Just a foal in a neglected herd…. fending for themselves with barely enough food to feed everyone, waters bone dry or frozen ice. Fencing coming a part, curious and small enough to escape through but dangerous enough for prey animals like coyotes to get them. Deceased foals in the back pasture. This information broke our hearts and Coco’s Heart team came together and thought- “how can we help?”
A home and barn owner who had recently lost a spouse of many years who life revolved around these miniature horses. They were once very upkept and maintained SHOW quality registered miniature horses. They are rumors a stallion on site even made it to the national show. Their herd was so important to them. But when the spouse passed away, everything changed and the horses were a sad memory that developed into a hoarding and neglectful environment.
With some discussion, the living spouse recognized this little foal needed help. Luckily, 2023 was a mild winter but we didn’t know that in December. We were wondering when the multiple feet of snow was coming, when the negative double degree wind chill would come. We could not let him be another deceased foal in the back pasture.
Two members of our team went and met the barn owner. They were willing to give him away- they knew it was his best chance. They saw the curved legs, the long hooves, the matted hair, and the filth. This foal had never been handled before. He hadn’t even known what human touch was. With some patience, he willingly went with our team. We knew right away how special he was with how kind and trusting he was.
He was SO tiny.
Smaller than a golden retriever, maybe about the size of a beagle for reference. He allowed us to pick him up and he was loaded in the back of a Ford Expedition. One team member got in the drivers seat, the other in back holding onto the lead rope and halter we were able to put on him.
He didn’t make a peep on his way to his quarantine facility nearby. He looked at us, he looked out the window, he pooped…. but no signs of distress. It’s like he knew… he just knew. He needed a second chance and he got it.
Then the question came up- but what will his name be?
We threw out some fun names, serious names, some “punny” ones too. But then we remembered one of our team members couldn’t be there with us that day as she had hoped to be because she had just lost the father figure in her life, her beloved grandpa Rick.
We knew then and there…
Richard
That would be his name and he’s been Richard ever since. He has gotten some nicknames over time- he is sometimes known as Rich-Man, Richie, Troublemaker, GoofBall.
