COLLINS RED CODY | 12-YEAR-OLD QUARTER HORSE GELDING | ELIZABETHTOWN, KY

Collins Red Cody (“Koda” to his friends) is a striking red dun 12-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. Koda was bred in Rogersville, Ala., by David Rogers and has foundation bloodlines with Wimpy, King, and Poco Bueno in his pedigree. Currently, he lives with Shelly at Wild Rose Equestrian Center in Elizabethtown, Ky.

Koda is a sweet and snuggly boy and loves everyone from Shelly to the barn cat.

“He loves to give kisses (especially if there is a treat involved),” said Shelly. “He will stand for hours for me to groom him and love on him and just talk to him after I’ve had a bad day. He also LOVES the barn cat at the farm. The cat frequently comes and rubs on Koda’s legs, Koda will drop his head and nuzzle the cat and follow him around the barn.”

Koda is also a little mischievous and has been known to grab coats, saddle pads, and tack and throw them on the barn floor.

When it comes to work however, Koda takes his job as “Trail Horse Supreme” very seriously. Shelly said he is the ideal companion, moving his feet thoughtfully up and down embankments and braving his way through mud, water, obstacles, and any type of weather with no fear.

“He is the horse that I can trust with any of my daughter’s friends, my husband, and even anyone that has never ridden. He is calm and patient with all of his riders,” she said.

Shelly, a mother of two and emergency room nurse, recently returned to riding after several years away. She rode with friends as a child and fell back in love with horses when her daughter began taking riding lessons.

How did you find your horse? How long have you owned him/her? Tell me about the first time you met!
I found Koda on a Craigslist ad a little over two years ago. I was a beginner adult rider looking for a calm, confident trail horse that I could take lessons on. The first time I went to look at him, I knew he was the one. He was gentle and calm. However, he much preferred to eat than to ride at that time.

“It took about a year of lessons before I was confident enough to seek out a horse of my own. Now, I cant imagine not having horses in my life. They provide enjoyment and comfort daily!” she said.

Koda, who Shelly describes as a “blessing,” isn’t ready to compete yet, but they hope to train for trail and obstacle classes soon.

Besides cookies, Koda is a huge fan of apples.

“I feel like everyday that I get to spend time with Koda is my favorite, he is always such a comfort to my crazy schedule,” she said. “But recently, the best moment was after I hadn’t been able to see him for a few days due to work and life, when I went to the pasture gate and called him, he perked up his ears and came trotting all the way from the other side of the pasture to me! Made my heart melt.”