Success Stories Part 1

There are many ways we count successes at Home At Last. One of the major ones is to have a horse, donkey or mule live its life like it should. A herd animal needs a herd. There is a safety factor, yes, in being in a herd, but there are good psychological reasons, too.
To be able to eat with a friend, to stand head to tail and swat flies, to nap while someone stands guard and to gallop full speed with your herdmates is natural. To be a horse you must be with horses. The animal learns socially acceptably behavior. It learns to play horse games. It learns patience and respect.
When Cash the Thoroughbred came three years ago, he only knew about standing in a stall and racing. He is a big beautiful boy over 20 years old. He is graying in his face and is quite statuesque.
He did not like to be brushed nor did he want to be in the pasture. The first time we tried to put him out, he took one look at the turn-out and stomped back to his stall.
We introduced him to Breeze Bay and Jesse-one on each side of his barn stall. Since they shared outside space with a fence between them, he learned about having neighbors. Soon, they were nickering and grooming one another, so we put Breeze and Jesse in the turn-out. Cash went in willingly. Jesse has been moved to another turn-out but Breeze and Cash are still very close.
When one of them naps, the other is standing near-by. Yesterday with the cold and snappy weather, they raced, reared and bucked together. Frankie is next door and the two boys often play bite your knees and neck through the fence.
Cash is still not fond of brushing but tolerates it. I think because Breezey loves human attention Cash is beginning to like it, too.
Cash was not a happy boy when he came to Home At Last, but I don't think you can find a more joyful horse anywhere now. He looks and acts like a healthy being. His retirement is what we hope for every animal here. To be loved, cared for, healthy and happy- a good quality of life- is our goal.
Some of the animals who come here are here only for a short time. They come ill, abused, starved, mistreated and we strive to make each moment the best it can be. We stress quality of life over the quantity. That means we want them to live the best life they can, but will not allow suffering. Our vet, Dr Darling, takes an active part in our determination of the quality of life.
Cash is a success story because he responded so well to his life here. He has a great quality of life in a natural setting for a horse.