Martha Adams (my friend and co-worker at Dogwood Farm in
Jacksonville) had been asking me to keep an eye out for a horse and I've been looking for
about two years. I know the type she likes - big with a beautiful head and thick neck! Percheron cross was what I was looking for.
I found one, a black bay mare that was at a farm near where we live. We learned about her through my sister's friend. I sent Martha pictures and she was very interested, Molly was just her type. Martha didn't make a decision and about a month later, the mare had a foal! No one knew she was pregnant!
My sister's friend had recently become the farm manager at a 500 acre farm in Social Circle, GA that was breeding Cleveland Bays. They have become 
VERY rare and the farm is committed to helping preserve the breed.
Anyway, sometime before Jess came to work at the farm, a stallion obviously got loose and obviously bred this mare.
As the story goes, "Molly" didn't come up one morning for breakfast (she lived in a large pasture of about 100 acres), and Jess went looking for her and found her at the farthest point of the pasture in a shaded area with a newborn colt! Actually a very pretty newborn colt.
So, the horse was not available until after the foal was weaned. Martha waited (impatiently) and after the weaning was complete, we went over to see the mare and have my niece ride her to see if she would be a good trail horse for Martha. Although she had been a broodmare for about 5 years and had not had a lot of time under saddle, her temperament was so calm and sweet, I thought she would have a lot of potential for Martha.
Long story short - we delivered Molly to Martha last weekend and it was love at first sight! Martha and Molly definitely "clicked" and their first few days proved to be the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
Her neighbors are also in love with this horse and other friends from across town have also been over to share in the joy and excitment. Only minutes off the trailer...she was so calm!!! It was amazing.
By Sherry Smith, DogwoodSportHorses.com
Newsroom Associate
Staff Writer
support@horsesinthesouth.com