Coal
(previously Cole)

#634 - Cole - Quarter Horse Colt. Solid Black.

New photo 4/10/02

Update 8/27/02 - Cole has been adopted!

This lucky guy will be going to his new home with Poppa Bill & Moma Joy very soon.

Bill is quite enthusiastic about Cole coming home. He has renamed him Coal and has made contact with a trainer in the area to assist with Baby School for Coal. Moma Joy has made sure that Coal will have buddies at his new home by providing a few new friends!!

We will be looking forward to pictures and updates as Bill, Coal & Joy go down the trails!!

Thank you Bill/Joy for being who you are and caring about the welfare of so many!!

Update 10/12/02 - Here is a pic of Coalie in his pen, as usual head sticking over the rail b/c he saw mom approaching. He also likes to help us remember where the food is, he's right next to the hay barn as you can see . . .

New photos 11/24/02

Update 9/27/04 - Unfortunately, Cole's adoptors had some unexpected changes in their lives and they were unable to keep this lovely boy. While he was in the care of his adoptors, he received basic training. Cole is back at TIER and is available for adoption. He will need to be started in training, but he is a very smart boy and has a nice disposition. He is a thinker, still growing, likes toys and can be mischievous. He is appx. 3 yrs old.....almost 4!! Cole is available for sponsorship & adoption.

Update 10/4/04 - Wow! What an absolute doll! This cute gelding is SO sweet! He has had some prior training, but being young he likes to test people. At first he seemed to be lazy and not impressed with much of what I did. But once he saw that I was beating him at his own pushing/shouldering in games he woke up a bit! It was like flicking a switch. His eyes became bright and his ears were forward as to say “Who the heck are you?!”

This guy is SMART! He was a blast to play with! He quickly went through the games. So quick that I was able to already start playing some of the seven games at Liberty (no halter or lead rope on him). He would just go off of my body language and I think he really enjoyed it. I loved playing with him. In fact we were able to play 5 of the 7 games at Liberty in just our first time together. He eats this type of interaction up! When I would give him the cue to come to the center and “rest” with me he would drop his head turn and trot up to me and stop at a respectable distance. He did very well for the first time working with me.

Cole’s temperament is pretty easy going but if he doesn’t understand or doesn’t like what you requested of him he gets somewhat reactive. But if you are clear and allow him to figure it out he catches on SO fast! He really does have an incredible mind! I can’t say enough good things about this little guy. I look forward to playing with him again next time I go out to see Mona.

He has a nice play drive that needs to be nurtured and allowed to grow. He’s highly curious and likes having a “job”. Cole has a great head on those beautiful shoulders of his. Not a mean bone in his body at all, he just needs some more confidence and he’s going to be incredible.

I can’t wait to go back! I will keep you all updated!

-REK

Update 10/9/04 - Cole also had a great day this past weekend!

Looking at the pictures you can see that I was able to saddle him up and ride! Since he had some previous training it was easier for me to re-introduce the saddle and riding.

I am not aware of how extensive he has been trained but I just went about it like he had never had someone sit on him. I’d rather be safe than sorry. Especially since it had been quite awhile since the last time he did carry a saddle and rider. I had him check out the saddle and pad first. When I saw him put his head under the saddle pad to try to put it on himself I knew he was fine with the saddle and pad. (So cute!)

He stood perfectly still for the saddle pad and saddle. When I mounted he was perfectly still and such a gentleman.

We were able to get into a walk and trot and attempted the canter. But since my saddle that I brought wasn’t fitting as nice as I’d like, I figured I wouldn’t push trying to get the canter. Next time I will bring a pad or use one of Gail’s so my weight isn’t pushed forward. I had to compensate for it and lean back a little farther than normal. It was all accomplished in a halter and lead rope. I used a loose one rein and was able to do some lateral flexion, hindquarter disengagement and backing up. He was great. He didn’t mind the rope being tossed over his head and he also gave a lot of effort to give me what I wanted. I think next time I am there I will take him out of the round pin and into a larger area to work on more stuff.

Cole really is an awesome guy. I enjoy working with him. He tries very hard and really is a pleasure.

More progress to come!

Update: The end of April 2005 Cole went into training/foster care with Cindy H. Cindy, a long time supporter of TIER offered to work with a TIER resident to help facilitate their adoption. As this would be the first horse that Cindy had fostered, we chose Cole as he is even tempered, intelligent and willing. Cole blossomed under Cindy’s care and she worked with her personal trainer to help Cole become the best he can be.

Enter Rebecca. Rebecca had read about SueAnne on the TIER website and sent a donation to help with her continuing cost of care after her surgeries. While visiting the website she came across Cole’s information and contacted us about adopting him. Rebecca visited with Cole and then came out for weeks to work with him and get to know him per the TIER adoption process. What a great match they make!

On 7/26/05 Cole was officially adopted by Rebecca. She was able to whisper in his ear ‘you are going home’ . Cole will spend a few months at Foster mom Cindy’s trainer’s facility to give him a stronger foundation. Congratulations Rebecca & Cole!

Update 8/1/05 - a Postcard from Cole
Well I’ve been trying to get a letter out to you for almost a week but Mom’s (I’m not sure about calling her that yet, but it seems to make her happy) email went kerflooooie until yesterday and we haven’t been able to set up my laptop in my new stall yet…

But here I am – and wow have I been busy! Mom’s enrolled me here at Uncle Steve’s Happy Camp for Horses for the summer and I really really like it! I fit right in with my new neighbors and I’m already sharing their water buckets with them just like at Cindy’s place! There’s a whole lot of activity going on here – people comin and goin and dogs and trucks and all kind of interesting things. My new stall is up on a hill so I can see everything that’s happening and I like it that way.

I slept really good my first night here and the next day Uncle Steve said something about me having a new job and sure enough he started showing me what’s what right then and there. Then Mom came out Thursday for our first real lesson together and well, let’s just say, it’s a good thing we’re both real excited cuz we have a lot of work to do! I was so excited that I couldn’t really stand still so good so Uncle Steve gave me my first challenge: trying to stand tied up for one whole hour. He thinks he’s so clever – probably didn’t think I could do it but I showed him and when my Mom came for our next lesson on Saturday – I stood stock still while they got me all gussied up for my lesson. HA – that’ll show Uncle Steve who’s the smart one here.

So our lesson on Saturday went really well – Uncle Steve said I was a star and they should make a movie about me called “Coal the Wonder Horse.” I think he wants to keep me but Mom says no way… Ah yes, its so nice to be in demand!

Mom really seems to like me a lot (she says its love at first sight, but I waiting a bit before I make that kind of commitment) and she’s always hanging out in my stall makin’ a big fuss over this and that. Uncle Steve laughs at her and says she’s babying me but you know what? I kinda like it!

So that’s my first week in a nutshell – I’m really having fun and I can’t wait for Mom to come out again – She’s coming Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:00am (and probably other times too!) and she wanted me to tell you that you should come and watch us sometimes – just don’t laugh cuz we’re still a little rough around the edges!!

Before I go, I just have to tell you how much I appreciate everything you have done for me. (Oh gosh, I’m getting teary eyed here).

Cindy – Thanks so much for letting me hang up my halter for the last couple of months – it was super fun and I enjoyed my time with you a lot – and hey, I got to meet Uncle Steve too! Your place is really comfortable and filled with love – please say hello to Penny and Fame and everyone else for me and you had better come and visit me soon!

Gail – It’s been a long road from that nasty situation up in Canada to here – I don’t know what would have become of me if you hadn’t stuck by me all this time – there were a couple of false starts, but you know what, I think I’m really gonna love my new life. Mom’s not the greatest horsewoman in the world but she sure knows how to make a pony feel good about himself. I think I’ve got a real future now and I owe it all to you. Please keep on helping horses like me – it makes the world a much much better place.

A big Shout Out to all the horses at TIER from ole Coalie himself – I’ll never forget any of you guys! I’ll be sure to keep you all posted on my road to stardom!

Lots and lots of love and kisses,
    Coalie the wonder horse.

And from Mom too – she’s beside herself with happiness!

Update January 2009 - Cole (now named Coal – but better known as Coalie, Coalie Boboli, the Coal Man and just Buddy!)  is doing GREAT!  I suppose our biggest news is that 2 years ago I bought a new house and moved the entire equine and canine population to my home.  A dream come true!!!!  It was a learning experience to be sure in the beginning - taking care of 3 horses round the clock but we are old hands now… So Coal and Flash my wonderful 24 year old Paint gelding and Blue my 22 year old paint mare all live in peaceful harmony.  Coal is like their son!

I like this one because I always feel like Coal is taking care of me out on the trail.

Me and Coalie out by the lake near our house – I’m so lucky to have found him!

I swear that Coalie has kept Flash young – the run and play together and it warms my heart!

Here we all are grazing and hanging out in the front yard!