Lovely Rheitah
So many animal stories begin with the joy of a newcomer. Whether wild, in a friendly pasture, or a living room, many tales go on with fun and happy closures. Others, well, not so much. Then there are the ones in between.
As an animal rescue, we get all kinds. We have opened our doors to lives in great duress, on their way into trouble, or others whose responsible humans just needed a helping hand.
When a family critter enters into circumstances where they cannot, or should not, remain in their regular environment, what does one do? Some are abandoned, some have their lives ended, others… are blessed to have people who look for alternatives. This was the case with Rheitah.
When I visited a well-groomed farm with well cared for horses to determine if we could take a resident ‘problem child’, I was asked if I might have a place for an elder broodmare as well. No longer able to be bred, ongoing health challenges, and long ago retired from riding, she still seemed to have some time left. Her owner had the means to continue kind and proper care, but it simply felt like the situation was not fair for a horse who had lived a very productive life to remain among her peers, but with a loss of purpose.
I had the space available for another resident and after an open discussion on the horse’s issues, I said we would take her.
Environment is an important condition, even to animals. A simple backyard may be as comfortable as a million-dollar estate. The importance is love, safety, and good care.
Rheitah came to us alongside a filly who at birth, nearly lost her life. The duo were now destined to spend the rest of their lives together. A motherless baby and a baby-less mom became inseparable, making friends with others whose lives had also changed.
Equestrian Spirits, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) forever home animal rescue sanctuary. We specialize in some outrageous stories who get a chance to ‘begin again’ once they make it through our doors. Our board and founders are unpaid, and although we can only save a portion of those in need, we help many other rescues around the country with their situations, however possible.
We cured Rheitah of what had been a long-term medical problem. We provided an environment that brought her joy of living back to the forefront. She was not to have her own foal again, but her foster daughter was all she needed. While the standard racing or sale barn weans offspring to sell, show or race, Rheitah got to watch her young’un grow and thrive into a happy, healthy adult as they continued to romp together more like sisters than the generation gap they transversed.
Happiness is a rejuvenator, while the lack of it can become a threat. Although Rheitah would have been well cared for in her aging years, like many elderly, as her peers left and her memories dimmed, what was there for her to hold on to? At least for her, the blossoming of her spirit was evident to all who visited. Her donor was glad to be able to offer dignity to a mare who had spent her life in a very active world, who found herself just living out her days, wondering what to do with her time. Once she was a resident in our sanctuary, Rheitah galloped up for meals, frolicked with old and young, nickered for carrots, and slept quietly.
Far too many breeding horses are discarded when they no longer produce. Admirers of show and racing focus on the here and now. Owners who retire their own into safe conditions whether in their own facility or in careful rehoming, are realistic about the futures of their herds.
As a forever home we could offer Rheitah resilient elder years. Many others came into our lives in the throes of starvation, serious injury, or life-threatening illness. All residents are treated with kindness and compassion, but we cannot do that without help. We are not grant funded, nor do we have benefactors. Individual concerns are helped with any amount offered. I thank readers of Feather Sound News who have made donations to assist the comfort of our residents – large and small! Wishing all a happy spring!
Laurie L. Wolf, founder/director - http://www.EquestrianSpirits.ORG
