I bought a rescued horse.

[Th1onein]

This friend of mine rescues horses for the SPCA and the animal cops. He brought this horse in to the stables one day. She was in bad shape, and they thought she was going to die. They'd had a terrible time getting her off of the ground. They were trying to get her in the trailer, but she kept lying down again.

She couldn't raise her head up to eat her food in the bucket. I thought she was a Shetland pony, because she looked small, and she had a long mane. She was skin and bones. Anyway, everyday I got her bucket down and held it for her to eat. Then, I bought some Vitamin B complex from the Tractor Supply, thinking it would help her and I mixed it in her food. The next day her head was up and she was eating out of her bucket! She turned out to be a real horse, and she's big, not a pony at all. I named her Loretta, for Loretta Lynn, who has had a rough life, too.

I tried to get someone to take her home with them. I was going to buy her from the guy who rescued her, just so I could pick out a good home for her. But no one had the facilities to take good care of her. So...I bought her myself. Keep in mind, I know almost nothing about horses.

But, Loretta is my girl. She is getting sloping curves where the bones used to be, and she is very bright-eyed now. When she's in her stall, she puts her big head down, and rests it against me and closes her eyes, while I run my fingers over her mane and face. And, when I take her out to the field and let her go to eat the grass, she always wants to stand right beside me, touching me. (She's a gigantic horse and this scares the crap out of me.) When she's in the pasture and I drive up in my truck she runs to me and starts making whinny sounds. I never knew horses had such personalities.

I went from a sugar glider named Biscuit, that I could stick in my shirt, to a gigantic horse named Loretta.

The man who rescues the horses lets me keep Loretta there for free, in his stables. I make sure to make it worth his while by buying the other rescued horses things they need, like food, combs, brushes, fly spray, halters, lead ropes, shampoo, mane conditioners, weight gainer, vitamins, worm medicine, etc. I get to name them all, and it's amazing how quickly they learn their names. Since I've been here, I've helped to get a baby off of the ground where she was dying and watch her grow back to health (and grow, period!), and I've seen these beautiful animals go from dying to spirited and happy. It's amazing, and I can understand why the man who rescues these animals does this work in his spare time.

Next year, when I come back here, I am going to buy some land and build some stables on it. And enough pasture land for at least three horses. I've never considered myself a horse person; never even been around horses until now. But it seems that people are abandoning their horses because they can't afford to take care of them. And I want to be a part of the solution to that problem.

[Dystopian]

1. Thank you for sharing your story....

All the love and care that you put into your precious Loretta:hug:
She already loves you....
This is heartwarming....Love is all we need!

Thank you!



peace~

[skygazer]

2. This is my dream

I've rehabilitated three horses now that were either abused or neglected or both. There is nothing more rewarding in my opinion.

Horses have a different perspective on life than dogs or cats and that's always good to remember. People often describe them as stupid - they're not, they just don't see the world the way humans do or the way animals we tend to keep as pets do. Horses are herd animals and prey animals so to them it makes sense to run away from anything unusual because it might well be something that will eat them (dogs are different - they tend to investigate the unknown because for them, it might be something they can eat).

Horses need to build a huge level of trust in the humans around them in order to feel secure about suppressing their instincts to flight. It sounds like Loretta is an absolute sweetie and trusts you deeply. That is just what she needs and shows what a giving heart horses have when they can feel that way after being so neglected.

Sounds like you've found a calling.

[redqueen]

3. Aw... thanks for sharing that story.

:loveya:

I'm glad you were there for Loretta to help nurse her back to health... she sounds like a real sweetheart.

[Th1onein]

5. She is....

It is difficult for me to fathom that such a gigantic animal can be so dependent. It's scary, walking her around, because she's so big! It's strange that she goes where I lead her, just as docile as a lamb.

The only thing she does that I don't like and can't seem to conquer is getting her to go back into her stall after she's been out walking with me. She stops dead when she sees that stall and I have to pull and pull on her, to make her go and then, I have to push her from the back end to get her all the way in, and even sometimes, then, she will NOT go. I am wondering if the people who neglected her just left her in a stall to die.

[redqueen]

7. The poor thing...

hopefully over time she'll lose that fear of going into her pen. If it was a dog it'd be easy, just give a treat and a pat when it goes in and poof! Instant obediance. :P

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. ~~ Good On You ~~

:loveya:

[Roon]

6. awwww!

Horsi! :o

[Bertha Venation]

8. Brava! Thank you for telling us about this.

You are an angel. O8) Thank you for taking Loretta into your heart.

[Creena]

9. Wonderful!

It's quite hard to describe the emotion of seeing a sick and abused animal morph into a stunning creature through love and care. My life is caring for abused and neglected animals. It's devastating to see the cruelty a human is capable of, but that twinkle in their eye once an animal learns to trust again...it's amazing.

May you, Loretta, and all the animals benefiting from your good heart have a happy, healthy life! And, the next time you see Loretta, give her a carrot or apple piece for me (if she's allowed)! :hug:

[InvisibleTouch]

10. Good on you!

I've wanted a horse since I was a kid. Have taken riding lessons on and off, and toyed with the idea of boarding a horse at the nearest riding stable, but the bothersome financial details always trip me up. How excellent for you that you've been able to give Loretta a great home, and that she's recovering and doing well!

[Pool Hall Ace]

11. How fortunate that you and Loretta have each other!

I love heartwarming stories! :hug:

[Nicole Lambeth]

12. what a sweet story!

Qhat an act of love! I hope to take in a rescue horse or two when I have land available to do so. I would love to see pics of Loretta if you have any!

[Scout]

13. Bravissima!

how wonderful for you and for Loretta.

I would love to be able to help all the horses and dogs that need it. i volunteer sometimes for a horse rescue/adoption/haven and there is nothing like the feeling you get when you know you've made a difference ... and when the horse or dog shows their appreciation and love, it's the best feeling in the world.

bless, bless, bless you for what you're doing.

[Fleshdancer]

14. Now this is a cause I would be honored to donate to

I wouldn't be able to start until next month, but if you set up a paypal acct, I would love to help you pay for the food and other necessities you need to take care of Loretta and the other rescue horses. The only thing I require in return is pictures! :D

What an incredible story Th1onein. Please keep us updated.

[Th1onein]

15. Oh no! I'll send you pictures for free!

It's okay; me and my friends have got this covered. We all make pretty good money and we all go take care of the horses every day. Far from being neglected; each horse has several caretakers looking after him or her. We, of course, make sure not to overfeed them, but they've got lots of attention and our deep pockets to make sure they have everything that they need. The man who rescues the horses owns the land and the stables, and he gives the stablehand free rent on the house that sits adjacent to the stables and the pasture. And the stablehand has two kids. They are good kids and are very kind and gentle with the horses. So we've got me and my two friends, and the kids and the stablehand, all in it together. The poor man who owns the house and the stables is always taking flak from his wife for taking more and more rescue horses in, but his heart is as big as Texas. And me and my friends are making sure that everything goes well for the horses now, so that eases the burden on him quite a bit. It's like a big, extended family all centered on taking care of those horses. We're supposed to get a big group of them in soon, all skin and bones, but we're ready with the vitamins and the food and the worm medicine.

It's strange--when they come in, their heads are always low to the ground and sometimes they lay down and you have to put a strap under them to get them back up on their feet. Sometimes you have to do that over and over again, until they stop laying down. But after a week or so, up comes their head; after three weeks, you can see that the bones are not so prominent; they are losing their sharp edges, and after four or five, their coats start to shine, like they're wet. And, of course, they start showing their personalities as soon as they feel better.

And they all have different personalities, it seems. One of them, Victory, used to take my fingers into his mouth when he ate a treat, which always scares the hell out of me. For a while, I would put the treat in his bucket because of this, but then I noticed that if I feed him by hand he likes it so much he trembles. I don't have the heart to put it in his bucket anymore. The palomino, Indio, used to take my fingers in his mouth, but I griped at him, and he started taking tiny little bites. Very dainty; not horselike at all. It's kind of funny looking to see him pull back his lips and bare his teeth and take a tiny little bite out of the apple. He used to take the whole apple in his mouth, and now it takes six or seven bites for him to finish it. Freedom, a big black thoroughbred turns his head almost horizontal to the ground, and peers at me sideways when I come into the stables. And I always have to take a bite out of the apple, first, for Loretta to eat the rest of it. The little mare, Baby, won't eat treats at all, but she runs the fence line upset that she can't be with the other horses when we put them out in the pasture. When she's done with that, she runs around kicking her back feet up like she's thoroughly pissed off at the world. They are all such characters. It's almost like a circus.

[redqueen]

16. Thanks for sharing all this...

I have really enjoyed reading your descriptions of the horses and people you're working with. :)

[DeepBlueC]

17. Horses really do need as lot of (expensive) care

I watch Houston Animal Cops all the time and they often have to rescue horses from people who either don't know what they are doing or think they can get by with home remedies instead of vet care. The truth is they just can't afford to care for these animals, or even feed and shelter them adequately. Their teeth need monitoring, especially if they have not had a proper diet and they need regular care from a farrier...lack of proper foot care can cost a horse his life. I have learned an awful lot from that show and I so admire the people who step in to rescue and restore these animals...it's a huge job and a miracle to see it happen. I guess I am one of the people who never realized all that it takes to care for a horse...it's huge.

Thank you for sharing this lovely story. I hope you'll be able to show us pictures of Loretta some day.

[Th1onein]

18. They do take a lot of work. And a lot of money.

But, fortunately, together, we've got them covered.