Ness - The Mean Queen

Beautiful Palomino Finesse (Ness) became an orphan foal at just 2 months old. Despite having good initial handling and training by the breeder, she changed owners quite a lot before coming to Kerewong. People probably bought Ness for her beautiful palomino colour and later found out she has quite a strong opinion about most things in life and she became known in the area as Crazy Ness.

Consequently when Ness arrived at Kerewong as a 6 year old, she was very difficult, sometimes dangerous with the other horses. In truth she was terrified of other horses and her best defense tactic was attack. She kicked her way up the pecking order and it was clear Nessie ruled the paddock, lonely at the top. All horses are wise enough to stay far away from her.

Despite her pretty face she is not a barbie doll horse but a mean bossy lead mare. Due to her kicking attitude Ness was at serious risk of becoming a horse that will change homes all her life but we stuck with her as she has always correct behaviour towards humans and she eventually settled in with her Kerewong family herd.

The hard work on the trails was good to release her high stress and energy levels. Ness has been a fantastic workhorse, her gallops up the mountains are unbeatable, she is the only Kerewong horse that will not slow down and stop until she is at the top of the hill. She will work for 5 long days in a row and still not feel tired. This makes up for her stubborn streak and reserved attitude.

When the second generation horses arrived at Kerewong, Ness found her match in Nadal, who was not intimidated by her kicks and just insisted on sharing his hay with her. Nadal thought Ness was the coolest girl in the paddock. Since then Ness has calmed down a lot, just standing with big boyfriend Nadal and letting him take care of the herd hierarchy.

Ness is a beautiful looking mare, a true golden Palomino, with the strong body of a Quarterhorse and the fine head and amazing stamina and energy of the Arabian horse breed. As with most things in life, she does have an opinion whom she will allow to ride her but if the horse & rider - match is right, she will give her rider an unforgettable week of exhilarating horse riding through the Australian bush. 

Retired in 2015, aged 20 years old. No Kerewong horse will ever match Nessies amazing speed, strength and determination on the mountain trails and the rides won't be the same without the Golden Girl leading the way up the mountain. 

On 9 April 2019 the Kerewong Herd lost its Matriarch. This is a Tribute to her:

R.I.P. Marneross Finesse aka Ness.

From the moment you arrived as the 3rd Kerewong horse, in 2001 at 5 years old, it was clear that you would be the Nr. 1 horse in the paddock for the rest of your life. The lead mare. And later in life, the Matriarch. And so I find solace in the thought that now too, after 18 years, you will lead the way for your family members and be the first horse I had to let go. 

Five weeks ago Ness went lame without any sign of trauma or abscess and did not improve. After having to wait some time for the vet's X-ray machine, it was finally diagnosed that she had agreesive bone cancer in her leg (a rare disease in horses, for which there is no cure) and she was euthanised immediately. She was 23 years old and had a good life full of purpose, health, feeling safe and I think true horse herd happiness in her working life and retirement.

An independent, strong willed and incredibly tough horse and willing worker, she was one of the main horses I pioneered the trails with in the early days. I am sad but grateful I could spare her more pain and suffering and let her leave this world peacefully and with dignity.

Run wild and free my Kerewong Queen. You will always be one of the most beautiful horse I have seen in my life. Now go, find and lead the way to the heavenly pastures, so your family members can follow you when their time comes and you will all be together again one day.