4 minute read
A Sympathy of Souls
A A Sympathy of SoulsSympathy of Souls
By Marti Healy Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt
~ Emery Allen, contemporary writer
First, I breathed up his nose. As one does when meeting a new horse (acknowledging that perhaps I may be one of the odd few who does that). And, in return, he mingled his own breath into mine.
He then playfully nudged my nose a few times with the broad, velvety end of his muzzle – and proceeded to use his entire nose and mouth to feel all around the rest of my face into the edges of my hair. It was an exploring sort of touch, inquisitive, incredibly gentle, with a shared trust between us. Like a person who is without sight getting to know a stranger. After all, to him I was a stranger. And he is without sight.
His name is Buddy, a twelve-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. And he arrived at Aiken Equine Rescue in 2007 mixed in with a van load of other horses taken from an auction house in another state. There had been no mention of a blind horse among them.
Jim Rhodes, vice president and managing director of the Rescue, took note of the disabled gelding immediately when they were unloading the animals back at the farm, so he was able to give special care to the frightened, confused individual.
They assigned Buddy to a paddock by himself, where he would be safe and, hopefully, find peace and establish familiarity with his surroundings. But he remained terribly hesitant, disoriented, completely helpless.
Buddy’s fear was constant, almost palpable, surrounding him like a thick, impenetrable fog. It isolated him from any potential comfort or sense of community – not only from the staff and volunteers who tried to interact with him, but from the other horses. A number of different animals were introduced to him in an attempt to provide companionship; but he rejected them all, terrified of their very nearness. Even more terrified of the herd.
At mealtimes, he would be coaxed to the fence and his food bucket. But he continued to stumble and falter with every step, and needed to have his head directed by hand to his feed. Nothing his handlers tried could ease his lack of orientation or help him gain a life of even minimal independence and normalcy.
And then, the universe of strange and strong coincidences stepped in to fight on behalf of Buddy. It arrived in the form of a ten-year-old Argentine Thoroughbred by the name of Hollywood. This bringing together of two beautiful yet damaged souls would prove to be a saving grace for both of them.
Hollywood’s owner was polo player Gary Eakin (who shared his own nickname with this favored horse). When the much-loved pony acquired the serious, often fatal, neurological condition known as EPM, Gary brought him to Aiken Equine Rescue, rather than have the horse put down. Eakin, Rhodes and his staff, and vet Lisa Handy worked tirelessly to combat the illness, with significant success.
While Hollywood was being treated, and primarily due to his lack of coordination and muscle instability from the disease, he was paired with Buddy on a tentative trial basis. The alignment and bond of trust that occurred between them was immediate and unconditional. Both were filled with joy at the presence of the other. Their understanding of one another’s vulnerabilities was instant and profound. It was as if they had been reunited after a lifetime of separation – rather than newly introduced. Even their vocal communications were unique.
After six years together, Buddy now runs playfully and freely in the paddock, secure in the knowledge that Hollywood is nearby. He comes forward willingly to meet all visitors, old friends and newcomers alike, because Hollywood has got his back. At mealtime, the feed buckets are hung on the fence, and Hollywood goes to Buddy’s first, where he awaits his blind friend to join him. As soon as Buddy brings his nose into the feed, Hollywood moves away to his own bucket. It’s a system they worked out solely between themselves, however counterintuitive it is for typical equine culture.
Today, Buddy tilts his head in curiosity, listening to new sounds and footfalls and breathing as it approaches their paddock. He readily comes forward, leaning into me, anxious to greet someone new. Hollywood stands at Buddy’s shoulder, waiting with patience and, perhaps, something like pride.
I suspect the universe does fight for some souls to be together. Or perhaps it is simply coincidence or fate or a human mercy or the grace of God. Whatever brought them together, it is apparent that Hollywood has a soul that is strange and strong, and is now fulfilled with purpose. And, from out of the sympathies within his own soul, he has filled Buddy’s with peace and hope and courage.
