Back on Track ‘Horse Therapy’: Jamie and Romeo

“Our souls were meant to cross when they did,” writes Jamie Desautels of an OTTB who, in return for rescuing his own life, rescued hers.

From Jamie:

My horses story started long before he blessed me with his presence. Romeo is a 22-year-old OTTB that found himself not once but twice in the kill pen at auction. The second time was he was spotted by a good friend of my trainers and recognized before his end fate! His bail was raised and he was rescued. He was then leased out and once again found himself in a dire state. He was left with no food, no water and emotionally neglected.

He came to me at a time in my life we needed each other the most. My marriage was facing some major hurdles, I was in the middle of custody issues, I lost my job, etc. For financial reasons I was never planning on owning my own horse. But here came this desperately skinny, sick, drained horse that really just needed the one person to give him a chance!

It took many months before he even had the muscle tone to be ridden. We spent our time with him grooming and just spending time with him. We worked so hard to show him love, calm his nerves and bring his weight back. After two years with this blessed gift he is going strong and beautiful! Retraining gently in dressage and some light eventing. He is so willing and so gentle.

In bringing Romeo back to health and training him it helped me focus on positive. He gives me more healing and love than I could ever pour out on him. Our souls were meant to cross paths when they did!

Here at Horse Nation, we believe that the best therapists are our own horses. We love sharing the stories of special equines — email yours to [email protected] to be featured in an upcoming edition of Back on Track “Horse Therapy.” Go Back on Track, and Go Riding!