Description:
Galway, foaled in January 1987, is a 16 hand, bay, Hanoverian gelding. Galway was rescued from slaughter where he had been dumped by his former owner. Galway has suffered a lifetime of abuse and presents as neurologic. Galway is not available for adoption and is a permanent resident at Red Bucket where we are privileged to offer him a loving sanctuary for the remainder of his life. Galway is best friends with Deaglan.
Facebook Welcome:
We aren’t even sure of how to introduce him….maybe we should start by saying that he is safe. He is by all accounts spectacular. A bay Hanoverian…4 equally matched white socks and a noble, intelligent, and sensitive face, sporting both a blaze…and an expression that suggests a world of hurt, betrayal, ……..and today, relief. He is a trained hunter, dropped off (by his owner) at an auction yard that caters to the kill buyers and sells horses (and pets) by the pound. After his quarantine, he came to us…and we greeted him respectfully, brushing away the tears that slightly obscured our vision, but not the truth. He was exhausted, and clearly stressed under his stoic guard. It was clear that he had not been truly touched in a very long time, yet after a few days of gentle grooming and compassionate touch found him crying for us when we exited his stall. They had continued to work and jump him…hard…in spite of him being very neurologic and having advanced and progressive ring bone in three of his feet. He was a commodity to them….to us a hero, a horse who had given 25 years, his life, to serve. Now it is his turn, we will serve him. Because he is neurologic, we cannot re home him, but rest assured that Galway is HOME.
Facebook Update:
They are both branded Hanoverians, they had been owned by the same owner…who self-reports to be a great lover of Hanoverians, they were both dumped at slaughter…by that very owner when she was “done” with them. We don’t think they they are “done” at all, and while Galway will never have a rider on his back again, and we are still trying to figure out a lifestyle that is in Deaglan’s best interest, we can safely say, that these two remarkably magnificent horses are not”done” yet, not by a long shot. Perhaps it is only as fantasy that we remember a time when horses were valued, when our great admiration resulted in providing them with respect and dignity, and the sport horse was rewarded with a well deserved retirement once they were done with serving and protecting their rider over a great many years, and obstacles. While we are frequently left shaking our heads…and brushing away stray tears, we feel honored to care and serve the previously discarded…and unwanted. Today, both Galway and Deaglan enjoy their enrichment time in turnout, and are learning to rely on a life that is free from the expectations of others. There are no strings attached to their lives, and we can clearly state with heartfelt certainty, that it is a privilege for us to serve them.