When visitors come to Rainhill, the question I am asked most often is, “How long do horses live?” My answer is always the same. “Well, the good news is horses are living longer than ever before due to better feed, de-worming products and maybe just all-around better care. The bad news is horses are living longer than ever. The average horse can live to 30 years or a bit longer, depending on the care he was given throughout his life.” Now, where this may seem to be a wonderful thing for a horse, imagine how many homes and owners he will have in his lifetime. Sadly, some folks can’t even keep a dog or cat for a year – go to any humane society and look around, so many sad faces wondering, “What happened? Why am I here?”
A horse is a big responsibility and a big expense. I understand. People grow up, they move, they change their minds about the work involved with having a horse (I call it horse remorse). And then the horse has to go. I don’t have any answers… well, maybe just one. Think twice about buying a horse or taking a “free one.” And if you have to re-home your horse, try to make sure the new owners are responsible people and will treat the horse well.
So, let me get off my soap box and tell you about the horse pictured here. His name is Mark Of Success, I call him Marcus. He is a 16-year-old Standardbred gelding who was born in Ontario, Canada and probably spent his life as a buggy horse. And, yes, he’s blind. There are so many horses that are discarded every year because their owners no longer want them – for whatever reason. The blind ones are the really sad ones and the ones that always touch my heart. So, when I heard about this poor guy out in a kill pen in Kansas, I agreed to take him in and show him what a beautiful and special horse he is. Marcus arrived this week after a very long trip and is settling in nicely. He is calm, has a great appetite, and seems very relieved to be in a barn with happy horses. My friend Sandra said the other horses always tell the new ones, “This is a good place!”
Marcus needs a sponsor to help with his expenses. Would you like to be his special person? The sponsorship program is $25 a month or a one-time fee of $300. I send pictures and updates and you are free to visit, just always call first to make sure I’m available. There are many other horses that need sponsors and the difference your donations make allows Rainhill to care for these horses in the way that helps them live a good and happy life.
Our feed bill is one of our biggest expenses and donating gift cards to TSC really helps lower the weekly bill. Every dollar donated helps us do this very important work and we appreciate you more than you can ever imagine.
Thanks for reading our little stories. You can also check us out on Facebook and see more photos and information there, too. Be safe and bless you for caring!
-by Karen Thurman
Rainhill Equine Facility
11125 Ky. Hwy. 185
Bowling Green, KY 42101
270-777-3164
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