Horse Illustrated Magazine

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 25, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise talk with equine illustrator and author Jean Abernethy, best known for her creation of Fergus the Horse.

To end the episode, they chat with Kristine Dvonch, executive director of Horses’ Haven in Howell, Mich., about Atticus, this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse. Along with his buddies Sadie and Holly, Atticus will be traveling from Michigan to Equine Affaire Massachusetts this week to join Adoption Affaire – a barn full of ASPCA Right Horse partners with dozens of horses available for adoption.

Click to listen on mobile.

Barn Banter Episode 25 Sponsor: Adequan

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Jean Abernethy, Equine Illustrator and Author

Jean Abernethy has been making cartoons and illustrations for equestrian publications for 40 years. After graduating high school, Jean’s passion for horses drew her into an Equine Studies program at a local college. Following her studies there, she was accepted into the Ontario College of Art in Toronto where she earned her art degree, specializing in illustration. Her artwork has been published in the American Paint Horse Journal, the American Quarter Horse Journal, Horse Illustrated, Young Rider, Chrome, and many more. She is best known for her cartoon character Fergus the Horse, who has earned over 300,000 followers on Facebook and 30,000 on Instagram. Jean has written and illustrated five Fergus books and illustrated several books for other authors.

In 2018, Jean’s book Fergus and the Greener Grass won a Spur Award from Western Writers of America in the category “Storyteller/Illustrated Children’s Book.” The following year, Fergus and the Night Before Christmas received “Finalist” status in the same category. In 2019 and 2020, American Horse Publications awarded Jean’s artwork first place for “Editorial Illustration,” published in Horse Illustrated and Quarter Horse Journal. Jean Lives near Waterloo, Ontario.

◆ Fergus the Horse Website
◆ Fergus the Horse on Facebook
◆ Fergus the Horse on Instagram

Adoptable Horses of the Month: Atticus, Holly and Sadie

Atticus, Holly and Sadie are three buddies from Horses’ Haven in Michigan who are headed to Equine Affaire Massachusetts as part of Adoption Affaire, where they hope to find their forever homes.

Atticus

If you like your Quarter Horse with that classic muscular stature, Atticus is your guy. He is extremely smart, good-looking and playful, so much so that he may play with you like a pasture mate. That said, in his time with Horses’ Haven, he has used his smarts to make great improvements on learning how to live in this human world. He had OCD surgery back in April 2023 and recovered very well. He has early navicular and can have off days. He is currently under veterinary evaluation to determine if he is a good candidate for riding and may be serviceably sound for flat work only in the future. Atticus stands well for the farrier, is good for the vet, loads and trailers well, is good on the cross-ties and enjoys doing anything with people.

At this time, Atticus is being offered as a companion horse only due to inconsistent soundness.

Learn more about Atticus here.

Sadie

Sadie is an eye-catching girl that Horses’ Haven has slowly been getting to know. She came into their care after being sent through an auction and then rescued by an individual. This individual exhausted their resources trying to help Sadie and her soundness issues. With time, HH’s team of vets and excellent farrier work, Sadie has proved to be pasture sound and now even serviceably sound for light riding. She does require shoes and has done best on a daily dose of Equioxx.

The organization’s trainers are just getting to know her under saddle, but she seems to have had good and basic training. On the ground, Sadie is a good girl and enjoys being groomed and loved on. However, she does bond to her pasture mates and can be a handful if separated.

Learn more about Sadie here.

Holly

Holly is a lovely mare ready to find her new home. She has been an excellent equine citizen while Horses’ Haven has gotten to know her. She enjoys being groomed and has been a pleasure to ride. Under saddle, she has been more whoa than go and might be a great candidate for some leisurely arena work or even some trail riding. She has been an uncomplicated ride so far and appears to have had basic training. An experienced rider or advanced beginner working with a trainer should be able to enjoy all this girl has to offer.

Holly is up to date on all of her dental and vet care. She is a good girl for farrier work and is currently barefoot. She can’t wait to start the next chapter of her life getting to know a new family!

Learn more about Holly here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 25, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.