Zip of Gin aka "Abbi" 1997 AQHA Chestnut Mare |
At age 2 she got her initial training from Dean Hodges, then went to live with her new owner Nancee Evkovich of Susanville. As Nancee's pride and joy, Abbi's training was continued and enhanced by Jennifer Jackson of Standish. Abbi and Jenni competed in Western Pleasure and Trail, winning many circuits with the Honey Lake Valley Riders |
Abbi was injured in a pasture accident which left a front knee permanently crippled so she became a happy pasture ornamment. When Nancee suffered from poor health and passed away in 2010, Abbi came back to live with me. |
Abbi's weak knee slowly bowed with arthritis and forced too much weight onto her opposing leg. Her weight-bearing front hoof suffered from laminitis, then the hind feet also foundered serially from rocking her weight backward. Soft-ride boots and Bute kept her functioning for another year but soon it was apparent that her prognosis offered nothing but continued pain. |
Abbi's last day: February 2, 2011 |
Abbi got her barn name based upon her quirky personality. She was really an individual, often too smart and always wanted things her way. She would be pushy if she could get away with it. We started making jokes based on Mel Brooks' movie "Young Frankenstein" that went like this: Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Would you mind telling me whose brain I DID put in? Igor: Then you won't be angry? Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: I will NOT be angry. Igor: Abby someone. Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [pause, then] Abby someone. Abby who? Igor: Abby... Normal. Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [pause, then] Abby Normal? Igor: I'm almost sure that was the name. Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Are you saying that I put an abnormal brain into a seven and a half foot long, fifty-four inch wide GORILLA? And since she was Abbi-normal and something of a monster brat at the time, that became her name! |