Pete's Story

                    "Longshot Pete" is a 31-year-old , sorrel, one-eyed Thoroughbred gelding

   “Sweet Pete” is exactly that! The most sweet, trusting, and kind-hearted, one eyed, Thoroughbred!

Pete was born and raised in Florida on March 17, 1992.  He had a racing career with 7 starts and won a total of $406.

  Janice rescued Pete in Florida in 1999. He is very special, our first (of many) rescued horses.

He was previously sold to a couple who were not patient with him, to say the least. Pete was tied to be saddled, he pulled back hard, flipped himself over, and they got mad. To escape the beating they were laying into him, Pete broke loose and ran through a barb wire fence. Pete had lacerations all over his body. His previous owner (who sold him to this couple) contacted Janice and of course she 

stepped in and brought him home to rehabilitate. Pete was finally safe, in his Forever home! 

His wounds took months to heal. The trauma he has endured from his racetrack life and after the track has stuck with him. He has scars of thermocautery (“pin firing”) on his front legs (a treatment common in racehorses with lower limb injuries to try to extend their racing career). We were told that Pete had to have his left eye removed after his fly mask got stuck on a bungee cord which snapped 

and damaged his eye to such an extent that enucleation was the only option. 

  In rehabilitating Pete, we quickly learned that he needs gentle understanding when saddling as well. Pete cannot be tied to saddle, he must be able to walk (fast) and move his feet (for a horse, a prey animal, this lets him know he is not trapped and is able to “get away” from danger). 

   With understanding, patience, years of proper groundwork, Pete became a whole new horse in his new life with Lucky Star Equine. Pete had a very successful career as a schooling and show horse for many years in our program! He even loved to jump in his younger years! Pete has taught us all a lot over the years and to see the trust he has in us is the greatest reward! Pete is VERY loved by all!

   He may be 31 years old but once a racehorse, always a racehorse! He enjoys his daily turnout with his pals and lopes circles around them the whole time, only stopping for a few minutes of back scratching before he is “off to the races” again! Pete is thriving in his retirement with his “wife” Bandita. He loves his daily turn outs and stretches for his favorite treat, peppermints! 

                                  May we all age as well as our Longshot Pete!

In Loving memory of Longshot Pete,

Pete suffered a very unexpected seizure on Feb 15, 2024. 

He is now with our “herd in Heaven” but his

memory and legacy will live on, Forever, in hearts!