Polo had been such an extreme abuse case that he hadn’t been able to stand. Ridden into exhaustion, run really,…….extensively, beyond the point of even being able to stand. With two pulsing excruciating bowed tendons, deep holes in both of his sides from the relentless use of rowelled spurs that continued to drive him…gallop him long after his legs and lungs gave out. Yet he still tried…until his heart too began to falter. When his thin body hit t…he ground…and hitting him would not get him up, his “owner” called his cousin…and his cousin called the “meat truck”.
As luck would have it, or perhaps it was something more divine, a friend called us, and for slightly more than the going rate of his weight by the pound, we bought him, and brought him to Red Bucket. Most obvious was his desire to be gently touched, and in spite of his state of starvation, Polo would far rather feed his need for touch than the need to satisfy his hunger…or perhaps that is what he was craving the most. He came without an ounce of baggage or resentment, embracing both being rescued, and those of us who embraced him. He connected quickly with Karen, and she too gravitated to the horse with holes in his sides…but a heart that was not only intact…but whole. In the spirit of celebrating our beautiful work, singing out for those who redefine what forever really means, we celebrate that Polo was born…rescued…and forever claimed by Karen. Happy 4th birthday to Karen and Polo.