Bandera Unites to Support Smiley

Our local trail-ride business, Bandera Historical Rides, often brings riders into town and supports Bandera’s reputation as the Cowboy Capital of the World. Owners Harriet Stewart and Tom Lamonica are living the dream they shared on their first date many years ago: to rescue and rehabilitate horses that other folks had given up on.

One of those horses is Smiley, a tall, sweet Standardbred mare who, for some reason, had at birth been given the registered name of “Nobody Cares.” This name would turn out to be prophetic as she washed out of a harness-racing career at three years of age and was sold to an Amish man in Ohio who wanted a horse to pull his buggy.

At the ripe old age of five, Nobody Cares was badly injured while giving birth to a stillborn colt, and was sent, with minimal veterinary care, to an auction pen where her destiny was, most likely, transport to Mexico to be slaughtered.

Harriet was unaware of the serious injuries when she purchased Nobody Cares online from the auction pen, but she recalls that when she first met her new horse and discovered the injuries, all she felt was more determination to rescue this suffering young horse. After Harriet noticed the way Nobody Cares liked to flip her lip up over her teeth when she wanted a treat, the new name of Smiley was born.

Fast forward to mid-June 2022. Smiley suffers a medical emergency and is brought to Retama Equine Hospital, the same place that treated her injuries when she first came home with Harriet in 2018. This time, however, her chances for recovery did not look good. After several days of intensive treatment, the hospital informed Harriet that the only option to save Smiley would be major abdominal surgery.

Harriet had to have faith that Smiley would survive the surgery and recover, as well as faith that she could find a way to pay the large hospital bill that would result. Her friends and Smiley’s fans vowed that if Smiley could do her part, they would do theirs.

Well, part one seems to have been achieved, since Smiley came home from the hospital on July 1 with a very good report from the doctor. She has lost weight, and is bored by stall confinement, but otherwise she is making a remarkable recovery.

Part two has led to the organizing of a fundraiser, to be held this Saturday, July 9 from 10 am to 2 pm at Major Hope Corral, 749 Old Medina Highway. The event will include a live auction starting at 12:30, a silent auction, barbecue plates available after 11:00, pony rides and live music. Guests are welcome to bring beverages of their choosing, and bottled water will be available. We hope Smiley will be available for photo-ops, though she will still have to stay in her stall.

Bandera knows how to take care of its own, and Harriet and Tom hope that everyone turns out to show Smiley that never again can it be said that “Nobody Cares”.