Alayne drove into Missoula on Thursday to pick up our blind Quarter Horse, Cash, who has been with horse trainer Will Balis for the past few months. Since Alayne is the rider in the family, not me, she also needed to learn from Will how he had trained Cash so she would know what cues he would respond to. That's Alayne riding Cash in the photo above.
Will has done remarkable things with Cash, but he also told us that Cash is one remarkable young horse. In fact, Will had taken to using Cash as a lesson horse -- riding him while he trained others to learn how to ride, and taking him on group rides as well. No one could ever tell the horse that Will was riding was blind.
Will said Cash is incredibly light on his feet, and very willing to do anything he was asked to do. To show off Cash's dexterity, here's Will doing a spin:
Cash is also one very calm, centered horse who doesn't spook. Will even had him dragging objects, like this jump you see behind them:
Will told Alayne that whenever Cash encountered something new or different and wasn't sure what to make of it, rather than bolt, he'd just stop, listen, and wait for Will to provide direction.
Finally, here's Will loping on Cash:
And with that, Cash came back to the ranch to hang out for another couple of weeks before leaving for New Hampshire.
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Shelter Challenge Update
The latest round of the Shelter Challenge begins on Monday, May 17th. We are going to sit this one out because of our current transition between Montana and New Hampshire locations. At the start of the contest we will still be in Montana, but when it ends we will be in New Hampshire, so what state we should be competing in isn't really clear. Also, I think having three of these contests in a single year is overdoing it, frankly, and my sense is that people are getting burned out from the constant daily voting 10 months out of the year. That's just too much. So we're going to stand down on this next round of the contest and then come back and compete again in the third and final round at the end of the year. Obviously, we can't prevent people from voting for the ranch, but I wanted to let you know why we won't be actively promoting it this time.
Thanks for the update on the shelter challenge. I was splitting my votes between RDR & the Animal Defense League - San Antonio TX in the last challenge so this will free me up to vote every day for ADL - San Antonio, TX. They came very close to winning last challenge. I'm sure others have one they want to help but If anyone wants to vote for them please do. I adopted my sweet kitty from them & try to do anything I can to support them. I wish all of the shelters could win.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | May 21, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Oh yes I forgot to mention one more thing, thank you for the update on the shelter challenge. This will give us all the opportunity to help another shelter. If only everyone could be a winner ...
Posted by: Rosemary | May 19, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Wow Steve, Will looks more like you now that he shaved his Grizzly Adams thing off ;) Welcome home Cash! Well, for a few days at least until you get to your new home with lush green grass waiting!
Posted by: Rosemary | May 19, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Cash has truly grown into a trusting, loving horse, It is evident in the pictures! I was just curious if he still does the "zipper thing"
Continued best wishes on the move to New Hampshire!
Posted by: Doe George | May 18, 2010 at 11:44 PM
Wow, I love this example of how you have vetted your participation in online contests. Very timely. We just posted a case study on this topic
http://www.casefoundation.org/blog/agc-conversational-case-studies-students-for-a-free-tibet
It would be fantastic if you could share your wisdom with the world over at the Case Foundation Blog
Thanks
Posted by: Beth Kanter | May 18, 2010 at 09:59 AM
When I imagine galloping off to somewhere I could not see... wow. Cash has an amazing trust in his rider(s) and Will must be a very gentle and good trainer! As soon as you have time Steve ;-), would you post a video of Alayne doing the spin??
And for the contest, I'm going to find another deserving shelter (don't they all) and see what I can do....
Posted by: Jessica, NL | May 18, 2010 at 01:20 AM
Congratulations Cash! I'm so proud of you & it's amazing to me how wonderful of a student you are. I'm so glad that you were given this opportunity!! Thank you RDR for giving him this to Cash & to the trainer who gave him so much time to achieve this goal.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | May 17, 2010 at 10:14 PM
What a wonderful boy Cash is...you can tell he just is loving life and all it has to offer. He is definitely an ambassador for not only blind horses, but all animals with disabilites. Cash just proves what you and Alayne have been saying all along...they don't know they are disabled! Thanks for the update and wonderful pictures.
Posted by: Ann | May 17, 2010 at 09:35 PM
I agree with Ginger.
Cash is comfortable waiting and listening for more instructions because he feels safe and can trust the people with him.
I wish you great happiness in New Hampshire Cash!!!
Posted by: Chloe | May 17, 2010 at 08:44 PM
He is wonderful! I hope you are able to ride him often - I'm sure he enjoys it!
Posted by: Suzanne | May 17, 2010 at 03:09 PM
Will must be one patient and perceptive fellow! Great success story on Cash! I hope Cash's story gets out there to let scores of folks know that a blind horse can still live a rich, useful, happy life!
Posted by: Lisa Koch | May 17, 2010 at 02:00 PM
I'm just curious...because Alayne is so busy with the ranch on chores etc. how much riding time with Cash will she get in NH? Would it be in Cash's best interest to let him stay on with the trainer (if he wants him) where he could be ridden more and someone who can use Cash a lot more? Seems that Cash's life would be enriched being ridden by and living with the trainer. Just a thought.
Posted by: Miranda | May 17, 2010 at 12:27 PM
It is obvious to me that Cash is a confident young horse because he has always been treated well at home with you all at RDR. No wonder he is such a willing learner. Alayne, you 2 look great together. What a wonderful reward for all of your loving hard work to be riding such a lovely horse. Enjoy you 2.
Posted by: Ev | May 17, 2010 at 12:25 PM
Beautiful pictures of Cash, Alayne, Will and of course the wonderful scenery - great story of Cash being so confident and so happy. Congratulations on your work with him,all!
Posted by: Angela | May 17, 2010 at 11:38 AM
I bet Will is going to miss Cash. Thank you Will for your work. And good job Cash, I'm so proud of you!!!
I was thinking that it would be kind to let someone else have a shot at winning the money in the contest. There are so many organizations out there that do wonderful work and while I surely love and will always support RDR, it would be nice to see a struggling "pound" win, don't you think???
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | May 17, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Cash is awesome!! Hard to believe that's the same LITTLE colt you had not so long ago - what a great guy!
With all you do for the animals, the very least I can do is click in my votes... so sitting out or not, I'm still voting.
Posted by: Kenna | May 17, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Cash is an amazing horse and his training is incredible. I hope he'll continue to use what he has learned when he reaches New Hampshire, and I hope he can show how much blind horses are capable of doing when given a chance.
I'll bet Will is going to miss him!
Posted by: Linda | May 17, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Cash has grown up to be a beautiful, smart horse. If only others would give "handicapped" horses a chance!
Posted by: Suzanne | May 17, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Really enjoyed this update on Cash, what a handsome and amazing horse he is. The last picture is simply timeless!
You know we'd vote every day of the year if possible for the shelter but understand your thoughts on this and wish RDR a safe transition to your new gorgeous home.
Posted by: Sasha in MN | May 17, 2010 at 10:16 AM
What a gorgeous horse and a true testament the disabilities should not hold anyone back!
Posted by: Susan | May 17, 2010 at 09:30 AM
Cash has certainly grown into an amazing fellow....how could have imagined this when he was so tiny? Props to Will for such an incredible transformation.....Cash will be a fantastic ambassador for bling horses everywhere.
Posted by: Debbie | May 17, 2010 at 07:58 AM
It's amazing how animals "blindly" trust the humans!
About the challenge: will it help you in any way if we do vote or would those votes just go in vain?
Posted by: Sandra | May 17, 2010 at 06:51 AM
Cash is POETRY IN MOTION!!
Smart move to sit out this next round of Shelter Challenge. Take the summer off and come back STRONG with our votes in the Fall.
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | May 17, 2010 at 03:46 AM
I think the true basis of what Cash is able to do is all the love & great care that he has gotten at the RDR. I attribute his ease of training & ability to learn to his great home life. You & Alayne have done such a wonderful job with Cash & all in your care. He's a great testimony to what can be done with love and proper care. The photos are wonderful! It's so great to see Cash be a "normal" horse!
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | May 17, 2010 at 12:34 AM