One of my favorite parts of operating a horse rescue/sanctuary is meeting the people who love animals as much as I do. We seem to be a special breed. Even as a small child I was drawn to animals of all kinds – big and small, wild or tame, it didn’t matter. My parents bought me a dog when I was ten and he lived until I was in my 20’s. He was my best friend and, like the T-shirts used to say, “Everything I know about life my dog taught me!”
My horses teach me things also. They tell me about the bad things they have gone through. The harsh treatment. The lack of food sometimes. We speak a different language, but I can tell by the way they act or react to certain situations. I know. I can see and understand. Horses don’t lie.
Animals have a certain sense about people, and they can tell when they are around folks that really like them. The visitors to Rainhill are the folks that really like horses. It seems like everyone turns into a kid again when the horses appear. It’s wonderful to be able to share my horses with people who love them but just can’t keep one in their own back yard. I get it. I’d be the same way if the tables were turned. And so, I share my beautiful horses because I can. I also urge people to call first to make sure I’m available for a visit. I’m usually here except when I’m not.
Several weeks ago, I got a surprise visit from a dedicated horse lover. Actually, her father called me as they were sitting in my driveway. Now, if you’ve ever been to Rainhill you know I live in the middle of 185 acres and can’t see the end of the driveway, with the locked gate. The lock is for security reasons and because there are sometimes horses in the pasture that you drive through. No problem. I’ll just drive down and let them in and we can have a good visit.
Now here’s the part that will make you feel good. The father drove his daughter here because she is only eight years old and collected money from friends and relatives to donate to the horses! Doesn’t that just warm your heart and make you have faith in the future of mankind? We see it on TV all the time – young people with lemonade stands collecting money for a charity, doing great deeds because it’s the right thing to do! How amazing and wonderful. And now, Rainhill has our very own young lady, helping and caring for those less fortunate.
Her name is Grace Cole, and she is from Russellville, Kentucky. And what a testament to her amazing relatives who encouraged her giving spirit and brought her here to bless Rainhill’s horses with her generosity. I am touched and honored by this beautiful young lady who, I am certain, will go on in life to do incredible things. We all did have a really nice visit and the horses all wanted to be petted by Grace.
And so, as this New Year begins with its own set of challenges, I will live each day thankful and feeling very blessed to have such wonderful and giving friends surrounding me and the horses. Thank you, one and all, for being a friend to Rainhill’s horses.
-by Karen Thurman
Rainhill Equine Facility
11125 Ky. Hwy. 185
Bowling Green, KY 42101
270-777-3164
