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Just a quick note to keep everyone up to date. In my last letter to you, I talked about our
springtime love-fest, which has continued unabated. We’ve also had a visit from one of Mary’s
ex-owners, Sarah Bancroft, and hope to have photos of that visit on the website in the next couple
of weeks. Amazingly enough, after years away from her, Mary actually recognized Sarah’s voice,
bringing her head up and around in obvious surprise, and walking toward Sarah in the field in
unmistakable delight. Sarah had her friend Scott with her, so we took Debbie out with Mary, and the
two got groomed, carrots, a little riding together in the arena, and a nice bath, for a fun day of
exercise, treats and attention. I just LOVE it when old dear friends get to see each other again,
don’t you?
I’ve finished 3 of 5 sections in my equine massage course, completing
the final quizzes for each section at 100%; I’m struggling with all the Latin bones, joints and
muscle, tendons and ligaments names, but still am on track to attend the June practical in
Portland, Oregon on June 22. Its funny how this stuff works - I’d normally be very concerned that I
hadn’t had any real work for several weeks (thus reducing my income); but am a little grateful
since this material is so difficult. Hopefully, the work drought will end and I can make some money
before I have to leave for the 10 days traveling to Oregon and back. I’m writing today because I
may not be able to do so again until July, and didn’t want you to forget us in the meantime.
Simply Red is still doing poorly. He is a TB in his early 30s, so maybe
I shouldn’t be hopeful. With his tooth and injured knee problems from early this year, he lost so
much weight and has had so much pain, that I’ve been able to keep him going, but not thriving. His
appetite remains keen for all but the senior feed; he knows my voice and insists on coming out of
his stall each day, but I may be losing this sweet old pensioner - keep a good thought for him
please.
A personal note from Casey O'Connor
People often wonder why I spend so much time and effort on animals.
Largely I do so because I can get along with them better than I do with people. Maybe I don’t
expect too much from them, so they don’t disappoint and aggravate me as much. Maybe their own sweet
natures and tolerant hearts make them irresistible to me. During my decade in this endeavor, I have
had many people come and go in my life because of the horses. I’d like to take a moment to give you
my perspective with regard to the human connection, and how it’s affected me, and therefore the
horses.
The people I’ve met during these years at least initially express an
interest in the horses. Time shows that probably 80% of these people just wanted to dump a horse;
or they wanted a free horse or some free riding; or they wanted to look like they were charitable
souls, without any of the effort or responsibility. So their ‘interest’ is short, and often costs
me more in the time spent with them than the horses benefit. And a few, not so bad really, who do
really care that the horses not have to die because they are old or disabled, stay for a while but
just get tired of the ongoing need. This is not a situation where you can come in like Extreme Home
Makeover, do a specific job, have a fabulous result and reveal, and leave feeling like a hero. It’s
a day to day grind, ending only in grief. It’s not for sissies and often those of us who do the
work are pretty rough and ready characters, with less polish and patience with people than we
need.
I have seen the ugliest people I can imagine during this work, whose
grasping greediness, or vicious disregard for the plight of animals, or indeed anyone but
themselves, left me feeling as though I’d been beaten with clubs. People have screamed at me for
not taking their horses; or screamed that I don’t deserve help for these animals because I’m "not
nice enough". I’ve been abused for refusing to adopt the horses out; and abused for putting them
down when illness or age have destroyed their quality of life. I’ve been criticized for not paying
for extreme care, for not buying particular supplements or feed, for not shoeing every horse here;
for not grooming or exercising the horses enough. I’ve been criticized for not finding help, either
volunteers, or paid hands; for not having lighting at the stall line; for not having "events" for
the public to attend; for not advertising. Almost everyone I speak to has "suggestions" to clarify
what I’m doing wrong and how I can do better. I try to listen to each suggestion and respond to
what I hope is an effort to help, rather than the criticism it sounds like. But sometimes I want to
scream - "you think I’m doing it wrong? Fine! YOU do it!"
But then there is the precious 20%. Those beautiful souls, often short
of money or time in their own lives, who reach into their pockets, or find time in their busy
schedules, for these horses. Those kind ex-owners who’ve kept in touch with their old equine
friends, sometimes sending money regularly for their ongoing support, sometimes just donating when
they can and thanking me for photos of their old buddies. Those sponsors - some who have never even
seen in person the horses they support - who faithfully send money to provide a happy and safe home
for these deserving darlings, and often surprise us with a special purchase of a winter blanket, a
fly mask, or a bucket of treats as well, showing that they think of "their" horse as they probably
do their own friends.
These sweet people have shown me a beauty so poignant that it brought
me out of hell, and lifted my heart on wings, allowing me to take a deep breath, and find the
strength to continue. They show me that in fact people CAN be good - that people CAN care for
someone other than themselves - that people DO step up and do the right thing even when it doesn’t
benefit them. They renew hope in me - and I cherish each and every one of them for it. It’s funny
how that 20% can give me the 100% I need to carry on; how that 20% of beauty and good can overcome
the 80% of ugliness.
Be one of those 20%. Help these helpless souls to live their proper
equine lives after years of service to our incomprehensible species. Find the reward that I, and
those kind 20 percenters find - the satisfaction of doing the right thing, for its own sake.
I am not a religious person. But there are two "religious" concepts
that resonate for me. One is the Golden Rule - do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
This one rule alone I believe, properly followed by all, could solve all the world’s ills.
The other is, the more love you give, the more love you will receive.
And love is love - I don’t think it matters who you give love to, or why. Care for others. Love
what and who you can, as much as you can. When I’m stressed trying to find money or work, when I
have listened to yet another ugly person’s comments and criticism, when I’m just in a bad mood - I
walk out to my horses, and fix a boo-boo, or give someone a good brushing, and I walk back calmer
and happy again. I guarantee it, folks - this one works.
I don’t promise worldly success if you live your lives by these tenets
- I certainly am not considered a success by anyone I know. But I can promise a strong sense of
righteousness, and a feeling of peace and quiet happiness that can make all problems, even the
urgent and seemingly unsolvable, seem petty and irrelevant.
Thank you all for your continued support!
Casey O'Connor
TGC
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