All of the horses used by the 2nd Regiment Continental Light Dragoons are rescued animals who would have been abandoned, or worse, if not for the efforts of the members of Sheldon’s Horse, 2nd Continental Light Dragoons. Needless to say, the boarding costs, veterinary fees and event transport costs constitute great expense, which periodic event fees do not even begin to cover. How can you help? Please read the stories of when and how our four-legged companions became part of the regiment, and then give what you can, either today or by sending a check with your tax-deductible charitable donation to the address at the bottom of the page.
Thank you!
The Stories of the 2LD Horses
 | PRINCE – (1986) As Sal walked through the pens at the auction house, a sickly 9-month-old colt came up and stuck his nose under Sal's arm. He wouldn't leave Sal, even though Sal had no intention of buying such a young horse. Prince was an illegal foal from the Barb bloodline, and had been fed bad hay to make him sick and/or die. Sal outbid the killer (horse meat dealer) by $5. Prince is now 24 years old, and a finer war horse would be difficult to find. |
 | JOSHUA – (1996) Originally intended as a wedding present to Carol, he and she did NOT get along well, Josh being very determined not to be ridden by a woman. Josh was very sick with "shipping fever", a condition that develops when horses are crowded together in trucks and driven long distances without proper rest, food or water. After a while, Josh was purchased by Peter Travers, and the two are a strong pair, both on the field and off. Josh is 25. |
 | CESARE – (2006) Obtained in a trade for a horse that didn't work out, Cesare had been living "wild" in a pasture for 10 months. He had no coat left, his skin was rotted, and his feet a mess. The day he came to us was 45 degrees and raining, and the poor boy was shaking from cold. He has turned into a fine war horse, pursuing the "enemy" across the field with obvious delight. Cesare is 21. |
 | ORION – (2007) A beautiful horse with wonderful bloodlines, he was owned by a woman who couldn't handle him, and who would tie him up and punish him when he didn't do exactly what she wanted the instant she wanted it. We saw him on a Sunday; he was scheduled to be put down on the following Wednesday. He has had to learn to trust people again, and is coming along quickly, although he still has his "meltdowns". Orion is 21. |
 | FIRE – (2007) Left inside a trailer that was abandoned beside the road, he was placed by the CT Animal Rescue with a couple who had another horse. Unfortunately, the man died very suddenly and the woman was not able to keep Fire. Fire had never been ridden when he came to us, so his training for the battlefield has been delayed while he learns about saddles, reins and riders. He is Mr. Curiosity, and has to know everything about anything going on around him. Fire is 8. |
 | LILY – (2007) This shy, dainty little girl came from a breed farm that was shut down by the State of Connecticut. Lily spent a year at a rescue barn, where no one worked with her other than feeding her and cleaning her stall. She was very "green" and had to learn about tack, like Fire. She has already proven how smart she is, because she started her training 8 months after Fire did, and she is now way ahead of him! Lily is 8. |
Waiting at Fiddlers' Green
 | ALADDIN – (1997) Carol's wedding present, take two. This boy was absolutely reliable and trustworthy, and was considered the "recruit horse" because of his dependability. He was a hack horse (rent by the hour), and when Carol and Sal went to try him, he gave everything he was asked for, even though he'd already been working for several hours on trail rides in 90 degree heat. He was 300 pounds underweight, and had a large thyroid tumor that made it very difficult for him to swallow his food. We lost him to colic on 23 October 2007. Laddie was 25. |
 | BEAU – (2000) Used as a therapy horse, Beau was very unhappy in his work, and showed his displeasure by nipping people. He was fitted with a thin wire bit that cut his tongue, and his mouth was strapped shut so he had no way of avoiding the punishment. He was very happy in this time with us, and loved to "come out and play" on the battlefield. Indeed, sometimes we had trouble getting him back to the picket line, because he wasn't done with the "FUN!". Beau was 23. |
Contact information
Send your tax deductible charitable donation noted for Horse Support to:
Sheldon’s Horse, Second Continental Light Dragoons (or SH2LD)
C/O Capt. Sal Tarantino
Light Horse Farm
192 Prospect Hill Road
Colchester, CT 06415-1620
Remember, EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS!
The names Second Continental Light Dragoons and Sheldon's Horse are copyright protected and the regimental device (emblem, 2nd Regt Light Dragoons) is trademark protected.
©2010 Second Continental Light Dragoons "Sheldon's Horse". All rights reserved.
|
