2008 Love Your Horse Senior Horse Photo Contest Winners

Bandit took off galloping, throwing snow with each step, his flaxen mane and tail flying! It was hard to imagine that in the spring, the chestnut gelding would be thirty.

His birth had been a bit of a disappointment to his owner, who had hoped for a big colt with little or no white. But Bandito had a wide blaze and white over the side of his face-thus the name! No breeding stallion this day!

The owner kept Bandit, had him gelded and used him in clinics, showed him in halter and trained him to be ridden. The horse was spirited, playful and Mr. Personality-pulling halters off the wall and teasing for treats.

Bandit came to live at my farm when he was five. He was perfect for me and the best investment I ever made! Various friends showed Bandit in halter and under saddle winning time after time. The horse was little but when he went into the show ring he won the judges hearts. Bandit was trained to be ridden western and English. He handled both styles equally well. I rode him in the local show circuit and also showed him in halter. It was such a thrill hearing Bandit’s name called and going to get a ribbon!

As Bandit aged into his twenties he began losing weight and had a couple of tough winters. We had his teeth checked and they couldn’t be fixed again. He really needed to put on some weight as we wanted very much to keep using the little horse. That is when we found out about Blue Seal Vintage Senior made just for older horses. It has worked very well. Since we have been feeding it Bandit has gained weight and kept it on. He looks great and even though he can’t really eat much grass or hay he cleans up all of his Vintage Senior.

This past summer we trucked Bandit with our other horses to two Harmony Acres horse shows. He entered the ring like he was a youngster. He did great and we all enjoyed watching him prance and parade around the ring. During both shows at least a dozen people came up to me, wanting to know if that could possibly be Bandit and to say how great he looked or how much they loved seeing him in the show ring.

In closing I would have to say that the best part of Bandit’s story has to do with the little kids. So many little ones had their first horse experience on Bandit. He can tell when a child is on his back. It shows in his patience, caring and gentleness! He loves it when the children give him a pat and say Good Boy Bandit. But what he likes most is when they give him kisses and treats. We hope Bandit will be around for a whole new generation of little riders!