Unbridled Love

“Almost Home,” is a velvety instrumental recording featuring piano and acoustic guitar. With the complement of ambient sounds of nature from the Smoky Mountains woven into the tune, it becomes captivating. But it isn’t the music or cheery twitter of songbirds that holds the listener spellbound. It is the horses.  

The horses, hitched to an old-fashioned wagon, are ambling down a gravel path in Cades Cove, their hooves tapping out a gentle rhythm. Nostril-fluttering snorts and the jangle of harness combine with the slow and steady hoofbeats, and as the song drifts toward conclusion when the horses are almost home, the soothing notes and footfalls rise again to blend into a natural, uplifting symphony.

The horse’s power to elevate the human spirit—in this case without even being seen—is nothing short of amazing, and the range of emotions they elicit is equally remarkable. We are stunned by their power and speed, invigorated by the spirit of wildness and freedom they evoke, and inspired by their sweetness, compassion, and devotion. They awe us with their elegance and unrivaled natural agility. And like an elixir, horses have the power to heal wounds, visible and invisible. But sometimes it is the horses that need healing.

Cathi, a Tennessee Walking Horse, was 15 years old when she came to Horse Haven of Tennessee in Knoxville. She was pregnant, blind in one eye, and her hair, once a lustrous black, was a tangle of waste and debris. Her emaciated body exposed a virtual roadmap of sharp curves and bony angles that spoke of unthinkable horrors. Still, despite all Cathi had experienced, her dark, soulful eyes flickered with hope.

She was brought to Horse Haven in May, 2015 with 28 other horses—about half the number seized by authorities from a farm in middle Tennessee the previous month. Three other mares were pregnant but only Cathi delivered successfully; Hard Knox was born about a month after Cathi arrived.

Horse Haven’s equine manager, Stephanie Solomon said, “Knox had some issues, including difficulty standing which required supporting him while he nursed. Fortunately, there was time for Cathi to get pre-natal nutrition so she could feed him. In spite of what Cathi’s gone through, she is a gentle mare and loves to be petted! And Knox is a healthy, happy and big boy!” 

“When Cathi came to our barn, she became a favorite of our staff and volunteers almost immediately. She didn’t feel well, but was so sweet natured,” said Mary Beth Roberts, development director. “Unlike several of the other horses, Cathi wasn’t skittish. When called, she would come to us, expecting—and getting—scratches and kisses. One day shortly after Cathi’s arrival, I was having a particularly bad day. I walked out to her paddock, but didn’t call to her, just stood at the fence feeling sorry for myself. She walked over, sniffed my face and nuzzled me. My day immediately improved!”

Everyone at Horse Haven has grown attached to Cathi and Knox—just as they do every rescue—but they’re ready for adoption, but only as a pair until Knox is weaned.

Nina Margetson, operations director, is the founder of Horse Haven. A long-standing animal welfare advocate, Nina had been aware of the great need for an equine shelter for situations of abandonment, confiscation or emergencies. Horse Haven doesn’t confiscate the animals; that’s done by county law enforcement, but once seized, the staff picks up the animals and provides care and rehabilitation at no cost to any county in Tennessee.

Horse Haven was founded in 1999 to advocate for, care for, shelter and rehabilitate neglected and abused equine. It is the oldest and largest equine welfare organization in Tennessee, and as of Sept 1, 2015, it had rescued more than 900 animals. Horse Haven is operated at capacity, but a second facility in middle Tennessee and a network of “holding facilities” help ease the burden. 

Nina admits, “We can’t save them all, but most of the animals we’ve nursed back to health have been adopted and are living in safe, forever homes. A few are at Mane Support in Maryville, where they are helping children cope with grief.”

Far too often, horses and other equine end up in rescue facilities like Nina’s. “Many problems arise simply because owners don’t know any better. They buy a horse thinking it can fend for itself on an acre of land with no human assistance. But it doesn’t work that way. Horses require our attention, and they can live 30 years or more, so it’s a lifetime commitment.”

The rescued animals are hungry for love. They may require medical attention, but sometimes food, water and shelter will save them.

“We do everything we can to heal bodies and spirits and get them re-homed as quickly as possible,” Nina said. “But more often than not, before they are ready to leave our barn, others are waiting to take their place. This is our business, but it’s also our calling. Our love for horses put us here, but we wish we lived in a world where we were not needed.”

Barefoot and happy

About a hundred miles from Horse Haven, in northeast Tennessee, Jessica Johnson and Lauren Smith are helping horses in a different way. In the small community of Church Hill, their eight Tennessee Walking Horses graze in lush pastures dotted with red barns and surrounded by white fences that curve with the rolling countryside. The idyllic setting is where Brady was buried two years ago.

When Brady, also a Tennessee Walking Horse, died after suffering from a chronic disorder, Jessica and Lauren were devastated and began researching the condition which cost Brady his life. This led them into the barefoot movement.

Jessica and Lauren have been friends since kindergarten and horse lovers even longer. “I’ll never forget being led around on a horse at my great uncle’s farm,” Jessica said. “I could barely hold up three fingers to tell someone how old I was, but if I’d been able to articulate my feelings back then, I would have said that I was in love! These days, I’m awestruck as I watch my 6-year-old daughter, Riley, control the huge beasts with a simple command or gentle movement.”

Lauren recalls being totally mesmerized by the size and beauty of a team of Clydesdales at Kentucky Horse Park when she was 5. “I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t totally fascinated by horses.”

Everything changed for them when Brady was euthanized.

“Brady belonged to a dear friend of ours and we’d known and loved that horse for years,” said Lauren. “We’d known about his chronic problem with founder, or laminitis, but still were deeply affected by his death. It’s a horrible inflammation that can cause lameness—or even worse—if not treated quickly and aggressively. Brady’s death changed our lives and our focus.”

They couldn’t imagine one of their beloved horses suffering the same fate so they started digging for answers. They used farriers occasionally, but had been shoeing and trimming their own horses off and on for about 10 years, so they were familiar with hoof health issues. They took special notice when their research into the methods taught by pioneers in the barefoot movement, Pete Ramey and Gil Goodin, indicated metal shoes might be harmful.

The more they studied, the more they recognized the benefits of barefoot horses. When they realized there was hope, even in dire cases like Brady’s, off the metal shoes came, and they started their formal education in natural hoof care at the Equine Sciences Academy.

Today, they’re combining their love of horses with a business venture called A Natural Hoof. In public demonstrations, with clients, and on their website and Facebook page, they promote the barefoot theory. They trim hooves into a Mustang roll which replicates the hooves horses would have if they were “self-trimming” like wild Mustangs that travel many miles a day over various terrains as they forage for food. 

“In changing from shod to barefoot, a transition period may be required.” Jessica said. “Sometimes we suggest Easy Boots to help in the conversion, but the horse’s foot will usually adapt quite quickly by toughening and becoming thicker, just like our feet do if we go barefoot.”

They contend the benefits of barefoot include improved blood flow, strong hoof walls, greater shock absorption, and less tripping because the horses can actually feel where their hooves are. Barefoot versus shod generates lively discussions, and since an owner is the horse’s only advocate, the decision ultimately rests with them.

Jessica and Lauren agree horseshoes might bring good luck—especially if nailed over the door and the opening turned upward—and that there might be circumstances where metal shoes are appropriate, especially for corrective situations, but they say they’d only use metal shoes if all barefoot options failed.

They often reference the success of the mounted patrol in Houston, Texas. There, some three dozen barefoot horses work eight-to-ten hour days on downtown streets. When they transitioned the horses to barefoot, farrier costs went down and so did overall vet bills. That might have been happenstance, but Jessica and Lauren believe that improving a horse’s feet improves its overall health.

When asked if exceptional strength is required in their male-dominated profession, Jessica said, “We’d love to be stronger, but if someone picks their horse’s hooves frequently—or just lifts up its legs occasionally—and the horse behaves, then extraordinary strength is not necessary. My 6-year-old actually picks the dirt out of the feet of her gentle mare. But, if you’re working on a horse that doesn’t get attention, or is new to being trimmed, then you’ll need to hang on to a jerking leg.”

“In the end, it doesn’t matter how strong you are, or how much you love the animal you’re working on,” said Jessica. “If a thousand pound horse doesn’t want to pick up its foot, you’re just out of luck.”

Equine therapy

Horse lovers who have the privilege of working with horses on a daily basis consider themselves very fortunate. A few miles from Church Hill, one woman’s career choice combines her love of the animals with her desire to help others. 

A sign on the gate at Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Kingsport, Tennessee reads: “Private Property, No Horsin’ Around.” When Sherri Russell, executive and programs director drives through the gate, that sign—posted by her husband J.R.—always brings a smile, because at Small Miracles, horsin’ around is encouraged. In fact, it’s a requirement!

“There’s something about horses and their God-given intuitive ability to connect with us,” Sherri said. “These loving and non-judgmental creatures don’t worry about the unpredictability of life. They live and love in the moment, and that’s a powerful attraction for humans.”

Sherri was a horse lover long before she was riding doubles with a childhood friend. For her, working around horses and ponies all day while helping others live happier, healthier lives is as good as it gets.

She started as a volunteer for Small Miracles in 2007, and when J.R. retired from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, he also joined the staff. He is responsible for overseeing the organization’s buildings, acreage, and herd.

The “Miracle Herd” consists of 13 horses and ponies specially selected for their temperament. Regardless of the number, or names, or breeds, the animals have been instrumental in strengthening hundreds of minds, bodies, and souls for over 20 years.

Small Miracles is a Christian-based, non-profit corporation that offers several equine-assisted programs to a diverse group of individuals with physical, emotional, social, cognitive and other challenges, and is a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. PATH prescribes safety, professional and program guidelines. All instructors, including Sherri, are PATH certified.

Sherri recalls the time when one of her volunteers became a student.

“The spring session was in full swing and I had just spoken by phone with Bea, one of our volunteers. Bea was cancelling her commitment for that afternoon. I wish she’d been here as she might have avoided a terrible automobile accident. Everyone was shocked to learn this vibrant young girl had sustained massive injuries. Her condition was critical, but by God’s grace she pulled through and was transferred to an Atlanta facility specializing in traumatic brain injuries.”

After months in Atlanta, Bea was able to come home. Sherri and J.R. attended a benefit dinner for Bea hosted by the community at a local high school.

“When J.R. and I walked into the cafeteria, Bea started shouting, ‘J.R., Small Miracles!’ We were delighted, but a little surprised at our welcome. Her parents ran over to us, arms outstretched. After a tearful embrace, they told us that while in rehab, Bea remembered Small Miracles and the names of all our horses, but that most of her other memories had been lost.”   

Eventually Bea was cleared to participate in the therapeutic horseback riding program to help in her cognitive and physical recovery. She showed marked improvement cognitively, as well as in her balance and trunk control, fine and gross motor skills, coordination, flexibility and strength. Her physical recovery was aided by the horse’s gait which mimics the human gait.  

Bea continued working with her horse, and managed to graduate from high school on time, earn her associate’s degree, get a driver’s license, obtain a job in her degreed field of study, and she’s enrolled at a local university. “Being involved in her recovery was a special gift and one I’ll treasure,” Sherri said.

In the Positive Youth Development Program (PYD), staff and volunteers mentor students and guide them toward enhanced personal development through therapeutic, educational and community service opportunities. Some 200 students in this program equates to approximately 900 direct service hours.

Jess, a student in PYD, was angry and stumbling through life. With some family members incarcerated, she felt destined to follow in their footsteps. But that was before Jess met Violet. Violet is a gentle, loving mare and she accepted Jess as others had not; unconditionally. Their special bond allowed this broken girl to pick up the pieces of her life. “Jess learned to work through her anger,” Sherri said. “After several meticulous grooming sessions, she had learned to love herself and Violet. She told me she finally saw potential for a brighter future. She said Violet was her lifeline!”

One of Sherri’s greatest thrils is being involved with Horses Empower Heroes Program. Seeing veterans find their way to a positive life through unmounted experiential activities and therapies has been a humbling, life-changing experience.

“As the veteran spends one-on-one time with his horse he begins to feel peace and calm and then strength and confidence are restored,” Sherri said. One veteran said that doing something as effortless as leaning on his horse, feeling the animal’s warmth and gentle breathing helped him acknowledge his right to be alive.

All Small Miracles’ programs try to build self-esteem and positive life skills. Sherri has seen participants make great strides toward reaching their highest potential alongside and astride a horse. “We design activities around the horse to achieve specific goals. Horses are great motivators and they make everyone feel special and loved.”

Need Some Equine Time?

Step Up

Equine therapeutic facilities like Small Miracles (small-miracles.org) and rescue operations like Horse Haven of Tennessee (horsehaventn.org) always need volunteers—for a variety of tasks: office help, grounds and fence maintenance, barn chores, horse care, fundraising/special events assistance — for virtually any time commitment. No time? These facilities depend on generous donors for support: money, supplies and services. Horse Haven, Small Miracles, and similar facilities offer volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, plus many other ways to get involved. You don’t have to adopt a horse or be certified to volunteer. All you need is love. And perhaps a carrot or two.

Saddle Up

Enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains on horseback. Four riding stables inside the Park offer guided rides from mid-March through late November on over 500 miles of trails:  

• Cades Cove, near Townsend, TN 865.448.9009
• Smokemont, near Cherokee, NC 828.497.2373
• Smoky Mountain, near Gatlinburg, TN 865.436.5634
• Sugarlands, near Gatlinburg, TN 865.436.3535

Five drive-in horse camps provide ready access to horse trails in the Park for those who have their own horses: Anthony Creek/Cades Cove, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Towstring are open from April through October.

Riders are encouraged to obtain the Park’s trail map listing horse-designated trails and rules and regulations for backcountry riding. The $1 maps are available at Park visitor centers or by calling 865.436.0120. The map may also be downloaded at the national park’s website. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/grsm.