In last month’s article I told you about a horse I had recently taken in. He came here from a rescue in Tennessee that was closing down. Several different people were helping with the horses that were left homeless when this place closed. Evidently no one knew much, if anything, about the horse I agreed to take. I was told several different “stories” about his age, breed, etc. All these facts seemed faulty when indeed the horse arrived at Rainhill.
No big deal. This horse needed a home, and we had a spot, so the details were not really important. But, I wondered, “What is the real story of this horse?” And I kept wondering every day as I was around him and quickly noticed what a beautiful animal he was. He has impeccable manners and looks me in the face when I speak to him. He carefully watches everything that is happening around him and almost seems like he is looking for someone or something. A lost friend? A previous owner? Ah, if only they could talk!
I was told he was an aged (old) Standardbred. I have been around many Standardbreds and this horse did not look like one. But still I wondered. So, I did something I had never done before. I got him DNA tested! A few pulled mane hairs were sent to a place in New Jersey (DNA TEST MY HORSE). Two weeks later, there was one question answered. BREED. The test said he was a Morgan. Ha, I never would have guessed.
But the bigger question still looms – he is covered in scars, big and small – how did he get them? He doesn’t seem to be in any pain, the cuts all healed long ago. But whatever happened certainly was life-changing for him. He walks with a weird wobble, making him unrideable but definitely very loveable.
With modern equine medicine and better de-worming practices, horses are living longer than ever before, which I always say is the good news and the bad news. Humane societies are filled with dogs and cats that folks can keep for two years and horses are living into their thirties. Imagine how many owners, good and bad, a horse will have over 30 years! There is no telling what happened to this horse in his lifetime. I am just happy he is here now, where he can relax knowing that his trail of tears is over.
He came with the name Raje and I know he would love a sponsor. The sponsorship is $25 a month or a one-time cost of $300 a year. Rainhill could not operate without the generosity of caring folks like yourself. These horses did not ask to be born but they do need to be fed and cared for. Won’t you please help?
Rainhill is a non-profit 501c3 organization that cares for old and disabled horses for their lifetime, giving them a safe place to live out their lives in peace.
Thanks for reading our little stories and may God bless you for any help you may provide.
-by Karen Thurman
Rainhill Equine Facility
11125 Ky. Hwy. 185
Bowling Green, KY 42101
