There is too much sadness in the world right now. I could make a list, but I’m not going to, you know what I’m talking about. So, this month’s article is going to be a happy one. If you like animals or surprise endings to lost causes, I believe you’ll be smiling when you finish this story.
It all began in April of this year. We were contacted about taking in a blind pinto pony that was at an auction in Tennessee. If you read our stories in SOKY Happenings, you’ll remember this sad little pony that arrived at Rainhill. Both her eyes were severely infected, she had barbed wire tangled in her tail and, not surprisingly, she was scared to death. The slightest noise or smallest touch and she would try to run, only to crash into the back of her stall. What unspeakable things did someone do to this terrified pony?
After several rounds of antibiotics, her eyes finally started to clear up and she was calming down just enough to help us see the light at the end of her horrible journey. Maybe we could restore her trust in humans – we’re not all bad!
We named this little gal Rosa, and what a bright spot in our lives did she become! I had attached a lead rope to her halter in the stall so I could catch her without too much trouble. She stood still to be brushed, ate with gusto and whinnied excitedly when I entered the barn in the morning. It appeared we were making a difference in Rosa’s life. I was thrilled!
The horse rescue life is never dull and my phone rings daily (no kidding) with another person with a horse they can’t keep. So, in July I found myself agreeing to take in two more horses (long story). That meant Rosa would have to be moved from her stall. Ah, what to do? I have a horse, Lakota, who is also blind. He thinks he’s a dog (another long story). He’s been with us for almost four years and does not have a pasture buddy. Hmmm, maybe that would work. Lakota has a 12’x24’ stall and a giant field he loves and, being a bachelor for so many years, just how would he react to a roommate? I took a deep breath and closed Lakota’s outside door and put Rosa in his paddock. This way they could meet, sniff and discuss this new living arrangement. Well, they didn’t tear the barn down so, holding my breath again, I opened the stall door and let them in together. Rosa made some cute little horsie sounds, Lakota looked surprised, and then they turned and walked off, munching grass as they went. Well, I was quite pleased with myself, and every time I see them together, side by side just being alive, I am happy, and I hope now you are smiling, too.
Not all my pairings work out so well. But I am especially pleased with this one. It seems they are both very reasonable horses and have worked out a system of who eats where, who goes through the door first, and who gets the biggest pile of hay. Ah, if those were the biggest decisions in our lives the world would be a happier place.
Thanks for reading our little stories and remember what they used to say, “Try a little kindness.”
-by Karen Thurman
Rainhill Equine Facility
11125 KY Hwy. 185
Bowling Green, KY 42101
270-777-3164
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