Home Again Horse Rescue

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Success Stories

Shaggy’s Story

 

In the spring of 2002 Home Again Horse Rescue received a shaggy aged, quarter horse gelding.   The horse was emaciated and infested with parasites.  His mane and tale were such a shaggy, matted mess that we couldn’t help, but refer to him as “Shaggy”. 

When Shaggy first arrived, it had been such a long time since the poor fellow had eaten a decent meal, that we had to reintroduce food very gradually for health reasons.  With each handful of grain, the gelding would look through his forelock with his kind, brown eyes and give a muffled knicker that seemed to say “thanks”.  Everyday he grew healthier and stronger, but always remained kind and gentle with all those that handled him.  He was so kind that even young children could groom or ride him.  It was as if he was so grateful to be given a chance. 

Nine months from Shaggy’s arrival, the day came that we’d all hoped for.  Shaggy was healthy, enjoyed people and was ready for adoption.  At that time, a wonderful family came to take this kind, gentleman home, where he would spend the rest of his days.  At his new home there were other horses to romp with, a pond to swim in, a warm stall with a blanket of his own and even a young boy to be his eternal friend. 

 

Cleo’s Story

 

Cleo was an unusual case for Home Again Horse Rescue.  She came as a perfectly healthy horse, but with extreme behavioral problems.  Before she arrived at HAHR she had been donated to a wonderful lesson facility, who simply were not set up to handle her behavioral troubles and had no place to send her.  The mare would pin her ears and could even kick when approached.  She was also extremely head shy.  The more we handled the chestnut mare, we realized that she was not just simply nasty, but for whatever reasons, did not trust people.  It became quite apparent that the mare was probably the victim of abuse before she was donated.  Cleo was handled with patience and kindness, and each day she seemed to trust us more.  She went from a horse that was impossible to catch in the field, to a mare that would greet you at the gate.  She was a classic case of a misunderstood horse.  After a year of ground work, Cleo began a light riding regime. Then it was time to find this beautiful chestnut mare the right permanent home.

In the late summer of 2004, the perfect match came along.  A woman adopted Cleo, who worked as a trail guide at a farm in North Carolina.  This calm, and wise horsewoman took Cleo home and began to work with her slowly.  Over the months the bond between them grew to the point that Cleo would guide trail rides with her, even wearing her own “horsey rain slicker”.  HAHR has even heard word that Cleo is so trusting and trustworthy now that guests can also ride her through the Great Smoky Mountains.  This was a true case of a horse who deserved a second chance.

Here are some of our success stories