Every now and again I am seized by suffocating, overwhelming
terror. I’d be absolutely fine all day and then just have moments of panic. It
isn’t because I need medication, it’s because I take care of 28 horses.
Creeping doubts accumulate and seep through my mind
unabated. Things I stubbornly refuse to let myself dwell on suddenly leap up to
haunt me. Fears about the failing economy, African Horse Sickness, the cost of
keeping old TBs. But then, as always the balm of thought: These aren’t riding
horses, they are pasture ornaments here to have a happy retirement. I am
organised and most of all I have been doing this since three years ago. The
thing is, there are too many homeless horses in the world. I cannot afford to
keep more. It is hard work taking care of us. I sincerely don’t hoard horses, I
try to take care of no-hopers until they need to be PTS due to failing health.
Of course, these things are sparked by new developments. An
old boarding client of mine has come up homeless. It is literally a question of
take him on or he gets PTS. I love him, I’m terrified of him dying before his
time without a gentle and relaxed retirement. His owner has tried for months to
rehome him, no one wants him – even for free. He is a sensitive soul, his heart
is easily broken. He likes treats and a wander about on lead. He should not be
ridden. He is quiet and gentle. Yes, I am a bleeding heart. I know that arguments
about whether or not we should just let these horses die in peace (PTS) or
rescue them are heated and numerous.
It’s hard in Africa, I have
heard stories of owners and breeders losing up to 20+ horses to horse sickness
in a single season. We have tick-borne diseases, horse sickness, West
Nile virus – you name it. Making the decision whether or not to
pour resources into poor communities and help them properly tack, dip, care for
their working animals or rescuing like I do is a very hard ask. It would be
cheaper and easier to pour money into cart horses and help there. But I don’t
think that form of help is sustainable, as opposed to literally and
meaningfully reaching in a changing the lives of animals who’d otherwise be PTS
or live neglected. Maybe I am misguided?
There is an upside to Africa
too, our weather is rarely severe (apart from the heat) and as long as you have
shade and shelter horses can live out all year long. That cuts costs
tremendously. We still rug in winter – even though some local horse owners
think we are mad. We also stable some horses who are older, who are more
delicate. Loads of the ponies who have come to us are hardy, they stay fat on
grass and need little extra feeding. Our vet is kind and lets us pay her off,
our farrier helps us at a massively discounted rate. Our grooms take good,
loving care of the animals in their charge. These are the people we all owe so
much to. These are the people who make it all happen. Go team, all the way!
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| Our glow-ponies at green grass |
I think sometimes I just want to know I am doing the right
thing.
What, dear intertrons, am I going to do about our homeless
bloke?
Here he is, sorry for the rotten cellphone picture:
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| Having a visit on the lead, I'm watching from the porch |
