This is Pixie and Callee. They are best friends and have been together at Rainhill for about eight years. Pixie is the black and white pony on the left and Callee is the mare on the right. They have their own paddock and double stall where they can come and go as they please. The only problem is they are both blind.
Humans seem to be the only species that wastes time feeling sorry for themselves. Horses are happy with good food, loving treatment and a friend. Pixie and Callee have all those things and more. They are always together enjoying a meal, munching grass or sharing a good scratching, as they are doing in this photo. Callee was born blind and so she does not know what the world looks like. She navigates by sound and memory – I have never seen her bump into a fence or wall, this is all she has ever known. I’ve heard it said the sightless use the same echo-location sense that bats use. Interesting. I don’t know if it’s true, though.
I am fairly sure Pixie became blind when she got older. Her story is a sad one but nothing I haven’t heard before. It seems a hunter was checking out his deer stand because deer season was about to begin. He was deep in the woods in Northern Kentucky when he came up on a thin, scared pony that had a bad wound on her face where she had evidently been struck by someone trying to kill her. She probably fell down and the violator walked off thinking he had succeeded in “disposing” of this “worthless” pony. Luckily, the hunter brought Pixie back to his house, called a rescue and Pixie was brought to Rainhill.
I am always happy I can help these unfortunate horses who just want what we all want – fair treatment. What a special moment for me when I look out in their paddock and see them like this, enjoying life… something as simple as a good scratching as they share a beautiful moment together.
And so, at this point in my story, let me thank everyone who has so generously donated to make a place like Rainhill possible. We are a 501c3 non-profit equine rescue/sanctuary that gives life-long care to special needs horses. We currently care for 50 horses with 30 of them being completely blind. If you were touched by our story and would like to help, we’d be so grateful. Donations can be made via PayPal (under my name), a personal check, and gift cards are always welcomed. We buy our grain at TSC and shop for supplies at Lowe’s and Home Depot. Every dollar counts! If you’d like to visit, just call first to make sure I’m available – 270-777-3164.
Stay safe and well!
-by Karen Thurman
11125 Ky. Hwy. 185
Bowling Green, KY 42101
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