There is a belief among many horse admirers that horses remember everything from the day they were born. I’m not sure how one could verify that belief and must admit I haven’t researched it. But it rings true in my experience.
Before my experience with rescue horses I didn’t have much reason to think about it. When a horse comes into your life in his or her 20’s from a life you know little about..and the few details you do have do not depict a comfortable life….the horse’s responses to the new environment draw more attention.
Sheldon is a good example. He was found wandering and abandoned…desperately thin. (He’s a very easy keeper, seems to put on weight just looking at food, which suggests he was out there on his own for some time.) When I put the bucket of feed and then the hay in his feeder twice daily, it never fails. He dives into the bucket, grabs a mouthful of senior feed and then sticks his nose in the hay, seemingly to make sure it’s really there.
He has been here now for a few years and still he seems so relieved to have food available. He is such a sweet guy it’s hard to imagine someone just dumping him off and leaving him on his own. Beyond cruel. I try not to judge since I don’t know the circumstances that would put someone in the position to do something like that.
And Spirit: apparently her owners moved away and left the horses. She’s a sweet tempered horse, but always a little worried, pacing back and forth. Wonder what her memories are?