He raced 90 miles over North American Standardbred raceways during his career, but it is the 600 trail miles that Rum Tuff Customer has trotted for his new owner, Suzanne Horne, that have made him the subject of yet another successful racehorse retirement story.
As an article by the Truro Daily News explains, Rum Tuff Customer now goes by the name of ‘Tuffy,’ but you wouldn’t be that far off if you called him ‘Trail Warrior,’ either.
Horne, of Churchville, in Pictou County, NS, adopted Tuffy in the spring of 2013. He went on to make news two years later, as he took part in a Canada Day event, more specifically, the RCMP Musical Ride.
Tuffy has made the news yet again, this time for what he and Horne have been able to do along the beaten path. The Truro Daily News piece states that the duo has really taken to trail riding, so much so that they have entered competitions that see horse and rider partake in 15, 20 and 25-mile jaunts.
“In competitive trails rides he trots out just as strong after 25 miles as at the first,” Horne said. “He shows you don’t have to have the best equipment if you’ve got a good horse and put effort into preparing.”
Horne had previously owned a horse, but after he had passed away she decided that she needed a bit of a break. It was in 2013 when she decided to get in touch with the Maritime Standardbred Pleasure Horse Association and take in a new horse, Tuffy.
“I gave him the first summer off and then he was so easy to train,” Horne said. “He’s not fond of grooming, but he really took to treats, so that was my in.”
Horne told the Truro Daily News that she keeps track of her trail rides with Tuffy by utilizing an app, and that the pair have logged nearly 600 miles on the trails.
“I’m really glad to have him,” said Horne. “He’s the right horse for me.”
(With files from the Truro Daily News)