BoBo and Golden – previously named BoBo and Earl
Adopted by Heather on 1621382400
It was a month or so after my son Samuel passed away suddenly, he was 15.
As any mother would be, I was, I am, broken.
I was visiting a local farm stand. I love visiting with the animals just as much as the kids, they make me happy. As I was feeding grain from my hand to the horse, I let her take it from my hand. She was very gentle, and I reached up to stroke her face. Our eyes met, her long lashes and black, brown eyes with a pure light almost shining through.
At that moment, I felt like I was laying with my son Sam in hospital. It was God, it was pure contentment, peace, love. I was feeling understood, listened to, loved. I began to weep and had to retreat to the car.
The next day we drove by the local farm stand, I had to stop. I had to see the horse. If I could just get that feeling again, I would feel better, my day would be better. It would be okay for just a minute, maybe more.
I began to realize that horses possess much more than beauty and power, they possess something very special. Something I could not really understand. I found out that her name was Sally and I would stop frequently just to feed her treats or to pet her. No kids with me, not even to buy a vegetable, just to be with Sally.
Sally at the local farmstand was the beginning of my healing with horses. The opening of the door to begin my journey to heal, not just from the grief, but from more than I ever knew possible.
I have loved horses since I was a little girl. My parents said they were too expensive and dangerous, my dreams of riding always turned down, in fact the subject was always changed. My mother loved horses, and I would always hear about how she almost died, she got bucked off and broke her back. Her fears became my own.
I began to notice that families that had the nice houses and the fancy cars , were also the families that owned a horse. My mind drove my dreams away, how silly. Only rich people can afford horses. I went on a couple trail rides, the ones where you pay and go as a group. Always kinda disappointing, I didn’t get to spend much time on the ground with the horses and it was just following the leader. I picked up a lesson here and there, always from a different instructor. Life always had different directions, kids, work, doubt, fear. Always an excuse. Never made it a priority, just something I loved but the kids, work, etc., was more important than pursuing some silly little girl dream of owning a horse and taking lessons.
How beautiful they are to watch. So massive in size but yet so graceful. As a child I would just be in awe of their beauty and they smelled so good. It just always felt so good to be in their presence. The power they possess yet how gentle they can be. But yet I never had a horse of my own.
After visiting with Sally for a few weeks, I began to realize that maybe there was a better way to be around horses. I finally found Hidden Pond Farm Equine Rescue. I met with the owner Phyllis. She introduced me to a horse named Tucker, and I think wept with him for about 20 minutes. He hugged me and trusted me, it was an instant connection. I felt loved, I felt okay. Phyllis encouraged me to come back and that she and everyone else would be support for me. How amazing to come across people that understand you, who want to help you—who don’t even know you.
It was a winter of ups and downs, I learned A LOT about myself, about horses, about everything.
I knew that in order for me to keep going I needed to keep being around the horses, and the friends I call family at HPF. Who knew that horses were God’s gift to us. A beautiful, strong, caring gift that only those open to healing with horses can understand.
Today I have two beautiful Standardbreds, BoBo and Golden, rescued from the kill buyer before they were sent to slaughter. Saved from a life of neglect and abuse. These two boys have been through hell, and I can relate. Together we are healing, learning to trust each other, to love one another. It’s an incredible journey.
Some days I don’t even recognize them: their skin is starting to shine, their eyes have a little sparkle.
I am truly blessed to have these two horses. They may feel that they have been rescued, but they are rescuing me. I hope that one day I can help others find the beauty and healing in the presence of horses.
I know that every time I am in the presence of a horse, I feel calm, I feel loved, I feel God, I feel my son, I feel peace and I want the world to feel that too. God bless.
