Unseen Heroes: Here’s to the Small Equine Rescues

Candace WadeComments Off on Unseen Heroes: Here’s to the Small Equine Rescues
“…our horses are not disposable. Older horses are not useless. Slaughter trucks are full of old friends who gave their all. The large rescues get visibility and support. The small, unseen heroes who strive to reward their horses for years of work can use our help, too.”

Kudos to all equine rescues. The large operations with national and international presence, yes; but how about the “little guys” who retire their herd members and won’t toss them out? Those unseen heroes who won’t deliver their loyal, hardworking horses to the “sales” for a few hundred dollars? Meet Christy McMillan of Horse Life Inc., a 501(c)(3) on in Jamestown, Tennessee. This operation is personal for me. I have ridden some of the horses that Christy works to offer a safe, productive retirement.

Housquoe. Photo courtesy of Christy McMillan.

Christy created Horse Life, Inc. in 2021. The pandemic had slammed Southeast Pack Trips, the trail riding operation run by Christy’s husband, Larry. People weren’t traveling.Christy shared, “I tried to figure out a way to keep these older, retired trail horses that have become part of our family. They’ve been totally committed to us, and we must be totally committed to them — whatever it takes. Our goal is to keep them with their herd/family — to live a soft life in the later years and help them transition peacefully when that time comes. Breaks my heart to see someone selling an older horse.”

I asked Christy to introduce us to her retirees. “Most of our seniors are Tennessee Walking horses. We have one Paso Fino (‘Maniac’), a Tennessee Walker/Mustang (‘Spur’) and a mule (‘Cody’).

Horses:

  • BW — Tennessee Walker – 25+ years old
  • Red — TN Walker – 25+
  • Cody – mule – 25+
  • Spur –TN Walker/ mustang – 25+
  • Wasper — TN Walker – suffers from founder — 20 +
  • Housquoe — TN Walker – 25+. He’s our Autistic kid and Boy Scout merit badge horse. He’s a gentle giant
  • Corona is four and somewhat earns his keep, but is pretty useless other than being a love bug. Our staff member, Bobby, trained and rides him, but Corona is still young — a surprise baby.
  • MJ is a three-year-old Mustang/Walker mix. I’ve had to cry to keep her as Larry stated numerous times, she will be useless. My goal is to prove him wrong,

“All except Corona and MJ came to us with some serious man-made issues that required daily interaction, structure, stability, and repetition for them to have turned into the rock stars they are. Some were free or under $500.00.  Corona’s mom came from a horse sale. She was, discarded, pregnant, starved and weak. MJ’s mom was a freebie. Her owner had abandoned her and moved to New York. She was scared and starved but always sweetheart.

MJ and Corona. Photo courtesy of Christy McMillan.

“Larry witnessed previous abuse by Red’s former owner. Spur was deemed unmanageable and unrideable. BW came out of a horse sale in Shelbyville for $600, deemed crazy and unusable. BW was a little nuts. She tried to climb a fence here and had a bad injury that kept her out for six months before Larry could even begin trying to ride her. Their relationship is one for the books. I saw him make her into one of the finest horses ever. I watched her turn into a rideable horse.

Spur. Photo courtesy of Christy McMillan.

Red. Photo courtesy of Christy McMillan.

“No history on Maniac except that he threw Larry’s ex-wife multiple times. Larry ended up with him. Cody came from an old friend and earned the title of Cody ‘The Wonder Mule’ due to his gentle temperament. He has been a trusted pack animal and Boy Scout carrier.  Cody is probably close to 30 and a beautiful little soul.”

Cody. Photo courtesy of Christy McMillan.

I asked what support activities Horse Life Inc. has offered to help pay expenses. “We’ve thrown a benefit cookout for the past three years. These were successful in helping with medical bills and extras. We have invited Scouts and those interested in ‘horse time,’ just grooming or even short rides on these guys for donations. All ideas are appreciated as are all donations.”

I have ridden with Christy and Larry for “yeeears.” I know many of these horses and others that left us years ago. Southeast Pack Trips customers have become friends. Christy adds, “Lots of people remember these horses from when they were children, and then they bring their children to ride with us.

“Our horses are the best. They have made a difference in our lives, and I hope, in the lives of the people who have had the chance to ride them. We must be committed to them and do whatever we possibly can to let them live a peaceful healthy senior life. We could use a little help keeping our commitment of love and care for our old, horse-heroes.”

I will editorialize by adding that our horses are not disposable. Older horses are not useless. Slaughter trucks are full of old friends who gave their all. The large rescues get visibility and support. The small, unseen heroes who strive to reward their horses for years of work can use our help too.

Horse Life, Inc. is located at 125 Kenneth Drive Jamestown, TN 38556. Come and meet the horses at Southeast Pack Trips.