Kept away from hay and water by the other horses in his herd, Marley, an elderly horse, was rapidly losing weight when his former owners called The Gentle Barn to the rescue. His story, relayed by Bored Panda, led him to this sanctuary in Santa Clarita, California, after a journey from one state to another. A year later, the old horse leads a completely different life there…
Sometimes a simple phone call is enough to change your destiny. The one received by Ellie Laks And Jay Weinerfounders of The Gentle Barnhad an urgent nature: it concerned an elderly horse that his peers would not let near food or water.
A cry for help for a sidelined horse
At the end of the line, the horse's former owners were distraught. According to their call, the animal suffered a serious back injury, while the rest of the herd harassed it relentlessly, and, both isolated and exhausted, it was losing weight at high speed.
“ We received a call about a horse being harassed. The other horse wouldn't let him near the food or water. He was alone and losing weight quickly. His former owners therefore asked us to welcome him into our sanctuary. “, summary The Gentle Barn in the video recounting his rescue.
Ellie And Jay didn't hesitate to cross state lines to get him. Upon arrival, a cozy bed, enough to eat and companions capable of understanding what he had been through were waiting for him.
A jump out of the trailer
As soon as the doors opened, the old horse jumped out of the truck, visibly excited to begin his new life. Shortly after, other images show him running around the ride, as if enjoying a newfound freedom.
The Gentle Barn had promised him friends with this kind of past, as well as a soft bed for the night. It remained to be seen how the new herd would react to its arrival.
Head to head with his new friends
This time, there was no rejection: his new companions approached him with warmth and curiosity. One sequence even shows him resting his head against theirs, a gesture by which the horses express trust, affection and reassurance.
Better yet, Marley took a liking to Bonniethe oldest mare of the sanctuary, and it is with her that he now shares his days.
A new life, one year later
A year after his arrival, his daily life took a completely different turn. Between 2 loads of organic hay, the resident enjoys baths, acupuncture and massages, without forgetting the biscuit that precedes his night or a good dose of affection. So many little touches to pamper an elderly horse.
In the video, he appears as a kind and humorous horse, who often receives Sunday visitors, who give him a treat or a caress as they pass. He is presented as having recovered, both in his body and in his morale.
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No doubt: The Gentle Barn, Marley has finally found its place!