In July of 2024 I was contacted about accepting two mares into Rainhill’s rescue/sanctuary. One was blind and the other was possibly in foal. I was given no other details except they were at a kill pen in Tennessee. Originally, the in-foal mare had an adopter but changed their mind and so that mare’s future was uncertain. That’s when I said, “I’ll take them both!” After 30 days in quarantine both horses were trailered to Rainhill. Sometime during that day, I received a text telling me that neither horse had a halter on because they both were untouchable! WHAT! Luckily, it was a farrier and vet day so I thought, good, I’ll have some help getting these two into a stall.
The stock trailer was backed into the barn and the task of unloading them began. The men managed to get the sighted mare into a stall and get a halter on her. The blind mare was a totally different story. They did get her into a stall, but we could not even get close to putting a halter on her.
This poor horse was so frightened, even the slightest touch caused her to explode and try to get away. Luckily, the stalls are well built and held that mare as we tried to calm her down.
I wondered what was done to this poor horse to make her so terrified of the human touch? I had no idea this would begin a journey that would last almost two years.
We named her Connie as she began her life at Rainhill. Slowly, she relaxed just a little, coming a bit closer at feeding time. Never too close, and if I reached out to touch her, she backed up very quickly. I cleaned her stall by opening the door ever so slightly as she stood listening to me moving about in her stall. It wasn’t a great setup, but it was probably a lot better than it had ever been for her. But every day I thought about getting her outside. The sunshine. The cool breeze in her mane. And grass, beautiful grass. I tried everything I knew but she was still so scared, and a scared horse is a dangerous horse.
The other mare that we call Mona, had calmed down and I managed to turn her out with the herd. She’s doing very well but still has no use for humans. That’s okay, she has horse friends and is happy.
Days went by and Connie was still in her stall. She never seemed stressed. And as long as I never tried to touch her, she actually appeared content.
In April of 2026 I made an appointment with the vet and the farrier. WE WOULD get her out of her stall! And we did. With the men helping and a bit of tranquilizer, a halter was put on her. They walked her outside, laid her down and trimmed her feet. She lay still for a few more minutes and then got up wondering, I’m sure, where she was. Of course, I worried. Would she get up and run crashing into the fence, the run-in shed? There are two other horses in that paddock. Would they fight? Oh, gosh! Please let them all be safe!
It is now July 2026. I took this photo today. Connie is happy and very well adjusted. She gets along with her pasture mates, Tess and Little Honey. She is learning to be a horse that is loved and cared for. There are no whips. No loud mean voices. Connie has not been back inside since that day. There is a big run-in shed in their paddock. They all come and go as they please. Life is good for Connie.
Thank you for reading our little stories. If you’d like to help, we’d be so blessed. Sadly, there are many more horses like Connie that just need a chance at love and understanding.
Sincerely, Karen Thurman
270-777-3164
Rainhill Equine Facility
11125 Ky. Hwy. 185
Bowling Green, KY 42101
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