BY DANI SCHNEIDER

Many equestrians dream of being able to give their horses a forever home. For Lori Judd, that dream is a reality. “I know when I buy a horse that I am going to keep them through the end of their life,” Lori Judd shared. 

In 1999, Judd purchased Calypso, an eight-year-old Thoroughbred gelding who was too slow to race. Throughout their career, Calypso and Judd competed in the Adult Hunters and Medals. 21 years later, Calypso is happily retired in Moorpark, California. 

Ten years later, in 2009, Judd purchased her Selle Francais gelding, Pino. Pino and Judd have been partners for 11 years, having a successful career in the jumper ring. He is now retired with her other gelding in Moorpark, California.

“It has always been my plan to support my horses through their retirement,” Judd commented. Judd has been riding horses for 30 years, and wants to give her horses the best care and life she can possibly offer. “I have had two horses that I passed along to other people because they were not happy with the situation I was able to offer them,” Judd shared, “for the horses’ happiness, he was going to be better off with someone else that could offer him a bigger stall and paddock.”

Judd shared her philosophy of horse ownership, “They work so hard, and we ask so much of them. I want to be able to give them the best retirement they can have; all the supplements and medication needed, injections, anything they need.”

“The horses are not any less valuable because they aren’t working anymore,” Judd shared. Pino goes out in the turnout daily, and the two enjoy trail rides together. Calypso, now 29 years old, is unable to be ridden, but enjoys daily turnouts where he runs, bucks, and plays like he’s a baby again. “Calypso likes to be involved in all the activities,” Judd said. “He is such a people motivated horse. He would not do well in a pasture. He would rather watch cars drive up the barn driveway all day, have people brush him, give him treats and tell him he is a good boy than be with a herd of horses in a paddock.”

For Judd, enjoying her horses in their retirement is as important as their years showing together. “I want to take care of them the best way they need to be taken care of, they deserve it,” Judd concluded. She embodies the responsibility that equestrians take on when they decide to purchase a horse of their own.