Jaffa’s Justice – a heartwarming story from Trauma to Triumph

Sometimes we find a horse and sometimes they find us. This is the story of Nichola and Jaffa. They were destined to meet with love at first sight. Are you ready to read this article about a special horse with a special owner?

Jaffa arrives in April 2017

In April 2017 Nichola received a phone call asking for help and so found herself unloading a batch of unruly racehorses recently dispatched from Ireland and intended for rehoming. Nichola wasn’t looking for another horse and certainly not a thoroughbred. She knew ex-racers could have behavioral and soundness issues but hadn’t counted on meeting Jaffa.

Jaffa’s Breeding

This thoroughbred raced as Snap Bach. At 8 years he stood 16.2 hands high and at this stage wasn’t impressive. However, his stable name of Jaffa The Ginger Prince certainly eluded to his colour.

When eyes first Met

Jaffa was last to load in Ireland and so first off the lorry in England. He looked thin, hungry, and dehydrated with a nasty skin infection. This poor horse did possess the kindest eye and sweetest polite nature.

Despite all, Nichola and Jaffa bonded in those first few seconds. They were destined for each other.

Early Days

Every day Nichola popped down to see this horse who always trotted up to the fence for attention. Nichola decided to buy sweet Jaffa.

Retraining as a Riding Horse

Jaffa had been an unsuccessful hurdler and had always arrived at the finishing post last or thereabout. At least he had jumped cleanly, but without the heart for racing. His retraining started with learning to stand for mounting. With this problem overcome he took to being a riding horse with incredible ease.

Jaffa’s forward-thinking and sensible approach made retraining easy. He had a good mouth and his head carriage permitted him to develop a good topline. Quickly this horse transformed into an impressive looking thoroughbred of substance.

Aimed at Unaffiliated Eventing

Jaffa took to competing at 80 cm. He found the cross-country section easy with a bold approach to jumping solid obstacles. Jaffa proved to be calm at dressage but the showjumping phase needed more work. He jumped flat like all hurdlers.

In September 2019 Jaffa sustained a nasty kick to a hock. This kick penetrated his joint capsule causing infection within the joint. The normal procedure is to flush the joint out under anaesthetic and assuming there are no bone injuries this is usually highly effective.

There were Complications

Flushing the infection proved to be totally ineffective. Poor Jaffa underwent three major surgeries within three weeks and after each, his infection returned. The vet prepared Nichola for the worst and things were looking very bad indeed.

The Fourth X-ray was a Salvation

By the fourth week, all hope of saving Jaffa had evaporated. The infection remained and no cause could be identified. In desperation, the vet X-rayed for the fourth time but did not expect to find a reason for the joint infection.

Thankfully the X-ray identified a possible cause. A very small section of bone had crumbled and although this would not cause infection it could be masking the cause. In any case, the damaged bone might need to be removed for a return to soundness.

Enduring a 4th General Anesthetic and the Infection source was found

This time the surgeon found the infection source. On the point of impact, a bone had split and five hairs had been pushed in before the bone had closed over. Keyhole surgery removed the offending hairs and the infection subsided.

The Road to Recovery

In the hospital, Jaffa went from strength to strength and he made a full recovery. Nichola visited him daily and provided all the encouragement needed. She groomed Jaffa until he bloomed and later when he could walk she took him in hand to quietly graze and stretch his muscles. Nichola would sit in the hospital stable for hours and read Black Beauty. Jaffa listened intently and always rested his chin on Nichola’s head when she read.

In Nichola’s words:

“He is one of the most grateful, obliging, affectionate, and sweet-natured horses I have ever had the pleasure to own.”

In Jaffa’s thoughts:

“Nichola is the most affectionate and caring owner I could have. She is simply the best.”