He had been so starved that we weren’t sure that he would survive the first weekend. Just backing out of the trailer and the few wobbly steps to his new stall seemed to tax him completely. The anatomy of… every vertebrae painfully visible…exposed in such a way that it left not only him vulnerable, but those of us who cared for him vulnerable as well. We held our breath for the first few days, and didn’t return to using our lung capacity for a full month. We averted our eyes when he would turn as he had wasted away leaving a huge gaping canyon between his back legs, a cavernous void that left us nauseous and light headed. His recovery seemed to happen in slow motion…the first short hand walk, a few shaky trot steps….the first time he laid down….and got back up. The transformation of late has been more remarkable…and has come with an acceleration of playful turnouts, lunging….and the first few rides. Bentley has rejoined the world, a healthy, vibrant, and very social horse. He doesn’t appear to have the slightest trace of  baggage, only a joyfulness and gratitude that he eagerly displays. He has a striking beauty, and the most reasonable attitude and lovely temperament that we have ever experienced. As with all well deserved happy endings, Bentley’s is just getting started. With a long anticipated shaky signature, Jen signed Bentley’s adoption contract formalizing what Bentley has known for a while now…she  belongs to him. Home forever…in time for the holidays! Congratulations to Jen, John and Bentley…happily ever after!