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Heartwarming Horse Story!

posted by Dara

Sometimes it is so hard, in all of the horrible news that face on us a daily basis, to find a good news story. I found this one on facebook. Never doubt that a small determined group of people cannot change the world - indeed - it is the only thing that ever has. Grace - you certainly changed Marco's world. Thank you.

Marco's Wish
On Tuesday, I met up with my friend Catherine to watch the Horses go through Olex. Though we both couldn't afford another mouth to feed we couldn't help but notice a pen with two emaciated thoroughbreds. One was small and one was very very tall. We walked up and down the deck and there was something about this horse. He looked at me. Eye contact is one thing that anyone should avoid if they want to avoid emotion, but emotion was welling up in the both of us. I had my baby on my back and Catherine climbed down over the maze of gates to get a closer look at this horse. I knew a horse in this condition was likely to go through under 20 cents a pound, so I kept my hand ready on my buyer number.

The big boy came in, a shadow of a former impressive horse. I said to Catherine, I'm going to take this horse home. I was wrong, and I was outbid.

I was upset. Catherine was upset. We went outside for air.

We called my husband and I lamented.

Then I told my husband. I am still buying that horse.....Catherine and I were buying that horse.

The plan was, we would split the cost.

Arrangements were made with the other buyer. The big gelding was seperated from the rest of the ill fated horses, and catherine and I felt very good about the whole situation.

I took a look at the papers (bloodrecords for gov't paortion of horses for slaughter) and recognized a name "TULIP DRIVE" these were not his papers. they were for a dark bay, 4 yo tb filly.

I started putting together who these horses were....they were GRADUTES off the Second Start Website. They had been brought in by the same person.

Perfect, we'd buy the horse then try to find him a good home through second start....

everything was falling in to place.

then it all fell apart, both our cards were declined in the office.

so we both left, with our tails tucked between our legs, feeling the heavy weight of failure on our shoulders.

I went home, and cried on the drive. I honestly have never done this. It's not because I'm heartless, You just can't, if you attend Olex, you have to accept that Slaughter, for most of these horses is a reality. We can't save them all.

Enter Second Start TB's. I emailed Alexis, Catherine posted her pictures and suddenly we had a whirlwind of interest...everyone, working together for the good of ONE horse, Marco's Wish. It truly was a production, but ultimately everyone's top priority was giving this identified horse his identity back.

Catherine and her family graciously offered to post his "bail" and he was to be shipped to our small private farm Oendale to recouperate.

But that wasn't necessary!!! Alexis found Edward what will hopefully be a forever home with a good friend, and we couldn't ask for more.

and today Marco's Wish is waiting, for his trailer to arrive. I am sure he doesn't know what fate he escaped. He will never know all the sweat and tears and cooperation that have been involved in getting him back safe.

What he will know, is love. and his emaciated, worn body will have a chance to return to its former glory. He is loved, and we wish him well.

We eagerly await to hear that he has been safely loaded and taken to his new home, because as we all know...it ain't over til, well.... Edward sings!

(Tulip Drive was also bought privately, and is safe)

Sometimes bad things happen to good people, I don't know why both horses came to Olex, and in the state they did, BUT I hope this story will help people realize that there are people willing to help the horses.

I was thoroughly amazed by the giant circle of caring offered by the horse-loving community.

.

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