Tribute to a Soldier
(February 2003 - January 2012)

“Soldier”, Gab Creek Soldado (PKR Primavera Brio x Longstreet Serenata) was bred, foaled (pre-mature by 30+ days), and raised here on Gab Creek Farm. When I found him cast up on a salt block that cold February morning, I named him “Soldier” because he had to fight for his life. Dr. Ken Marcella got colostrum in him using a stallion catheter.

He spent the first 24 hours in my lap under a heat lamp and a heavy horse blanket. I would pick him up dead weight to nurse as he did not have the strength to stand. Joyce took up the dog blanket to make it small enough for him and the photo at left is when he was finally able to stand alone at three days old. His legs were all askew but he grew out of all that. When he was six months old, if I sat down in his stall, he would lay down and try to get in my lap.

I started him in the spring as a three year old and I felt like crying when I saw how much trust he had. He had natural self carriage and was lightness personified. We went through three hackamore changes and he was ready for the two-rein by