Shedrow Secrets
Willow, the Final Chapter (chapter 1 here; chapter 2 here)
by Joy Aten
Willow, a recently-raced mare when found starving in October of last year, was humanely euthanized on June 24 with Laura, her rescuer and forever home, at her side. Willow’s severely damaged ankle could no longer support her, nor would it respond to pain management. Although Laura knew Willow’s life would be cut short because of what racing did to her, she had longed for more time with this sweet mare who had learned to trust, and been so easy to love.
Laura’s goodbye: “It was the hardest, yet at the same time the kindest, thing I had to do for Willow. She went to sleep peacefully. Duke and Bart [Willow’s herd mates] came to say goodbye to her, so they knew what happened to their beloved Willow.”
Willow was eight years old; her “forever” with Laura was 230 days.
Time for Parading – “Willow” – found injured and starving nine months after her last race:
Willow shortly after arrival at Laura’s November 7:
Willow enjoying her limited time with one of her mates, Duke. Although Laura was able to bring the starved mare back to a healthy weight, her damaged ankle continued to deteriorate:
Promising Willow she will always be loved:
Willow, a casualty that this vile industry will neither acknowledge nor record. But we will here. Goodbye gentle soul…
I’m not sure about any charges being brought against the last known person or persons who were the ones that left her abandoned (?) and starving. I did not see a follow-up on that part of this story. Her owner was also her trainer and, instead of getting her the proper veterinary care that a normal person with scruples would do, he gave her to someone who did not have whatever it would take to get her proper basic care or veterinary care as far I could comprehend after reading the posts about Willow. As far as the person who received her as basically a gift, this person did not have enough money to own a horse. As far as scruples go, I guess it would be logical to assume that person had none. Otherwise, I think that person could have handled this whole situation much differently.
I am endlessly amazed about this. Starving an animal (even ones labelled “livestock)” isn’t operating by “standard industry practice”, under which it seems many other cruelties are perpetuated.
I do not know the best way to go about getting this abuse to stop but I will contact a few orgs like Mercy for Animals and see what they’re up to regarding rights for livestock as that is their focus. Certainly the Animal Welfare Act excludes livestock but it has been amended many times. Maybe it can be amended again to include livestock. I imagine there would be a huge uproar from certain segments but times are changing!
Horses are livestock. Laws don’t apply.
Horribly sad. My question is, why do the laws against cruelty to animals not apply when a horse is found in this condition? Why were the owner/trainer/stable not prosecuted in this case? Please help me understand this. Are there no animal right lawyers willing to take on these case?
I am so sorry for your loss. Willow was so lucky that you found her when you did. People need to know what happens to these beautiful creatures when they are no longer useful to the people who are supposed to take care of them. Rest easy Willow. You will never be forgotten.
RIP angel :((
R.I.P. SO SORRY WILLOW. U S ARMY VETERAN, MERCY FOR ANIMALS MEMBER & MANY OTHERS!!!!
Karen Baker,
I am wondering if you’re referring to a bacteria that lives in swamps or any body of stagnant water that never freezes. If so, the dreadful infection it causes in horses is called ‘Pythiosis’ and many horses can still die from it even after a lot of treatment and care.
I read some articles about a horse that had been caught in a hurricane, in Florida a few years ago. The horse was standing in water, as the area had flooded. Apparently, down south, there is a bacteria that thrives in swamps, and this horse was infected through a foot cut. The horse was rescued, but unfortunately, after, I think, months of treatment for the infection at an equine hospital, didn’t make out so well. The horse had to undergo surgeries on its foot, and casts were applied. When the last cast was removed, the hoof came off with it
The vets had been so impressed by the horse’s calm personality and patience during his treatment, the way he put up with the pain and enforced confinement, that they decided to try a prosthetic. After a temporary prosthetic was figured out, and it was apparent that the horse was understanding and accepting of it, and wasn’t hesitating to walk on it, they had some prosthetic experts come in, to make ups permanent prosthetic.
This horse now has that prosthetic. He runs about the pasture, goes through all gaits without hesitation. He’s happy!
His owner couldn’t afford all the horse’s treatment, so he gave up ownership to the equine hospital, I think. I don’t know how they funded the treatment, especially when they developed the prosthetic.
This horse is now a therapy horse, doing excellent work with child amputees.
I hope he lives a happy, long life-and I hope that more owners and vets will look to his case. I’m hoping that if more horses are judged ok for a prosthetic, that the technology will improve.
I’m really sorry, but I can’t remember the name of the horse, or where he was treated. All I remember is that he is a quarter horse, that all this happened in Florida and not all that long ago.
I’m crying rite now. This is so sad & makes me so mad! Horseracing neexs to go away. Hoses should only run when they want to (in open fields).
Bless her dear sweet innocent soul thank u for taking care of her x
thank you for your kind heart and taking her in. And showing her love. She was beautiful. It’s so sad she had to go through pain. Your very kind. Hugs and prayers ❤❤
Thank you Laura, for loving her and showing her kindness. Its all we can do, is be there to pick up the pieces after they have been used and abused❤️
My sympathy to you – we always have a special bond with any animal we rescue from dire circumstances. TY for making her last days comforting and loving for Willow.
Animals need more protection from humans
stop these horse races, it is so cruel
These people have no souls. Thank you for giving her days days a time of comfort and love. This absolutely breaks my heart.
Willow experienced care and kindness for the last few months of her 8yrs. on this earth thanks to Laura.
She lived approximately 1/3 of her life span and those years were spent in misery, pain, and then extreme starvation. It is hard to believe there was no accountability for such outrageous cruelty. This fact says nothing good about our society and our laws.
Racing assumes the “right” to use and abuse the horse for a few years of it’s life and then when the horse is no longer useful to the business it takes no responsibility for him – the animal is dumped into a bad situation and there is no accountability.
“Rights” without responsibility /accountability never works and racing is a prime example of this imbalance.
It takes an army to try and right even some of the wrongs of this situation.
The only way to end this horrible overwhelming cruelty is to end racing
This harrowing story should be in every newspaper and magazine to show the public just what the real cost of horse racing is….
None of us will ever forget you, Willow. You made this world a better place with your gentleness.
I agree with you Carol. How can anybody abuse such a precious horse and then neglect it through using it in horse races. If I had a horse like that, I would spoil it and make it part of my family.
Tears! She was beautiful. Thank you for giving her a time to heal and trust before she had to leave. My fervent prayer is that the rotten horse racing industry will fall down and die like the scores of innocent horses it has heartlessly killed. RIP Willow
Thank you for everything you are doing. I never realized these beautiful horses were being so wickedly murdered after people make money gambling over their gift from God. This horse is so beautiful. God bless you for bringing the truth & I support everything you stand for 100%. I promise to spread the message to others. Thank you for loving this horse & taking all the photos. I will never forget Willow. This is completely horrifying.
This horse was so lucky to be loved for even a short time, and the folks who took her in were lucky as well. I just found out about Derek Campana, who started Bionic Pets. He makes prosthetics for animals, including horses and even cows. Someone sent me a video of a horse that was using one of his prosthetic legs. It was amazing. The horse could even run. And his prices do not make such a step unattainable to the average person. I feel like everyone should know that this is an option and that “no leg no horse” isn’t a death sentence. Campana made prosthetics for people but saw such a big need for animals and knew he could help.
I’ve never liked horse racing because I love horses and know that to the owners they are nothing more than a way to make money!
There are people in Willow’s live who allowed this to happen to her. May what happened to her, because those who should have cared for her and did not, happen to them. I don; t know about Karma but apparently Karma is a bitch. If you failed Willow…
You’re an INCREDIBLE HUMAN, Laura, to be with Willow & give her So MUCH LOVE in her short time with you❤️❤️❤️🥰
People who do this to these horses should be put in jail! These races should be put out of business!Hope you people who abuse these horses die of the covid virus!
Laura,
Thank you so much for helping Willow through her difficult journey; you gave her love & peace.
Gina O’Brien, perfectly said. I have said numerous times on this site, I cannot look at pictures of the foals…because it breaks my heart,because I know what kind of life they are in for (literally running for their lives,because,in this ‘industry’ you’re always a step away from slaughter).
Why can’t we destroy the people who do this to these sweet creatures. The people who do this should have the same thing done to them and banned FOREVER from every owning or racing again. RIP sweet Willow.
Laura, thank you for being such a great role model for us all. Willow was lucky to have you!
Im with you, Hector. The tracks need to be shut down. The factory farms where the horses are bred need to be shut down. And the money hungry dickwads that participate in this need a good kick in the pants.
People need to see for themselves what the horse racing industry is really all about & that is money. The horses’ lives mean nothing to them otherwise and are discarded. It’s quite despicable and needs to stop. Now.
I love animals and my heart is braking right now. I hope the people responsible will be punished and
go to jail for a very long time. Laura , thank you for caring, God Bless You !
RIP sweet Willow
To Willow & Laura:
The Horses Prayer (Author Unknown)
Edited by me.
Feed me, water and care for me, and when the days work is done, provide me with shelter, a clean dry bed and a stall wide enough for me to lie down in comfort.
Always be kind to me. Talk to me. Never whip me.
Pet me sometimes, that I may serve you the more gladly and learn to love you.
I cannot tell you when I am thirsty so give me clean, cool water often.
I cannot tell you in words when I am sick, so watch me, that by signs you may know my condition.
And finally when my useful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner to be slowly tortured or starved to death; but take my life in the kindest way.
Laura did everything that the vile people who bred and exploited Willow never did.
I detest horse racing and the parasites in it.
It’s stories like these, and I’ve seen too many of them, that give me the strength to keep fighting against this powerful business that will be shut down.
Crying she deserved many more days
Thank you for loving her.
Rest well, sweetheart. I’m sorry for what was done to you, but thankful you were loved in your final days.
Rest in peace Willow and my heart goes out to your forever owner. For those in the horse racing business I wish they would shut it down. I know there are some wonderful owners out there but there are some evil ones too.
The greediness of man for money will lead him to hell. Thank you Laura and all for giving Willow 230 days of love. May she rest in peace.
Thank you Laura for your kindness and the love you give to your animals god bless you Willow.now we have to go shut down these race tracks where beautiful animals like willow die every day because some idiot wants to make some money.please show me how we can go about shutting down all these race tracks in America.!!!!
God bless you, Laura, for doing everything that could be done to care for Willow in a proper and humane way. She is a beautiful horse that did not deserve to be used, abused or neglected. May Willow rest in peace now and feel no pain. Thank you for sharing her story. There are so many horses callously used and abused by racing. For every horse like Willow that we hear about, there are so many horses that we don’t hear about specifically and I cringe at the thought of what happens to them.
So terribly sad.
Thank you Laura for sharing your love with Willow. RIP beautiful girl.
PLEASE END HORSE RACING TO END THE ABUSE & MISTREATMENT!
Thank God willow had some time being loved and well cared for. Our nations horses are most abused this needs to stop.
This is not just heartbreaking, it is cruelty to animals. There are laws, aren’t there? Why were the owners not prosecuted? Or were they?
I have an unwanted racehorse, he is my 2nd. Cash lived for twenty seven years, over twenty with me he was a gentle giant. Finn is a majestic beauty, not making money, unsound, disguarded. He has years of love and riding to give, he just needed time and not to be forced to jump.
I hate racing, it is a money makers game, if there was a retired racehorse tax on all the betting and profit, that had to reflect the true cost of a long happy life, they would not breed them in the first place.
So sorry it must have been heartbreaking to make that awful decision, at least she was loved by you, and she would have loved you back way more than we ever know
Reblogged this on Armory of the Revolution.
What a beautiful life. People who cannot respect other lives should leave the society and die alone. The society does not need you.
The horse race Industry is just that.
Industry should have no place in the same sentence with horse. It must be ended, and until that day, closely regulated by independent monitors.
How upsetting and disheartening. For humans to abuse animals and not give them proper care is beyond believable. KARMA is a powerful force and will come full circle. RIP sweet Willow, my heart breaks for you and others who suffer at the hands of inhumane humans.
Sorry you were failed Willow.RIP
The people responsible for the starving of this horse must be punished. They are heartless and should be made accountable for such abuse.
god bless you laura. willow found love and peace for a short while. anyone who goes to a race needs to see this.bastards all of them
That ankle is so painful to look at. My heart breaks for this sweet mare and all the others like her. Crippled by racing and forgotten.
Rest In Peace beautiful willow 🌸
Could you elaborate?
Thank you, Laura, for giving Willow love and care.
Thank you for loving her and bring her back to a healthy weight where she could enjoy her albeit short life and to feel loved.
Katrina, Kenneth H. Hutchens was Willow’s breeder AND racing owner for all of her 35 races. I spoke with Hutchens on November 26 about Willow (her JC name, Time for Parading) – he could not have cared less. Not only did he lie, saying she was claimed away from him, he never sent one penny to help with all of the expenses the mare’s care upon her rescue demanded. They don’t care – racehorses are mere tools of the trade to them…if the horses cannot make money, they just want them gone.
what a nightmare
I am heartbroken. I wondered what happened to Willow and hoped she would run free with her buddies for a very long time. A young, beautiful horse abused and dumped by excrements in this horrific industry,
Laura, you are an angel! Thank you for all your love and compassion. Willow will always be with you. RIP sweet soul! We will not forget you 🐴🐴💕
We need more people like Laura. Get rid of the evil humans who use animals for their own profit & don’t care what happens to them. R.I.P. Willow.
You couldn’t have done more for ‘Willow’ . . . . You did your best, your conscience will be clear . . . . tears in my eyes here .
Heartbreaking.
My eyes are filled with tears….as I say thank you for giving her at least a little bit of time to know love
My heart goes out to you in a huge way. For your immeasurable kindness, compassion, and selfless intentions, many thanks. You are an inspiration to us all. God Bless you.
How sad , after you got her back to a good weight again too & looking so well! Just tragic !
This is so sad, I am hurting in my heart for Laura and those who took care of sweet Willow. She deserved more but at least knew love for the last part of her life. RIP Sweet Willow ❤️
Thank you Laura for all that you did for Willow & all the other animals you help by giving them love & hope & so much more.
How could anyone starve, neglect and abuse such a beautiful creature……It’s totally incomprehensible to me.
What a wonderful end to her life you gave her Laura; the care and love she so deservied.
I’m really sorry you didn’t have more time to spend with her. Thinking of you.
God bless you for giving this sweet girl love. And thank you for being with her as she left this earthly world. People like you help to re-instill my faith in human beings. And, that’s unfortunately not easy to do. So, thank you, Laura, for what you gave to Willow.
This just breaks my heart :-(((((( THANK YOU Laura for doing everything you did for Willow!!!!
So very sad. Thank you Laura and rest sweet Willow.
Willow deserved so much love. Thank you Laura for doing your best.
Thank you for loving Willow and showing her kindness and care– this world is too cruel to it’s precious creatures. <3
When will the pursuit of money and competition stop. If you want to win money, win a race, do it to yourself, not innocent animals that you throw away if they can’t make you money, due to injuries you are guilty of causing. They are sweet, loving animals, and majestic; one of the great symbols of America, and you are treating them callously. I know they didn’t want to do this, they are forced. Then they are hurt doing what they are made to do, and you just kill them…….so much disdain for all of you how do this and and support it with going to races and/or betting on each of those poor animals lives each and every race.
So sorry for your loss. That is devastating. Thank you for all you did for her.
Thanks for giving her peace for the remaining of her life. Hard decision to let her go. Peace be with you.
So sad. Used and thrown away. So glad the last 230 days of her life were with love and care. I loath the horse racing world. I hope they all rot in hell for the torment and pain they have forced on these majestic horses. Rest In Peace sweet Willow.
What you need to do is name Willow’s former owner/ ” caretaker” of the poor horse so others will know what great caretakers they were
I HATE horse racing
Thank you for your kind giving and love to Willow and the others. There is a special place in heaven for animals and people like you. Willow is no longer in pain and is running with the ones that went before her.
What a profoundly sad story. Thank you, Laura, for your compassion and for giving Willow love and care to end her life with.
Thank you for loving her & for loving all of these wonderful animals
Rest in Peace, Beautiful ‘WILLOW’. Yes, she knew love and compassion with Laura, her mates, Duke and Bart. My condolences for your loss..
Tragically and unfortunately, many people see animals as one thing. KARMA.