“Ryefel”- Registered name SHF Ryefel
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In April of 1995, Ms. Hil’s dad worked for an animal feed company as a rep. He took Mrs. Rae and then 15 year old Hil with him to the Magnolia Spring Classic Arabian Horse show and auction. He did give them a bidder card, but said it was ONLY for any tack if there was something we needed. Prior to the sale, Hil and Mrs. Rae walked the barn of the fairgrounds and admired all the beautiful Arabians there. Down one aisle was a 2 year old chestnut gelding who was in his awkward stage of growing. He was all neck and legs with a tiny head and a butt so pointed he could put a hole in the wall if he backed into it. But that little scraggly gelding had an eye for Mrs. Rae, and she had an eye for him. It seemed every time Mrs. Rae walked towards his stall, he would nicker at her and come seeking her attention. When the horses came one by one for auction, some sold for thousands and some maybe one thousand. Then came the gangly 2 year old chestnut gelding with the big blaze face. Mrs. Rae immediately recognized him. His bidding began at $2,000. No bids. $1500. No bids. $1000. No bids. Until at the last moment he was now only $200. Mrs. Rae raised her bidder card in attempt to get the bidding going for the little horse. No one else bid. To this day we always said that Rye was the best $200 we ever spent. He is why we love our Arabian horses so much. Calls were made back to horse friends in Waycross to get Ryefel brought home the next day. He and Blaze didn’t hit it off well at first, but soon became inseparable. Ryefel matured into a handsome Arabian horse with a pedigree to boot!
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At 5 years old, Ms. Hil began training him under saddle. Rye never once in all his life try to buck, rear, or misbehave under saddle. He became a lesson horse at a young age that was safe for even beginners to ride. The ONLY thing he never liked was puddles or water crossings! Even if we landed dead center in the Satilla River, Rye always gave his best effort to jump over it first.
He began his working career as a therapy horse in 2006. He had a rider with a seizure disorder. One ride he suddenly stopped and we could not get him to budge. In less than a minute, his rider had a seizure. We always trusted him when he stopped with that rider so we could keep them safe. He loved butterscotch candies, Chick Fil A waffle fries, and peanut hay. He served all his clients and riders well with kindness, patience, and the most gentle spirit a horse could have.
On July 9, 2024, before the sun was up, our boy was struggling. Despite his strong heart, his body at 31 years old was tired. That afternoon, we laid our sweet, handsome, amazing Arabian boy to rest beside his best pal, Blaze. It was not at all expected. In these 29 years in our family, he knew nothing but love, care, and safety. Neriah remained with her cousin through the day and even still now at his grave. Our herd grieves. Our hearts are heavy. But if a horse could live the most perfect life, it was Ryefel.
He will be missed and never forgotten. He began our love for the Arabian breed. Please keep the Cooler family, HTF staff, HTF Helping Hands, our herd, and our clients (especially Ryefel’s following) in your prayers. Thank you Dr. Jessica Harris, Tammie, and Taylor from Trail Ridge Vet Services for your kindness today as we laid our boy to rest. Thank you Cam Baldwin for the use of a backhoe for his burial. Thank you Gary and Kathy Cox for handling his burial for Ms. Hil. And thank you all of our amazing helpers and family who came to visit Rye and help Ms. Hil today.
This is Ryefel’s Scripture.
“I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalms 121:1-8 NLT
He began his working career as a therapy horse in 2006. He had a rider with a seizure disorder. One ride he suddenly stopped and we could not get him to budge. In less than a minute, his rider had a seizure. We always trusted him when he stopped with that rider so we could keep them safe. He loved butterscotch candies, Chick Fil A waffle fries, and peanut hay. He served all his clients and riders well with kindness, patience, and the most gentle spirit a horse could have.
On July 9, 2024, before the sun was up, our boy was struggling. Despite his strong heart, his body at 31 years old was tired. That afternoon, we laid our sweet, handsome, amazing Arabian boy to rest beside his best pal, Blaze. It was not at all expected. In these 29 years in our family, he knew nothing but love, care, and safety. Neriah remained with her cousin through the day and even still now at his grave. Our herd grieves. Our hearts are heavy. But if a horse could live the most perfect life, it was Ryefel.
He will be missed and never forgotten. He began our love for the Arabian breed. Please keep the Cooler family, HTF staff, HTF Helping Hands, our herd, and our clients (especially Ryefel’s following) in your prayers. Thank you Dr. Jessica Harris, Tammie, and Taylor from Trail Ridge Vet Services for your kindness today as we laid our boy to rest. Thank you Cam Baldwin for the use of a backhoe for his burial. Thank you Gary and Kathy Cox for handling his burial for Ms. Hil. And thank you all of our amazing helpers and family who came to visit Rye and help Ms. Hil today.
This is Ryefel’s Scripture.
“I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalms 121:1-8 NLT
