I am deeply saddened that one of our horses, dear 11-year old Sammy, passed away this week. After two blissful years at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, Sammy’s body was breaking down from the injuries he sustained before his rescue, we had to make the kindest decision for him, while the hardest on all of us.

Two years ago, Sammy entered our lives, stepping from an SPCA trailer, calling joyously as he ran to his friends – Apollo, Amani and Crockett. I shall miss the sight of him gently grazing nearby, roaming the sanctuary with his friends, and coming to our door to ask for apples – the best of times.

When he was younger, Sammy was found with a broken fetlock, abandoned near the mines. Virginia SPCA rescued him, fixed his fetlock as best possible, and gave him a nice paddock where he lived for nine years. Then, two years ago, they had an emergency seizure of three horses being cruelly treated in a local township. With only temporary space for three more horses, they asked if the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary could take Apollo, Amani and young foal, Crockett. We said yes, and the three came to ADIWS, but there was a twist.

That evening as our new horse residents grazed at ADIWS, we received a call from the SPCA. Sammy was distressed, he was missing his friends. We said “yes, of course he must come with his friends”, so the next morning, the SPCA horse box was back. Sammy stepped out and as he turned and saw the others he called out, ran to them, rubbing noses with Apollo in greeting. Our gentle giant found his forever home.

Each day the horses would roam our 455-acre sanctuary and come into the paddock at night. The sight of the four galloping across the hillside was magical. Freed from tethers and brutal hobbling, they were living as horses should, running free.

Watch the video of Sammy’s arrival and, best of all, the four horses charging across the hillside at ADIWS, truly running free.

However, several months ago, Sammy’s fetlock began to break down. We provided regular veterinary attention and restricted his activity, at first bringing him in earlier than the others, and eventually keeping him in the paddock in the new Non-Predator Reception Area, where he would be joined by his three friends every evening, until morning. By March, we realized dear Sammy’s time would be limited, as the veterinarian said with the right care, he could have a few more quality months. Sadly, it was not as long as we had hoped, and Sammy’s overall health deteriorated.  We knew it was time to say “goodbye”.

All of us who have animals in our lives, especially those that have be saved from abuse, know that it can be the hardest decision to make to end their suffering and let them pass with dignity, but it was the kindest thing to do for Sammy. He was loved.

We informed Virginia SPCA who kindly said “Thank you for the beautiful life Sammy lived with ADI. We will always be grateful.”

These powerful animals are often treated as beasts of burden, run to exhaustion for ‘sport’, and used in circuses, they suffer in stoic silence.  If you would like to make a donation to care for the horses at ADIWS in memory of Sammy, please click here: US $, CA $ | £, Euros, Rand.

We will never forget Sammy, his strong, calm presence, and the sight of him running with his herd, grazing amongst the flowers, or wading through the lake.  Our thanks to all the ADI supporters who helped give this gentle, battered horse a chance at a new life, running free for his final years.