13 Sep Obituary: Trail Guide

Our Mims Retirement Haven, a nonprofit sanctuary for retired Thoroughbred broodmares in Paris, KY, sadly announces the passing of Trail Guide. The mare was euthanized due to the infirmities of old age the morning of September 13, 2018

Kentucky-bred Trail Guide was the 1987 daughter of Our Native and the fifth foal foal for Triple Bend mare Trail Ride. Trail Guide raced fifteen times with a total earnings of $9,042 on the track. She bore fifteen foals. Three of her foals earned over $100,000 on the race track; Sassy Skipper, a 2003 mare by Skip Away, earned $153,876.

The mare arrived at Our Mims Retirement Haven on November 13, 2010. She was donated to the Haven by her owner, Sarah Wells. Wells chose to send Trail Guide to the Haven because she needed the mare to retire to a secure environment.

Jeanne Mirabito, Our Mims Retirement Haven founder and farm owner recalled Trail Guide’s unusual job on the farm: “Trail has a special talent, one I’d never witnessed before. When another horse was ill, we usually knew a day or two before symptoms showed because Trail told us. She stood next to her ill friend, bringing her shoulders forward and arching her neck. We knew to call the vet. Trail was never wrong.”

Mirabito continued, “Once, we had a woman visit while the horses were outside in the pasture. Trail stood next to the lady in her ‘alert’ posture, not once, not twice, but three times. Each time I asked the lady if she felt okay. The third time, I explained Trail’s talent. A few tears fell from the woman’s eyes, and she said, ‘I am here in Lexington for a cancer screening. I guess I have it.’ I never heard from the lady again, but I think of her often.”

Mirabito said of the mare, “Trail Guide was probably the kindest horse I have ever known. We will miss her lovely, soft eyes, her incredible intuition regarding the health of her friends, and her gentle ways. As we grieve we will remind ourselves that it’s our broken hearts that hurt. Trail is free from the bondages of old age.

“Run with the wind, Trail Guide. We will listen for your hoof beats in the thunder.”

Trail Guide was buried in the Haven cemetery.

OMRH became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2006. Featured in Barbara Livingston’s More Old Friends, the Haven specializes in “restoring health and spirit in aged mares.” The Haven is supported through donations, grants, eBay auctions, and its online shop.

Our Mims Retirement Haven is accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Council. OMRH has received grants from the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA).

Current horses include Blue Viking, Dogwood Patty, Ms. Royal Flagship, Exciting Bucket, Braggin Rights, Jo Jo’s Gypsy, Play Book, Kidnap Katie, and Sweet Ambition. Our Mims’ grandson, 1997 Breeders’ Cup™ Sprint Champion Elmhurst, arrived at the Haven in October of 2011.

OMRH Web Site: https://www.OurMims.org
Press Releases: https://www.OurMims.org/news

Jeanne Mirabito: (859) 227-6304
Farm Manager, President
jeanne@ourmims.org

Cheryl Bellucci: (937) 776-1904
Director of Fund Raising and Promotion
cheryl@ourmims.org