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Second Chances By Kevin Thomas
Chiron Quarter Horse Farm works to match people and horses
Visiting the Chiron Quarter Horse Farm offers the sights and sounds Nicole, was one day as she contemplated the state of affairs of the “family horse” comcommon to most rural Mo., homesteads. In Greek Mythology, Chiron was the munity. wisest and most just if not most human of all centaurs. Imbued with superior knowledge “I got real emotional,” she said. “I wanted another horse. But…” remembered Nicole, of medicine, music and archery skills among a long list of superior abilities, Chiron was and that’s a very important ‘but’ in gaining a real understanding of the why and how the mythological mentor and trainer of Achilles and Hercules, Ajax, Jason, Perseus and Mitch and Nicole became inspired to establish Chiron Quarter Horses. Aeneas among others. “The process of a horse is tough,” said Nicole. “We chose Chiron as a symbol for our farm because we hope to impart our own wis“It’s hard to trust people,” Nichole said of finding her next horse. “I was going to be dom through our training program, but more importantly, we want our horses to provide kind of picky.” us with their wisdom as well. In terms of our rescue program, our greatest hope is to While working through that “picky” process Nicole became more aware of the people provide healing to the horses that come into our care as they heal us in so many different rescuing horses, ways,” stated Nicole Schupp, who along with husband Mitch own the Chiron Quarter “So, I started looking into that,” she said. Horse Farm. In her research, Nicole she came across how, “these two gals managed to get in with a The Chiron Quarter Horse farm has three Quarter Horses that are part of their breed- buyer at a kill pen in Kansas.” That person allowed the ladies to buy a certain number of ing program. horses from him for the price he would get selling them for slaughter. The ladies posted Mitch noted Chiron began as a Quarter Horse breeding program. Both Mitch and Ni- weekly about the horses they rescued on social media to try and find them new owners. cole talked vividly about the Quarter Horse as “America’s breed” and their love of them “We get theses horses and they’re sick and they may not make it,” Mitch said. “And for what “fantastic all around animals” they are. But when their passion for some don’t. The only chance these horses have in life is…we get that horse home. rescue horses developed they began to save other breeds as well. Train it. And give it a second chance.” “They’re like people, ya know. It doesn’t matter what color they are, or Mitch and Nicole became dedicated to spending the necessary time to get their what size they are. We don’t discriminate,” said Mitch. charges healthy and trained to be solid family horses. Growing up outside of Chicago, Nicole never believed her dreams of owning Mitch related the reality was as their family began to grow he and Nicole nata place where she could raise horses would ever come true. And then she met Walnut urally began to consider their world differently. The result was that when they Mitch. After she tragically and suddenly lost her “heart horse,” reflected Nicole. Shade, Mo. decided it was time to grow the farm. Along with considering what grow“I really was not ready for another horse.” ing their family farm meant they began to really focus on the idea of famiAfter a time, Nicole was able to deal with her loss. The long story short, said ly-friendly horses.
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Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
