It’s always in the final chapter when “Happily Ever After” really does come true!

We at Red Bucket love all of our horses. That is a fact. Sometimes a horse has such a huge personality, and leaves such an indelible imprint on all who meet and handle him, that adjectives fail us and we all just say, “Wow! That horse is really something!” Such a horse is Jax, a big, beautiful Palomino show horse with lots of chrome that came into our care and with whom we all fell in love. Susan Peirce calls him “every woman’s dream horse”, and who can possibly disagree?

Jax came to us through a dear friend of “The Ranch the Horses Own.” He only asks us to take in horses that really need immediate help, and as always, we make room for just one more and welcome the new horse into the family. The horse finds a soft place to land, security, dignity, a whole new family and all the love and attention that he (or she) could possibly want.

Our Jax was an ex-show horse. He worked hard and was shown for many years, but then a turn of circumstance left him standing in a training barn all alone when his owner left for college. He then had a second career as a lesson horse. Then arthritis overcame him and rendered him unable to jump anymore, and so his career came to an end. Even though his mind remained sharp and his attitude congenial, he wanted to please people so badly but he found himself no longer of any use to anybody. He got his second chance when Red Bucket was alerted to his situation.

Everyone agrees that this horse was an absolute delight from day one; he showed extreme gratitude for all the love and attention, food and treats, and absolutely adored all of his new friends.

Jenon Mathes recalls Jax’s time with us with great fondness. She describes him as always a perfect gentleman, a very willing “school master” type of horse that was totally accommodating and willing to guide even the most uncertain rider through all phases of riding. If the rider gave an incorrect aid or seemed confused at all, he would continue with the session as if saying, “Here, let me just show you the best way to do this,” and the ride would continue. He dealt with every issue that came up in his daily life at the Ranch with the calm demeanor of a wise older gentleman, his eye always soft and kind…but always on the lookout for his next candy cane! How he loved his candy canes. This fine fellow could hold a candy cane between his lips, just so, and slowly savor it, much to the delight of all of the Red Riding Hoods that cared for him. Jax was the class clown, canoodling with his buddies and giving all of us the occasional quizzical look that seemed to say, “May I please show you how to do that correctly?”

Enter Jax’s wonderful new adopter, Julia Feldes, who immediately fell in love with this gentle, sweet, beautiful horse. She was looking for a horse exactly like him, who could be gently ridden by her family, and showered with love and attention and constant assurances that this family would never leave him. Jax is not a youngster, he is in his early twenties, but that does not matter at all to his adoring forever family.

Julia adopted Jax two years ago this past July, and she still gushes about how seasoned and gentle he is. Julia’s family had a very skittish mare with whom Jax fell completely in love. He adored her. One day she spooked and ran away, and what did Jax do? Of course he ran after her and brought her safely home. However, sadly, his lady love passed away and he was heartbroken; completely devastated.

Enter the lovely Mia, a beautiful young off-the-track Thoroughbred mare who had never been raced and was full of youthful energy. The light in Jax’s eyes was shining once more as he took this young horse under his wing and started showing her the ropes. Julia says that he is so protective of his charge that he stands over her while she lays sleeping, ever the guardian, and does not leave her side.

Beautiful Jax is also a show off and just the tiniest bit conceited. He loves to have his picture taken, and places his legs just so to maximize his wonderfulness, but then of course wants to be paid immediately with carrots and cookies! He also loves a young girl in the neighborhood who needs a gentle, careful and thoughtful teacher to help build her confidence and make her feel secure.

He truly takes care of his family. Lucky family…and very lucky Jax!

Story by Julie Shields