We do everything we can to keep our horses comfortable in their work as long as possible. From Glucosamine supplements to stalls outfitted with start of the art flooring, NCEFT makes sure our older equines are well equipped. However, no amount of loving care can stop the steady progression of time and the aches and pains that come with age. Earlier this year we decided that, at 20 years old, Boon was ready to enjoy the retirement he had earned.
Born in White Swan, Washington on May 8th, 1991, Grey Billy Boon was the son of Boon Bars Best and out of a mare named Duster Suzy. As a 5 year old he was sold to Frank and Charlot Beard of Ellensburg, Washington. Owners of the Beard Rodeo Company, Frank and Charlot founded the Company in 1973, providing bucking bulls and horses for local rodeos. Their stock have made appearances at some of the nation’s greatest rodeos, including the PRCA Finals and 17 consecutive years at the National Finals Rodeo. We’re guessing that Boon was some kind of ranch horse, helping to move bucking stock and working the 160-acre Naneum Road ranch.
In 2001 at the age of 10, Boon was sold to the Montana based Dearborn Ranch for a sum of $12,500. It was there he met up with future NCEFT therapy horses Jazzy and Cody. Six years later the 3 of them were headed for California and their new careers at NCEFT.
Boon spent the next 4 years as a full-fledged therapy horse. From lined Hippotherapy to off-lead Therapeutic riding, he was both versatile and dependable. Then Boon started to slow down a bit, taking longer to warm up his often creaky joints and having difficulty managing steep hills. We knew it was getting to be time for Boon to enter retirement. The thing was, Boon didn’t want to retire. He loved daily attention from staff and was happiest when surrounded by at least a handful of adoring fans. By a wonderful set of coincidences NCEFT happened to become connected with the Veterinary Technician program at nearby Foothill College. They were looking for a patient horse to help teach students proper handling techniques, and Boon seemed like the perfect fit.
Boon is now a proud member of the Foothill College Family, sharing an expansive paddock with some friendly goats and sheep. We received a card the other week from the new students with what must be nearly 50 signatures, all thanking us for sharing our fantastic horse. NCEFT is not only thrilled to have found such a great home, but proud to be able to help out a program working to help train the people who keep our horses healthy. We’re so often the ones on the receiving end of generosity, we’re thrilled to be able to pay it forward.
