Razzle's Story

Facebook and Instagram have become the modern journal, which is all well and good, but often a quick picture doesn't do justice to the big things happening in our lives.  This year, Rob asked me what I wanted for my birthday in March, and I asked for a family photoshoot.  Rylie is 11, Emma is 9, we have been married for almost 16 years, and we had never had real family pictures taken.  

Left to right: Breeze, Rachel, Ember, Emma, Pebbles, Rob, Rylie, Razzle

Rob is currently finishing his Coast Guard tour here in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and it definitely makes for some dramatic backdrops. The tragedy to hit our herd in May, made me really grateful that we had taken the time and money to get these photos.

Rylie and Razzle - Ember and Emma - Rachel and Pebbles

In the blink of an eye, and a very very traumatic day, we lost Razzle to a bad colic.  Rylie's first horse, she and the little trash Paso from Miami had completed thousands of miles together, not to mention even more hours of horse therapy in the backyard.  

Razzle's story starts in June 2019.  She and her half sister "Jelly Beans" were purchased by a woman named Cathy boarding at our barn in Davie, FL for $150.  She was 8 or 9, feral, and a true "Trash Paso" that is so common in South Florida. 

No papers, 13 hands of pure sass.  My friend Christie put two weeks of saddle training on her, in exchange for Razzle's half sister, Jelly Beans.  

Jelly Beans got ridden every single day for at least the first few months, whereas Razzle did not. She didn't get many miles from June until late November 2019, and Cathy decided it wasn't the right horse for her needs.  At this time, Rylie was 6 years old, and still riding her little pony Melissa.

We had a problem, Melissa Pony was only 39 inches.  Rylie was desperate to ride on the Florida Cracker Trail with me in February of 2020 after seeing pictures of our ride in 2019, and there was a minimum height requirement.  Rightfully so, it's dangerous to be in a group of several hundred horses at kicking level.  Rylie needed just the right horse if she was going to complete the 120 miles in 6 days alongside me and Cisco, who walks out like most gaited horses.  Christie was sure that Razzle was that horse, and I paid Cathy $150 for a horse that no one at the barn wanted to ride, let alone own.  I did it with faith in Christie.  She put 30 days on Razzle, investing in their partnership when I had nothing I could pay her.  Knowing that Rylie's birthday was in the middle of Cracker Trail, I kept it a secret that we had bought her, telling her it was one of Christie's new projects.  Christie was so committed to the surprise, going as far as to lie to Rylie, telling her that Razzle had been sold to the neighbors and she only had her until after Cracker Trail to ride.  Up to this point, Rylie hadn't ridden more than a couple hours at a time, and we had very little time to find out if she was going to cowgirl up for this endurance ride.  Right after Christmas, Rylie got to take her first ride on Razzle.  It was magic.  

We completed an 18 mile cross town ride in January, a month before Cracker Trail.  Crossing roads (and by roads I mean 8 lane South Florida motricities), bridges, parking lots, bikes, you name it.  They were soul mates.

Cracker Trail - The cross State ride includes riding most of every day in the blazing Florida sun, through cow pastures and along roads.  Past Amtrack Trains and across Hwy 27, all the way to downtown Ft Pierce where thousands gather for a huge parade along the waterfront.  Cracking whips all along the way, ringing like gunshots in the humid air.  They did every mile.

Halfway through the week, on Rylie's 7th birthday, she got a big surprise.  Razzle was hers, forever.

They completed 4 Cracker Trails together, and never missed a single mile.

People talk about horses who have heart.  Razzle was one of those horses.  She never took a lazy step in her life, always ready and willing.  She also loved to swim, and most of all, she loved her yellow boyfriends.

Rylie and Razzle were happiest in the mountains.  The scrawny little Paso would out climb anyone else in the group, and took Rylie safely over every obstacle.  

Razzle, I will forever be in your debt.  You taught my daughter so much about how to be a horsewomen.  You taught her how to work hard, be patient, and how to give the energy you want back. We will never forget you, sweet girl.