Greener Pastures

Foxwin Homesteader
March 30, 1976-October 18, 2005
His name evokes thought of contentment, Peace, safety and love. And he was all of that. He was one of Foxwin Farms first crop of babies and was famous for his antics as a youngster. Pat called him "Zeke". She remembers a summer morning at the barn, after all the horses had been taken out to pasture, hearing some very loud snoring. She followed the sound to "Zeke's" stall, to find him sleeping flat out, cool as a cucumber. Mind you, he had somehow slipped through two gates to get there!

He came to me as a four year old and by then his name was "Foxy". We were both green, yet he took care of me from the beginning. What should have been frightening for him, was routine. Chain saws and wood splitters, fire engines with sirens and lights. high bridges with steel decks. He was non-plussed! His very first drive down our gravel road met with the local volunteer fire department trucks racing to a fire, dust flying, lights flashing and siren blowing. Foxy didn't bat an eye, walked on toward the melee, and they passed without incident.

That was my first inkling of the kind of steady horse I was lucky to have! My husband always said, "Foxy doesn't know he's a horse!" But oh, what a beautiful equine partner he was. He was a big western working type Morgan, brilliant chestnut color, with a wonderful presence.

My "copper penny" chestnut took me down quiet trails at home. at Otter Creek and Brookfield. We camped on the wild side, driving into the Cold River Wilderness area - the only horse to pull a cart over Mud Mountain, carrying our gear. he never refused to go anywhere, at any time and we trusted each other completely. He was the first horse over a bridge or through water, giving confidence to the reluctant horses behind him. We logged plenty of miles and lots of camping experiences with my best friends and riding buddies, Jonie and Lori. His manners were impeccable, never a cross moment, never a kick or bite, to human or horse.

I am sure this was from his early training at Foxwin Farm. His ears were always forward, eager for the next adventure.

And he was a grand competitor. A champion at Caernarvon Park Driving Show, and blue ribbon marathon winner at Lorenzo Driving Competition. I have fond memories of my mom and I riving along the Lorenzo marathon course, chatting, laughing, enjoying the scenery and occasionally checking our time. Surprise! Foxy won! he even graced the cover of Horse Bits Magazine, hooked to his road cart and negotiating the marathon course at Barneveld.

And he was a teacher. He gave young children their first pony ride, and gave confidence to a friend who had a horrible equine accident many years before. She now owns two Morgans, and credits Foxy for the joy of horses in her life again.

Foxy was my "once in a lifetime" horse. When he was retired, I was frustrated in my efforts to find another horse with his qualities, and I went through buying and selling three horses. I have now realized that there will never be another Foxy. He shared his kind and gentle spirit with me fro twenty-six years and I was blessed.

I loved him with all my heart and miss him terribly. He is laid to rest in the place where he always stood to greet me with his soft morning nickers. I will be forever grateful to Pat, Dave and Ethel for giving me a lifetime of happiness with my beautiful Foxwin Homesteader.
- Pat Reynolds

FOXWIN SYMPHONY (BEAUTY)
April 6, 2006 – July 21, 2007 (Foxwin Jericho x Bishopstone Virginia Sky)

All of us at Foxwin Farm mourn the loss of our Foxwin Symphony, due to complications of PHF. In her short life she endeared herself to all, with her sweet, intelligent nature and true Morgan beauty. She was given the barn name “Beauty” by one of our youngest riders, Marshall Tryon. We had great hopes and aspirations for her, as a future Sport Morgan and friend for a lucky human partner.

We are left with fond memories, and the knowledge that for every day of her life she was loved and cared for, which is our wish for every horse of every age.

Our sincere thanks go to the staff at Cornell University, and especially to Dr. Dominic Dawson for her tireless efforts and compassion for our “Beauty”.

“Beauty” is survived by her two full siblings, Foxwin Sunrise and Foxwin Sherman, as well as her sire and dam. And so, the dream goes on…