The Little Engine That Could

Guinness is, you guessed it, one of the 42 (!) Irish Thoroughbred horses we rescued overnight back in 2009. Susan Peirce describes Guinness as “a slightly smaller-than-average horse with a heart the size of a draft.” Like all his siblings from that mass rescue operation, he was neglected and emaciated, skin and bones, really, when he first arrived at Red Bucket. But right away we noticed a few things about him: his amazing athletic ability, kind nature and larger-than-life heart! Many horses, as they go through the rehabilitation process, will eventually show their spunky, even feisty, side when they finally begin to feel better both physically and emotionally. Not Guinness! He had the most unbelievable drive and desire to please and just do anything and everything that was asked of him. All he wanted was to do a good job and for his people to be happy with him. Just like the Little Engine, he constantly seemed to be telling himself: I think I can, I think I can…

When Laura Detwiler came across the Red Bucket website she had been looking for a horse to adopt for about six months, without any luck. For whatever reason none of the horses she was interested in turned out to be medically sound. Thinking that there must be a horse out there who needed a home and was healthy, Laura drove to the Ranch to meet Susan and Guinness. However, at the time, the handsome bay gelding was already tentatively spoken for, so she didn’t ride him, nor did she dare get her hopes up. Laura took a break from searching for a suitable equine companion. A month went by before Susan called her with the news that Guinness was in fact available for adoption now and invited her to come back out to get better acquainted with him. Knowing that Laura wanted to ride dressage, Susan just had a feeling that Guinness might be a perfect match for her from the way he carried himself and because of his willingness to go to the ends of the earth for his person. Optimistic after their ride, Laura decided to move forward with the adoption application and vet check. Since by that time Guinness had enjoyed plenty of good food and excellent care, he of course passed with flying colors. The rest, as Laura puts it, is history!

It’s been a little over a year since the adoption was finalized. By now Guinness is completely head-over-heels for Laura, waiting excitedly at the gate as soon as he realizes she’s at the barn. He currently lives at Cobblestone Ranch, a full-service barn in Santa Clarita, California. Laura rides him four times a week; he is lunged twice a week and gets one turnout day to run, jump or roll around as he pleases. Laura says he does better without much down time as he is a very athletic Thoroughbred with energy to spare! One challenge they had to work through together was trailer loading when it became necessary for Guinness to move to his current home. It took four sessions with the resident trainer to prepare him for moving day, and although he’s still a bit nervous around the big scary trailer, he now walks in willingly and without fuss, big people pleaser that he is.

Without a doubt, every rescued animal, be it a dog, cat, horse, donkey or any other species, knows what it feels like to be scared, hungry, alone, abandoned and unwanted. For Susan seeing one of these formerly unwanted and discarded animals get their second chance and go off to their forever home where they are cared for, appreciated and treasured beyond words is what validates the gut-wrenching (not to mention back-breaking) work of equine rescue. The passionate and glowing reports she gets from former adopters via email, text, and Facebook are heart-warming reminders of how truly valued and cherished these horses are now in their forever homes, and that their past, no matter how horrific or painful, is behind them for good. This is especially true when the updates keep coming for two, three, even up to five years after an adoption.

Laura’s “awesome” adoption experience with Red Bucket more than made up for a rather frustrating start to her search for a suitable horse. She recalls visiting the Ranch about six times before adopting. With four children to care for and a 1.5 hour drive each way, that’s a big undertaking! It is fitting that the “I think I can” commitment was mirrored between Guinness and Laura. She never once felt any pressure to make a decision, and the team was “amazing.” She says, “I wish I could get everyone I know who is looking for a horse to adopt from Red Bucket!”