Tag: Horse Rescue

Tales from the Barn Boards ~ Wednesday’s at the Rescue

GeoThe early evening July air is heavy and hot. The fields and paddocks are empty of horses.  Approaching the barn, Greta gave a welcoming nicker. She is the lead mare of the herd and her bright brown eyes said hello. Wednesday’s at the rescue tend to be solitary evenings. The dogs are inside. The horses are finishing supper. The hour is set aside for making a fuss over Geo. He gets Reiki with grooming, or as Vicky says, “all slicked up.” On the outside, he has a regal manner and graceful movement. Inside, he is still a playful little colt. He likes to paddle his hoof in the water trough leaving a sand pile in the bottom. He loves to toss his head and tease with his barn mate Rusty.  If his stall door latch is not secured, out he will go trotting free in the barn and laughing as he dashes out the door. At nineteen, there is plenty of love and life in him.

Tonight, Winnie is at her new home and the stall is empty. Her companion Bandit, a chestnut pony with flaxen mane is all eyes looking for her. This little elf will join her soon. They came to the rescue in late March. Sunday barn volunteers, Liz and Lee started around the same time. I can still see the two horses that first week, laying in a big sunbeam in the blue round pen soaking in the warmth of the day. They were brought out of a difficult place and now rest in comfort. Lee has taken in Winnie and Liz has Shaker, an adoptee from the MSPCA at Nevins Farms in Methuen Mass. How all their lives have changed now!

Since early March, five horses have found new homes. Sunday is dedicated to volunteering at the barn. Thirty years ago, I made a neat living working on a private farm in New Jersey caretaking five horses for Miss Jane. I had a big bay Trakehner/Quarter Horse I called Ivanhoe. He taught me how accepting horses are of humans. They consent to domestication. We have formed a bond of mutual interaction over the centuries. Horses know they are remarkable creatures. They take care of the rider and keep us safe.

But wait, where is Zingra? She is gone to be a companion horse at a farm nearby. She may be adopted or return to the rescue. How Zingra beamed with quiet joy last Sunday when groomed by Bill and Marley. She will be missed this week. Doc, the big bay Quarter Horse gelding, is calling for his Zingra, they have been the best of friends. When it is time to come in for the night, he is the horse that is brought in first. What a spectacle to see him charging up to the gate. How impressive he is with his neck crested and powerful as his legs dance in a soft passage. This horse is 25 years old?  It takes years to cultivate that kind of free movement under saddle. Here he is, collected from head to tail saying, I GO FIRST, I GO FIRST to the other horses.

So much happens in a day. The small things that make horses a force irresistible. I thought these days were behind me. Can I be strong again? Greta leads the herd with soft confidence, it is her confidence I must gain to be accepted. After five months of showing my worth, I took a step forward tonight.

Tales from the Barn Boards – A Donkey’s Tail

Charlie BrownMay 29

A donkey became part of the herd a few weeks ago. A donkey! The horses keep a little distant and pull a frowny face when he gets too close. The first time Geo saw him, the regal thoroughbred gave a wide-eyed gawk. What is that! He backed up a bit and snorted in confusion. Perhaps it is those long elfin ears or the curly coat, but he doesn’t look like a horse, so where does he fit in to the field? The appeal is in those big round Charlie Brown eyes. His presence stirred the memory of a favorite travel book, “The Last of the Donkey Pilgrims” by Kevin O’ Hara. The Pittsfield Massachusetts native chronicled his journey round the coast of Ireland in 1979 with Missie, the donkey pulling the cart. The story spoke often of her personality and attitude. This donkey seems to dislike being left alone and can call up a storm with that bray if neglected in any way. What a holy fuss he can raise. Forget about key codes and motion detectors; get a donkey as a house guard. The earthy call can probably be heard all the way downtown.

Every equine no matter how large or small is born with a tiny magnet inside their heart. Some people tune into that energy and cannot resist the draw. A small ad for a horse rescue on social media gave perhaps a last chance to be around horses. Years ago, I made a quiet living working as a barn manager on a private farm. My skills were strong than, but, thirty years later, is it still possible to be around these magical creatures? Since February, Sunday morning and lately Wednesday evening, I volunteer at a local equine rescue. Strength and skill does comes back. Now I am even so brave as to start riding again.

Charlie IIThe donkey is tender footed this Sunday in the pasture. Now that the warm weather has returned, he wears a fly mask especially made for donkeys covering over his ears and all the way down to his nose. The mesh makes it hard to see his eyes. I call it his Super Hero mask. What is his alter egos name? Narcisetto? Briccone? Forza! Seeing him so uncomfortable, I rubbed up my hands for a reiki session. One hand on the withers and one on the rump, I called in the energy from the earth below, sky above, all four directions and into the center we go. He stood passively and did not shake me off. I neglected to ask and that may be why he felt warm in my hands, but like a rock underneath. He was heavy. His energy was not involved. I made a picture image of golden rays of light beaming through his legs and sending the pain into the earth. I got the idea to shake him a bit and still he did not stop me. Horses give back energy right away. This little body will take some time to understand.

This went on for a few minutes. I asked him to signal he was getting something and he gave the nose to the arm saying yes. When he moved out from under me, I let him go. I took out a bottle of an aromatic oil labeled joy. At first, he tried to eat the vial. However, a rub of it on the hands and on him did get a reaction. There is an Italian expression, qui casca l ‘asino – which means here’s the rub and he did.  I am not sure if it was affection or he thought I was a handy post but kept rubbing his head up and down. Push, push, rub up and down Frances. Good grief, he was animated, but did he feel better? He was not disconnected and that is a start 🙂 Rub, rub, rub my Frances, rub my nose, rub my nose.

May 30

The donkey has a condition called white line of the foot. There is a white line where the outside hoof wall meets the sole of the foot. If it separates, bacteria can grow inside and further damage the structure. It is a painful condition. A topical treatment can be applied to the bottom of his hoof, if he will allow it. A rare free Monday, I went in for morning chores and to connect. He said no to the reiki at first, walking out from under the hands when offered. Later in the morning, he accepted a short reiki and allowed one hoof to be treated. I tried to lift the other front hoof but could not get him to shift his weight to the other leg. Plus, he kept snapping his teeth toward me. I had to give up after a while. Donkeys are heavy when they lean over on you. The skies cleared and I lead him out to pasture. He still limped. But, the rains softened up the earth and gave hopefully a less painful step. He started to lean on me with his head half way to the gate. I merely steered us into the field. He communicates in his own way. The impression was he has a physical problem and is a little lost what to do. He would cooperate but it hurts too much. He cannot understand the treatment leads to healthy hooves. If I could distract him for a few minutes, than I did my job, he forgot about his pain for a moment.

A donkey’s tale to be continued.

Here is a link to a webpage for Kevin O’Hara that includes video of he and Missie on the road during their travels around the coast of Ireland.