(04/05/10) Faith Haven Apartments (Duluth, MN)

4/5/10 Outreach Visit to Faith Haven Apartments in Duluth, MN

A 12 story hi-rise was the scene of this outreach visit and for Magic, a ride in a padded freight elevator to the basement. 7:00 PM, 75 seniors, who willingly missed their favorite show, Dancing with the Stars, were waiting anxiously to hear WindChill’s story and greet Magic. They had lots of farm stories and questions about the little horse coming to visit them.

What a warm hearted crowd. After we set up the projector and screen, Gramma Carole, Betty W. and I walked among the crowd, talking to them. I first went into the kitchen because I knew that would be Magic’s first stop. I told the 4 ladies how Magic always finds her to way to the kitchen. Right away the question was,” Can we give her a carrot or a cookie?” And the answer, “No. She will be getting her treats after the program in her trailer.” I then told them how Magic was at the Mariner Mall last Sat. shopping for a pink halter. They did not believe me. I whipped out the photos I had copied and they were very surprised. One woman asked if she could keep one the photos and I gave it to her.

Later on when Magic was brought in, the 4 kitchen ladies were all sitting at a table blocking the kitchen doors. Magic really wanted in there. I said, “Wow security is tight here Magic. You are not getting in there.” The ladies laughed and said she could come in if she wanted too. (They did send home some sugar cubes and a chocolate éclair for a bedtime snack for Magic.) They also asked why she was not wearing her new pink halter. I had to tell them her name is being embroidered on it.

One gentleman worked at a slaughter house here in Duluth. I listened to him intently as he told me how the horses were put down, how they sensed what was going to happen, and where the meat was shipped too, etc. He told me how he had to put down many pretty horses. He only worked there for 2 years. It finally got to him. He also is very concerned with the slaughter of mustangs out West.

Another man talked about his sisters and brothers being pulled in a toboggan by the horses. One day down a slight incline, the toboggan went too fast and the four of them all ended upside down between the horse’s legs with the toboggan on top of them. The horse did not move. He said they got a good talking to by their dad on how lucky they were to be alive.

One person asked what the difference was between a miniature and a pony. One man grew up with horses “but none were as small as Magic.”

Most of the people who had horses on the farm did not think of them as pets. They all said they were working horses.

One woman talked about a horse in her neighbor’s field to whom she brought an apple to every day. That horse was in the same spot everyday waiting for her.

Again Magic was cool and calm as she was startled by a walker running into her and at the same time a pat on her butt. She handled it and things went smoothly.

One lady asked if Magic was blind. We said no. She asked why the hair in front, (her forelock) is so long. She did say Magic’s coat was silky soft. One other person asked if Magic was going to damage the linoleum floor. We looked. NO HOOF PRINTS IN THE LINOLEUM. Magic must be one dainty lady with her 220 lbs.

We were asked what we do if she has an accident. Our reply, “We don’t know. She hasn’t had one yet.”

One grandmother wanted to bring her grandson to our presentation but this was just for seniors. I asked if he went to school. He was only 3. I said when he does go to school, give me a call and gave her a card. As she took the card she asked if she could bring her 3 year old grandson out to out to The Magic Ranch.

The Seniors clapped when I was done. They clapped when I introduced swho rescued WindChill. (She turned beat red). They clapped when Magic came in and clapped when Magic left. They clapped and waved when we left after clean up. It was a very receptive crowd.

They had a photographer there taking pictures. Kathi BEAMED when she saw the photographer’s great pictures made into 2 photo collages. She made these for The Legacy. Of course Magic was the star and had the biggest head shot in the middle of the collages.

Well Magic got the last laugh on Kathi and so did the 75 seniors. Kathi was ready to leave and Magic was not. She felt the love in that room and planted her feet. Kathi pulled…no go. Kathi planted her feet and pulled….Magic no go…Laughter from the 75 seniors just fed Magic’s ego. Even Kathi was laughing but Magic is a very smart lady. She knew Kathi’s limit of patience and just when to move those feet. She even turned her head to look back at the crowd to accept the applause from her adoring fans.