Apache Silver Moondust

Aka “Earl the Pearl”

By Julie Dillon

“Earl’s” beautiful color (a rare light pearl grey Tobiano) is what our Native Americans call a “Ghost Paint” because in the winter months these horses look white until they shed out in spring when their paint colored markings shine through.

In late October of 2014, I got a call from a stable nearby asking for an evaluation on a troubled Tennessee Walking Horse that was brought in by an elderly woman’s family. “He’s lame and vibrating with fear, and by the way, he looks just like your big white Walking Horse, ‘Music’!” The barn owner sounded bewildered and asked if I would come, talk with the horse and appraise him as his owner had left the state and needed to sell him right away. She also knew I was a sucker for a grey!

His story was very sad. During the past several years, his elderly owner had been physically abused by her husband. In addition, the step-son had spent hours terrorizing the horse in the barn by raking empty feed bags against the bars of his stall at night. It was also reported that the horse had been traumatized while being kept in an old barn with a wooden foundation. The floor eventually gave way and he fell through to the cellar below.

The owner’s children were outraged at this abuse of both their mother and her beautiful horse. They flew into the nearest airport, rescued their mother from the situation and spirited her back to her home in Tennessee. Before leaving for the airport, they insisted that her beloved horse be sequestered to a place where his safety and recovery could be assured.

The doctors had been very clear advising that their mother at the age of “seventy something” should not be tempted to ride and therefore they advised that the horse should remain behind and rehomed in New England.

The day after I got the call, I went to meet the horse and figure out how I could help. As I approached his stall door he was immediately alert, his beautiful eyes were tented and wide. He turned his gaze to me questioning and alert to my slightest motion.

At first, I just stood quietly next to him. We stood together and after a while he relaxed so we walked together through the barn into the indoor arena. My tack is small and light weight, and he was polite about allowing me to saddle and bridle him. Standing to mount was a detailed conversation, but in the end, he wanted me to know that a belly rub was an adequate bribe.

As nervous as the horse was in his stall and at the mounting block, when Apache felt my weight gently sink into the saddle, he relaxed completely and took a deep breath. That’s when I knew he was going to be okay. It was just a matter of finding his perfect person.

During that first ride, I could feel that he was slightly off on his right hind leg, but his gaits were still true. This is rare in a gaited horse of any breed that he can maintain correct timing and footfall even when unsound. It was a very short ride and he passed with flying colors, but he wasn’t ridden again until he recovered from his lameness.

The chiropractor came with the permission of the owner and within a few sessions and after weeks of quiet rest, his injury eventually healed. But now it was December. And here in New England, winter board is expensive, horse care is demanding and few folks are looking to purchase a horse during the bitter cold season which sometimes can extend well into April.

After many conversations with his owner, I agreed to take him to my barn and care for him until the spring arrived when we could showcase the gelding for a more permanent situation. By March his owner, the beautiful gelding and I all agreed that he was destined to stay with me for life. As you have already guessed, that was when he became and will forever be a “Horse Feathers” horse!

When reading his registration papers, it was clear that this horse was really something special and perhaps “Sterling” was a name to be adopted for him as he began his new life. Later, when processing his transfer, I selected a new name “Apache Silver Moondust” to reflect his legacy breeding from the “Dusty Sally” line. “Dusty Sally” was one of the purebred white Sabino Walking Horse mares that produced Tobiano offspring and therefore infused authentic “gaited color” into the Walking Horse bloodlines. And so he now answers to “Earl”, a shortened version of “Sterling” which actually perfectly fits his kind, sensitive and down to earth nature.

That first spring we attended a Gary Lane Clinic together where Earl proceeded to spin under me in circles around the arena while the other participating horse and rider teams made more impressive progress. Gary advised that maybe I shouldn’t keep the horse to which I replied that he was going to be just fine because I had good feeling about him.

Well maybe the arena isn’t his favorite place, but I discovered that the open trail is Earl’s bliss! He joyfully glides through the forest, over hills and through rivers and creeks. His talent and skill as a brave leader has directed our activities as each summer he becomes more and more happy in his new life.

I could have searched for years and never found one of his caliber. He truly is a gift from the Heavens. It was as if he fell from the skies into my heart. Since that day, he continues to promote the Tennessee Walking Horse by carrying many new and beginner riders on their first gaited “glide ride” experience!

Up until her passing, we sent regular photos and videos of our adventures to his “first mom” to assure her that he was always loved, cared for, safe and happy. She never liked the name Earl but continued to kindly overlook this one, odd little concession of mine. I will always and forever be grateful to “Miss Jackie” for trusting me with this rare and beautiful gift of a horse! I believe she still watches us from above while as we joyfully explore the countryside where ever we may wander.

This story originally appeared on Julie Dillon’s Facebook page.