It’s always been a dream of 13 year old Dalilah’s to adopt a horse. On April 1st this year, that dream came true. Dalilah, a Red Bucket Rescue volunteer herself, adopted 7 year old paint gelding, Liam. Seven years young, Liam came to Red Bucket desperate, starved and abused. He was so emaciated that no one knew he was a quarter horse until he regained much of his weight. “He spent the first 2 months with his head down in his hay,” Dalilah says, “We really didn’t get to know him until after that because he was so busy eating all the time.”
 
At first, Liam was nervous and scared when the volunteers at Red Bucket would come into his stall. “Liam slowly started to realize, that he will be fed, cared for and receive only kindness when someone enters his stall,” says Susan Peirce. It was evident that as Liam gained weight, he gained trust in humans again and snagged a few of the volunteers hearts while he l was at it too. A charming and handsome fellow, he loved to watch the kids and follow them around. Clearly, any child’s dream horse, it was only fitting that he found his forever home with Dalilah. “It was very clear that Liam chose Dalilah,” says Susan Peirce, “and I couldn’t be happier with this adoption.” Dalilah visits him everyday and takes excellent care of him. He is a very loved horse and is very treasured by her. “He is the perfect horse,” Dalilah says enthusiastically, “I’ve been taking lessons on him and he is just wonderful.” Liam has built complete confidence and trust in Dalilah. “He has taught me so much,” she says. “He has made a lot of progress too. He was initially head shy but he lets me touch his face and give him carrots and apples now.”
 
Dalilah and Liam plan to compete in barrel racing and Liam seems to enjoy doing it. “We are training now and took him to a show to get him used to the sounds and sights of it and he did really well,” Dalilah says. “I can’t thank Red Bucket enough, because if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have Liam.”
 
I can’t help but be a little teary eyed about this gorgeous Quarter/Paint gelding’s story. Liam has come so far since being rescued, it’s impossible not to be. Liam’s progress is inspirational to say the least! He was restored to health, learned to trust again along the way, and even found a forever home with a girl who loves and cherishes him deeply. It is a very real life, fairytale ending for both Liam and Dalilah.