Rip

Horse Details

Height

16.2hh

Colour

Bay

Age

10 years

Sex

Gelding

Status

Permanent Resident

Rider Level

Intermediate+ (Ridden strictly within Hawkez Haven under supervision; not a public lesson horse).

Identification

Registered Name

All Class AI (NZ)

Date of Birth

2016-10-12

Microchip Number

985125000091723

Disciplines

• Hawkez Haven Resident
• Groundwork
• Foundation Teacher
• Supervised Riding

Rip - The Horse That Started It All

Rip arrived at our home in August 2021 after a seven-hour journey from Upper Hutt back to Gisborne. He had been advertised simply as a "project horse," but it didn't take long to realize that Rip was so much more than that.

When he arrived, his condition told a story that words could never fully explain. He suffered from severe rain rot, brittle and neglected feet, teeth that desperately needed attention, worms, and was significantly underweight. His tailbone carried a painful infection, and overall, he was in poor condition. But perhaps the hardest wounds to see were the ones he carried inside.

Rip was troubled, insecure, and unsure of the world around him. Trust did not come easily to him.

So, we asked nothing of him.

There were no expectations. No demands. Just feed, warm rugs, gentle words, and the simple act of being present. Days were spent sitting with him, learning who he was, and allowing him to learn who we were.

It only took about a week for Rip to begin to realize that life was changing. For the first time in a long time, he was safe.

Rip soon became part of our daily life alongside our beloved horse, Turbo. The two shared our days, our routines, and our hearts. Then, exactly one year later, our world changed forever when we lost Turbo.

The grief that followed was immense.

Somewhere in the middle of that heartbreak, Rip and I found ourselves leaning on one another. We poured our grief into each other, and through that shared loss, an unbreakable bond was formed.

Rip was no longer the weak, frightened, and unwell horse that had stepped off the float in 2021. He had become strong, steady, and deeply understanding. In his own way, Rip knew grief. He understood loss, and somehow, he taught us that horses understand far more than we often give them credit for.

Rip taught me that a horse is never "just a horse."

He taught me about patience, trust, and resilience. He taught me to pay attention to the smallest changes in behavior and to recognize that horses carry emotions, memories, and experiences with them. He showed me that healing is not always physical and that sometimes the greatest gift we can give another living being is simply our time.

As difficult as losing Turbo was, Hawkez Haven would not exist without Rip.

He is the reason we do what we do.

He is the reason we look beyond the surface and ask, "What happened to you?" instead of "What's wrong with you?"

Rip is our foundation, our teacher, and the heart behind Hawkez Haven. Every horse that has walked through our gates since carries a piece of the lessons he gave us.

His story is not one of rescue.

It is a story of second chances.

And in many ways, Rip didn't just find a home at Hawkez Haven — he helped build it.

Care, Health & Well-being:

• Hoof & Joint Care: Regular balanced farrier care and senior mineral supplementation to support strong, healthy hooves.

• Skin Management: Requires breathable, clean rugging in wet winter months to safeguard against recurring skin sensitivities.

• Routine & Environment: Thrives with a predictable herd routine, calm handling, and strong trust-based leadership.

Looking Forward

Rip will always call Hawkez Haven home. As our foundation resident, he continues to shape how we understand, care for, and listen to every horse who arrives after him.