Born May 28, 1993
Rescued January 28, 2007
Adopted July 11, 2007
Passed January 23, 2008
Chief was a prime example of the purpose of Hanaeleh- to take in horses who were threatened with slaughter due to no real fault of their own. Chief was a triple-registered, absolutely gorgeous Tennessee Walker who had lost one eye due to a tumor. His owner abandoned him at a stable after a divorce, refusing to pay for his board. After several months of being left in a paddock without human interaction, Chief became almost impossible to catch. He was going to be sent to an auction to pay for the back board, but the stable manager was certain with his behavior he would be only be sold for slaughter, so she contacted Hanaeleh. Chief was rehabilitated and greatly loved by Lori B., who worked with Chief for hours, getting him over his fear of pretty much everything. The fact that he had an eye missing did not help, but Lori did not care, she loved him so much. Chief colicced during the October, 2007 fires and, while he had surgery, he developed complications and continued to colic. Lori B. finally had to make the difficult decision to help him pass.
I have a black and white TWH, born the same year, that only has one eye. This story really moved me. Chief was so lucky to have Lori B. Horses don’t know why people do what they do. You guys are doing really great things for the horses lucky enough to find their way to you.