed as I was I added the site on favorites hoping one day it would have a horse for me when the time was right. Weeks passed and still everyday I faithfully checked the website the nto my surpise Charm was back up for adoption I just couldn't believe it! But all I could think was why did someone give up this girl. My mom and I talked for abit and decided we would contact the rescue and see if we could visit and see Charm. The date was set and we went to the rescue and learned why this pretty mare was back up for adoption. Seems Charm didn't like men. REALLY didn't like men or much of nothing for that matter. A guy had adopted her and they just were not a match for each other. She would kick at him, run from him in a pasture and not be caught, run through gates and fences, break cross ties and saddling? Well that was not a factor to Charm she would have none of that. Finally, after the guy had been bucked off 8 times in 1 day he gave up and gave her back as he said it just wasn't worth it. They told me they we're adopting her out as a pasture horse, untrainable and dangerous! She was mean and would kick anytime someone tried to pick up her back legs, she also had a large scar on her back right from a barbed wire accident when she was 8 months old, it was large and inflammed terribly with scar tissue. Now I had only taken Hunter/Jumper riding lessons for 10 1/2 and had NEVER trained my own horse but I was willing to learn. As soon as they brought her out it was love at first sight! I could see the sparkle in her big sad looking brown eyes, I could see the shine through her dull coat and her friskyness through her thin ( showing every rib and her hip bone as well) & muscleless body. I looked at my mom and she looked at me and we both grinned and that was it I KNEW we were going to adopt her! A week later after signing the adoption papers I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of my girl!! I could hardly sit still I was so excited!!!

That day I stayed with her from morning til night and I would have slept there if I was allowed!!! Not everyone was happy with an arabian and infact several said many nast things like " She's a junk horse she'll never be anything" Maybe she would have been better for dog meat" "How much did you buy by the pound". Though some were mean I just ignored it they just couldn't see what I could in this mare and I knew one day we would proove to them just how special she is. For several days all I did was observe her, trying to figure out what she was thinking, feeling and how exactly I was going to ride this mare without soaring through the air. When I went to pick up her back hooves she did exactly what they told me she would. She kicked out ..but not out of meaness.. out of fear she was afraid, afraid someone would hurt her, afraid to trust. Seems Charm & I were more of a perfect match then we would ever imagine. At this time I myself was going through a very hard time. I suffered from depression among other things and I too was afraid to trust people. After days of working with Charm I could pick up her hooves with no problems. Now came the hard part.. gentling her to ride. I lunged her several times with a saddle long before I got on her and made sure she trusted me. On Sept. 22 1999, I mounted my Charm for the first time. How exciting! Now I won't say it was an easy ride..far from it infact. She was stubborn and very opinionated and thought she knew better then I did. She would buck at the trot ...or just stop and refuse to move. After we fixed the trot ..the canter, well that was just so bad sometimes everyone held there breath as we galloped around bucking and slide stopping. She was fast ...very fast and loved to buck everyother stride to show her disapproval of the whole thing, or she would gallop and full speed and just put on the breaks, and she LOVED to chase anyone out of the middle of the arena!!! Thought this may sound terrible this mare and I were getting along great :) You see ..though she tried to act big and bad she could not hide her big heart though she bucked everyother stride she would keep her head up to catch me if I got unbalanced, she would even slow down sometimes if it felt like I was going to fall. NEVER once did that mare ever intentionally try to dump or hurt me! It was hard work but months of riding we were able to lines, serpentines, circles and trotting poles. It wasn't perfect but we were doing them!! Now I have been riding Charm for 2 1/2 yrs and I would trust her with my life. We are planning on attending some shows this year as we have worked hard together! She is a very special horse indeed. Together we formed a bond that will never be broken. We helped each other overcome all odds no matter what they were. If it wasn't for her I would be lost. This mare means the world to me and without her I would fall apart. She has healed me in ways that medicine cannot. I swear she can read my thoughts and she has been there for me during the hardest times in my life always offering a neck to hug, a mane to cry in and always turning around with those big caring eyes of hers as if to ask if I'm ok. I truly believe God sent her to me to help me as well as I help her and I believe she is my Guardian Angel. I can never thank God enough for the joy, love, laughter and tears he has brought into my life. Thank You Charm for everything you have done! I love you soooooooo very much! May God bless us with many more days together! And thank you for taking the time to read our story I hope through this page I have shared alittle bit of Charm's Specialness with you!!