Rhiannon

This is an excerpt from Nanci’s book. You can order your copy of “In Search of Purpose: One Woman’s Journey to Save and Restore Horses Who Bring Hope to People” here.

“Rhiannon was near death when the NY State Police and Peaceful Acres Horses arrived on the site of 14 horses living in a junkyard of old abandoned cars, boats, and garbage everywhere. The horses lived without food, water, shelter, or care. It was a cold November afternoon in 2014, and what we saw brought tears to our eyes. The State Police had been called to a location in Washington County NY to respond to a potential animal cruelty situation and had asked Peaceful Acres Horses and a local veterinarian to meet them at the site where several horses were located. 

The condition of the horses was shocking and sad; some were very young, all were emaciated, and one was in distress on the ground. Because of the urgency the State Police arraigned for a search warrant to gain access to the property.  The horses needed to be evaluated by the veterinarian and the young colt who was in distress needed immediate veterinary assistance. Peaceful Acres Horses was available to assist with the police seizure and getting several of the starving horses to a nearby veterinary hospital. 

As information was unfolding the State Police learned of another location where  two more young horses had been moved to. The State Police secured another search warrant and asked Peaceful Acres Horses to follow them to the second location. Upon arriving there, there were two very emaciated young horses. The people came out from their house and began arguing with the police, telling them the horses were fine and that they were not responsible for them, they told the police that the horses belonged to the man who had the other horses. 

The police presented the search warrant and within a few minutes my colleague and I were walking the horses onto our trailer to take them to the veterinary hospital. One of the young fillies was starved to the point that the veterinarian was not sure if she would survive the next 24 hours.   Her eyes were dim but hopeful, her body showed the evidence of prolonged lack of food and care, her bones showed through a thin layer of skin with a very light coat, she was weak, afraid and cold. But there was something about her that night, she was sweet and had an energy about her that she was still ready to fight for her life. I knew she wanted to survive, I could see in her eyes that she still had a glimmer of hope for love, care and kindness to come to her. 

When Rhiannon made it through the first 24 hours of care in the hospital, we all gained some hope, we knew the next several days would be critical, her tiny, emaciated body had to begin to accept the food she was being fed without beginning to experience refeeding syndrome – a potentially fatal condition that can lead to kidney, heart, and respiratory failure. As the days went on Rhiannon was gaining strength and she was becoming more animated with the staff at the veterinary hospital. Her loving and silly personality was beginning to shine through her tiny weak body. 

After three weeks Rhiannon and the other young horses who suffered terrible cruelty, finally came home to Peaceful Acres! So many people were at the farm to celebrate their lives and welcome them to their peaceful place. Our prayers were answered, they were home.  In the stable they were gaining their health and becoming very inquisitive. Despite what had happened to them, they were all so friendly and playful, especially Rhiannon.     

Rhiannon has grown up to be a beautiful little mare with a big heart. She began working in Peaceful Acres Horses’ equine-guided emotionally supportive programs to help inspire, empower, and bring hope and resilience to young people. Rhiannon has lifted the courage and voices of traumatized teens and adults, and she has brought a loyal and gentle friendship to people who have experienced terrible loss and grief. 

Most people who meet Rhiannon do not know her sad beginning, they only see the beautiful little mare with a heart of love, friendship, and compassion for the people who she takes under her care. Rhiannon is always eager to be chosen as an emotional support horse, she loves to bring joy to people, and help them to find their way through challenging times.  Rhiannon is a special and mighty little rescue mare who has a beautiful – encouraging purpose at Peaceful Acres Horses. Rhiannon will be safe with us at Peaceful Acres Horses receiving the care and love she deserves, we will continue to keep our promises to her.” 

Would you like to be one of Rhiannon’s life-sustaining care Sponsors?

You can see donation options here, or to signup now you can click here! Thank you for learning more about the rescues at PAH.

You can read more short stories on our website. You’ll find more detailed stories, the history of Peaceful Acres Horses, and helpful guided note taking in Nanci’s book “In Search of Purpose.”