Alli & Suzi are known as "The Old Ladies" of the farm. " All The Best" (aka Alli), a purebred Appaloosa mare, is 27 years old this year, and "WoodFinn's Summer Storm" ( aka: Suzi), a crossbred gray pony is 48 years old. That's a guess, according to her teeth & our equine dentist. Alli is 14.1 hands tall, while Suzi is 12.2 hands tall.
These two old ladies are quite the pair and could wear "Red Hats" with ease. They are feisty, and troublesome as they work as a pair sometimes. Pushing gates open, knocking down water buckets, getting into places they aren't supposed to be... stuffing their faces with hay meant for the other horses... the list just goes on .
Suzi is a wicked pony on the outside, while Alli is just the opposite. Suzi is really quite sweet, once you get to know her. She had a rough life before she came to live here; mental abuse, beatings, you name it. Suzi had learned to be a survivor and we quickly were shown how. She would chase the students, bit almost everyone in the barn, but once she had her halter on, she became a Model Pony . We figured out that she had learned that if she scared or hurt humans in her life, they would leave her alone and at peace. At our farm, we gave Suzi tons of patience, well timed discipline and eventually she became the pony she is today. She's helped many youngsters become better riders in the past 19 years and I respect her patience in dealing with them. She's been in a play,The Wizard of Oz, too ! Suzi was the "horse of a different color'' in a play done by a local theater group in North East, Maryland. I was very surprised this pony had the trust to climb up a concrete stairway to enter the building, follow me through a very dark backstage to stand off stage for an hour being quiet, waiting for her turn under the lights ! And then to expect her to perform her part so well was incredible. But our Suzi did it with a flair! She's a very amazing pony and it proves once again what time, love and proper re-training can do for a horse.
Alli is as sweet a mare as a human could ask for. She's been shown at the World Appaloosa Show in the past and has just been a joy to have around here. She was very thin, blind in one eye and lame when I first met her. Sometimes I wonder if she would have survived that winter had we not brought her to WoodFinn. Alli is a blast, always offering nose nuzzles on student's tummies and full of love. Alli has been known as a horse doorbell.... Each time the front door opens, if she notices, she gives out a big whinny.
Alli & Suzi waiting to come in for dinner.....
