The Beginning Of The Ride.....
June 2009.....
Lulu
The ride began in the June of 2009 at an auction in Shipshewana, Indiana. Gail Vacca, founder and president of the Illinois Equine Humane Center (http://www.ilehc.org), was at the auction looking for any thoroughbreds that may have come from the tracks in Illinois when she spotted a smallish bay mare that was in obvious discomfort from being severely lame in both front feet. Unfortunately the mare was already in a "kill pen" just waiting to be loaded onto a trailer for the grueling ride to slaughter in Canada. Gail approached the buyer, who insisted that he had no horses she would be interested in. Knowing better, Gail was able to get into the pen and see that the mare did indeed have an identifying tattoo under her lip. Gail convinced the buyer to sell the mare to her with the intent to spare the horse the ride to slaughter on her bad feet. It's a horrific enough trip on a healthy and sound horse, let alone one that could barely stand.
Upon arriving at the ILEHC, the mare was thoroughly evaluated by a kind veterinarian who found a variety of issues with her feet that were causing the lameness. To complicate matters, the mare's tattoo was partially obscured by a dark spot on the underside of her lip, making it impossible to read the complete tattoo. Several attempts to positively identify her failed and Gail began to call the mare Lulu.
Upon arriving at the ILEHC, the mare was thoroughly evaluated by a kind veterinarian who found a variety of issues with her feet that were causing the lameness. To complicate matters, the mare's tattoo was partially obscured by a dark spot on the underside of her lip, making it impossible to read the complete tattoo. Several attempts to positively identify her failed and Gail began to call the mare Lulu.
Summer 2009.....
Lulu and Taxi
Shortly thereafter, it was discovered that Gail had not come home with only one horse that day....Lulu was expecting! After consulting with the vet, it was determined that with the aid of specially fitted shoes, Lulu just might be able to comfortably carry the foal to full term. It was worth a shot - as long as Lulu was not suffering or in any pain. At the first sign of any discomfort, the right decision would be made.
After some spending the first few months at the Center, Gail sent a very pregnant Lulu to a foster farm so that she could finish out her pregnancy in a quiet environment and get plenty of rest. She adapted quite well and the special shoes seemed to be working very well for her. On April 15th, 2010, Gail received word that Lulu had given birth to a healthy dark bay colt and both were doing very well.
Taxi (as he was born on tax day!) and Lulu spent the first three months on the foster farm but, as Taxi grew, mother and son came back to reside at the ILEHC. Gail marveled at how beautiful little Taxi was and what great conformation he had. She decided that she just had to find out who Lulu really was and who she had been bred to produce such an eye-catching colt. The search was on again!
After some spending the first few months at the Center, Gail sent a very pregnant Lulu to a foster farm so that she could finish out her pregnancy in a quiet environment and get plenty of rest. She adapted quite well and the special shoes seemed to be working very well for her. On April 15th, 2010, Gail received word that Lulu had given birth to a healthy dark bay colt and both were doing very well.
Taxi (as he was born on tax day!) and Lulu spent the first three months on the foster farm but, as Taxi grew, mother and son came back to reside at the ILEHC. Gail marveled at how beautiful little Taxi was and what great conformation he had. She decided that she just had to find out who Lulu really was and who she had been bred to produce such an eye-catching colt. The search was on again!
Spring 2010......
Lulu and Taxi
The renewed effort finally led Gail to a small time breeder in Indiana who identified Lulu as Silver Option, a 13-year-old mare who had raced but only twice in New York - and not very enthusiastically at that. The breeder explained that Lulu had been bred to a Kentucky stallion and initially was thought to be carrying twin foals. In order to decrease the likelihood of complications as well as to increase the chance of having at least one foal survive, one foal had been "pinched". Upon examination by a vet, it was believed that Lulu had lost both foals. It was then the breeder told his assistant to just "get rid of" the horse - which is how she came to be sold for slaughter at the Shipshewana auction. Gail asked which Kentucky stallion Lulu had been bred to and the man replied "Magna Graduate". THE Magna Graduate. Seven time graded stakes winner, earnings of over $2.5 MILLION, second in the Dubai World Cup, currently standing at the storied Darby Dan farm. THAT Magna Graduate. This certainly explained the little guy's good looks and athleticism!
