During our visit to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund’s rescue facility on Saturday, we met Amadeo. I remember his story from the CWHF Facebook page a couple of years ago. It’s an amazing one.
This is Amadeo as a wild stallion on the beaches of Corolla. I did not take this photo; it’s on the CWHF FB page.
Corolla Wild Horse Fund photo
One evening in the spring of 2013, a local resident saw a horse running into the ocean. Although the horses DO go into the ocean, this man knew that something was wrong. The water temperature was too cold, and the horse was running at full speed into the water. The CWHF folks, as well as Corolla Ocean Rescue and Carova Fire and Rescue were called.
The horse (yes, it was Amadeo) was struggling, but finally was able to get footing on a sandbar. Miraculously, the CWHF and ocean rescue folks were able to get him to shore and into a trailer. Amadeo is an “aged stallion”, and the CWHF volunteers soon learned that he has very limited, if any, eyesight due to a fight with another stallion.
But, because of their excellent care, Amadeo is now doing well and living the good life at their rescue facility.
We were introduced to him by this fine gentleman, Mike Gaulding. Mike is the farrier who cares for the horses at the facility and travels to the beach if one of the wild Corolla horses is in need of his services.
Mike told us how much Amadeo loves neck scratches, then went in his paddock to give us a demonstration. It’s obvious there’s a special bond between the two of them.
Soon, my horse-loving friend, Donna, had coaxed Amadeo over to the fence, so she could give him some love.
I tell you, the two of us were like little girls around all those horses.
We’re so happy that, thanks to so many caring people, Amadeo’s story has a happy ending. And knowing what a tragic ending that story could have had, meeting him in person was….just….special.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 