Rasdonn: A Testament to the Heart of the Arabian Horse

We expected to see something bad when he arrived, having already been alerted that the Arabian stallion had been badly abused and neglected, but nothing had prepared us for what we saw when the trailer was opened and we first laid eyes upon Rasdonn. There is never anything that can prepare you for the horror and abuse that we, as humans, are capable of handing out to the animals that we share our lives with; dogs, cats, birds, reptiles - even horses. All of them are at our mercy and, while most of us ensure our animal friends have proper pet care, food, and fresh water - there are many out there who will provide their four-legged friends with little or no shelter, hurt them, or withhold fresh food and water. Animal abuse is a sad, but common, occurrence.

He stood there, head lowered and sides heaving, as he struggled for breath. We thought that his odd manner of standing in the trailer, legs splayed way out to the sides - rather like a giraffe bending down to drink - was due to his weakened state, but we would later learn the horrific tale of how he was trapped in a horse trailer that had come unhitched and flipped down into the ditch off the expressway. It had rolled over several times and they'd had to cut him out of the trailer to save him - a fear that would forever remain whenever he entered a horse trailer. Of course, we would come to learn a lot about Rasdonn. Stories about how he was shipped with llamas, who chewed off all his hair. Tales of him in happier days. His son, Darth Vader. The stories would seem endless...but not this day.

We had to help him out of the trailer because he was too weak to walk and, as he stood there in the yard, lank and listless, we had to wonder how he was ever going to make it. Even our veterinarian took one look at the 20-year old horse and just shook his head sadly. Of course, we'd never been ones to give up on any horse. While some people might scoff at the idea of horses as pets, we considered them part of our family. Every horse deserved to be happy, comfortable and well-cared for. Rasdonn was escorted to an open and airy stall, where the floor was covered in deep, soft wood shavings and he had plenty of fresh hay and cold water... It must have seemed like heaven to him.

All we knew about him, at the time, was that his previous owner had passed on and whoever had been placed in charge of the Arabian stallion, had him boarded out at a Quarter Horse farm where he was, basically, forgotten. Meanwhile, the farm owners were in a quandary when faced with an Arabian stallion. He was vocal and prone to guttural squeals when other horses moved past his stall. Rasdonn was animated and far more lively than they were used to and, not understanding him, they feared the Arab horse. In time, his stall would be completely enclosed, so there was no way he could see or interfere with the other horses that would pass by his stall. Thinking him vicious, they boarded him up so that the only openings were a small hole to dump feed or hay in his stall, and a hole where you could slide a hose through and fill up his water bucket... when they bothered.

When they did have to go in the stall, he was taught to fear the whip and would cower in the back corner - a habit we were never able to cure him from though, with time, we at least taught him not to turn hindquarters on us, preparing to kick. If you moved too quickly, he would literally throw himself against the back of the stall in an effort to escape, so we can only guess that the beatings that he endured were horrific.

If they were anything like the degree of neglect he suffered, they were truly sadistic.

Rasdonn was so emaciated that you could take your hand like you were going to do a karate chop, lay it between his ribs, and his ribs stuck out further than your hand on either side. He was literally a walking skeleton. Our vet even offered to euthanize him for us, but we were determined to try and save him. It would be a long, hard road but we were willing, if he had the heart.

It was a long battle, but Rasdonn proved he had heart and then some. Not only did he gain weight, but he regained his spirit and his fire. At the age of 24, he would be publicly recognized for his beauty and courage, overcoming such odds. He would also go on to sire several beautiful foals for us, so that his legacy might continue. Most importantly, he lived long enough to learn to trust again and to give us the opportunity to love this magnificent and beautiful Arabian horse.

Rasdonn passed away at the age of 27 years, when the respiratory problems he gained from all those years locked in the darkness finally got the best of him. He waited for me to get home from school and I held his head in my lap as he slowly left our world and galloped off into a new existence. The thought of what he endured and what he overcame still brings tears to my eyes.

Our old man will always be remembered. His heart was strong enough to endure and ours is strong enough to carry his memory. We love you, Razzy.