Malone She is so beautiful…this big-bodied chestnut colored Thoroughbred mare with a white blaze running down her exquisitely chiseled face. Though it has been said, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Malone defines what beautiful is on both the inside and the outside. Malone has successfully grown from a skittish, distrusting and abused former race horse to one of the most “curious, trusting, sweet and friendly horses” who lives at Red Bucket Equine Rescue according to her guardian angel, Mary Jane.
Malone was rescued along with 8 others destined for slaughter. New beginnings are sometimes bittersweet when an abused and forgotten horse is finally given a second chance at life; the hope and promise of tomorrow are there, mixed with the sadness of the present situation that must be addressed as soon as possible. Malone was rescued only hours before being thrown away forever. She had been a successful racehorse, competing in 16 professional races. Too often when horses such as Malone are injured, they are discarded without a care to what becomes of them. She was abused, cast out, neglected and starved. Red Bucket stepped in for her when she was only hours away from being sent to slaughter.She was in despicable condition! Despondent, 300 pounds underweight and unsound, Malone was destined for slaughter.
Her surrogate mom and guardian angel, Mary Jane, loves Malone. MJ visits faithfully, nearly every day, to give Malone a carrot and hand-walk her for exercise and enrichment. Malone is not considered completely “sound” ever since her racing injury. Although she is not able to run as before, with daily hand walks and short turnouts, she has shown great improvements. Malone enjoys following her “mom” around the arena, especially in anticipation of the possible edible reward. “Carrots are her favorite!” says MJ. Malone is known for her antics of neighing loudly at you to get attention in hopes of the coveted prize, a carrot!
She is known around Red Bucket for being the “go to” horse when educating the volunteers or the public about equines, and in particular, rescued horses. She is the horse most often used for the educational portion of Red Bucket which reaches out with informational tours to such organizations as 4H, Scouts, Church and School groups. Malone serves as the “model” as new volunteers learn to groom correctly and to care for hoofs. She is a very social horse and enjoys the attention paid to her in these sessions. When out on her daily walks, Malone is affectionate, especially with children.
Guardian angel Mary Jane and Malone have a special loving bond. They obviously enjoy one another’s company, and often Malone follows MJ around like a puppy. She has become a trusting and calm horse, realizing that humans are indeed her friends. Unlike the horse that first arrived at Red Bucket, today Malone is confident, healthy and beautiful, thanks to the love and care she receives from her guardian Mary Jane and the volunteers of Red Bucket.
Written by: Johanna Downs July 2013 Newsletter