Horses that Capture Our Hearts

Barbaro and Others Who Fight Against the Odds for Survival

I was struck by the article Barbaro by Vonda Sines because in it she made a point about how Americans really connect emotionally with the under dogs. I have found that there are horses that fight against the odds, and in doing so they capture my heart. Seabiscuit, Hidalgo, Barbaro, and the horse I’d like to introduce to you today. 

I was watching the race when Barbaro suffered his tragic injury and have followed his progress avidly ever since, as have all of us. Another horse I’ve followed since the beginning of his journey towards recovery is not a famous and expensive race horse, but rather a seemingly unimportant farm horse who barely stood a chance when he was rescued. 

Meet Baker Bean, one of nine horses brought into the Days End Farm Horse Rescue center in Lisbon, Maryland. He arrived after Animal Control personnel got his former, neglectful owner to sign over custody of all his horses rather than face criminal charges. The man got away scott-free, but the horses have a new lease on life. For Baker Bean, help came not a moment too soon. 

When he arrived Baker Bean was ranked as a one on the Henke scale which measures the physical condition of the horse. One is the lowest you can get and Baker Bean was in bad shape; bones clearly visible and barely able to stand. In fact, when he first arrived he was unable to get up on his own and had to be helped to his feet after 30 minutes of resting because he was so exhausted. Only now after 3 weeks of constant free-choice hay and daily feedings is he able to stand up on his own. At first there was concern that he may also be lame but inspection revealed he actually had a nail imbedded in the sole of his foot.