MAGGIE | 20 YEAR OLD NORWEGIAN FJORD | DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX
COF Magda, Maggie is a 20 year old Brown Dun Norwegian Fjord with a dorsal stripe and pangare. Maggie’s Grandsire, Grabb, was imported to the US in 1980 at the age of 19 to improve US bloodlines. At the time, he was considered by many to be the best living Fjord stallion in Norway. Maggie’s sire was bred by Clover Oak Farms. She now lives at RED Arena in Dripping Springs, Texas and is trained by Kristi Reavis.
Maggie is explained as “serious” and absolutely loves apples. In 2012 and 2013, Maggie was voted Horse of the Year (an annual contest they hold as a fundraiser and in recognition of our therapy horses’ significant contributions) for her outstanding demeanor and work tolerance as a therapy horse. In 2014 Maggie became lame on the right front and after extensive diagnostics including an MRI she was diagnosed with a partial tear of a deep hoof ligament. The prognosis was a 50/50 chance of healing in about 12 months or not at all. During that time, she was to be confined to a 30ft flat stall. After the 2nd day of calling in despair to her friends in the pasture it was decided to let her out in the pasture for the benefit of her mental health, even if it meant she would not heal enough to be ridden again. In 9 months, she was healed enough to return to light work at a walk. She is semi-retired now, working no more than 1 session per day.
Kate is the Equine Manager at RED Arena and says her love for horses set in early. She says, “It started with a birthday party in kindergarten – one of my classmates had arranged pony rides with photos. From there I was hooked! I began taking lessons soon after and have had horses in my life in some capacity ever since. I began a care lease on a friends retired mare around 11 and saved up to purchase my first horse when I was 13.” And she recommends grooming brushes with natural fiber bristles like boar hair, goat hair or horse hair.
Maggie is the best!