Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!

—Theophile Gautier

The Story of Chancho

Being a native Californian, and having been blessed with a horsey family, I grew up with horses and a love of all animals. Upon hitting the teen years, I chose a Mustang sports car, and sold what I thought at the time would be my last horse.

Twelve years later I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The love of horses had remained close to my heart, though, and I got the "itch", about the same time I bought a home with horse property in southern California.

After traveling to 11 states and riding seemingly thousands of horses, I thought I might not find my love again, but behold a miracle. There in The Horsetrader was a small ad for a horse rescue - an older Peruvian Paso - in San Jacinto.

My heart jumped. I could barely dial the number, but the next day - despite the rain - I trekked off to meet this mystery horse. As soon as I saw him I knew he was to be in my life. He was a beautiful "Peanut Butter" Primitive Dun with Zebra stripes and a freckled blaze. Just what I'd been searching for! And I needed a calm gaited horse due to my disease.

The rescuer told me of abuse suffered and an unknown past, but I didn't care: He was to be mine. He was not perfect, but I thought, neither am I.

Three weeks and a barn full of hay later my Chancho came home to me. What a wonderful horse! I was rusty and nervous but Chancho was calm and sweet, although a little distant. Normal, I figured as we didn't really know each other yet.

Weeks turned to months and he grew more despondent and his pain was worsening. The vets in the area were stumped and my good friend, an Equine Physical Therapist, was growing frustrated with his limp and lack of response to ANYTHING.

Much later that night (maybe 3 am) I searched the Internet for some answers to Chancho's lackluster attitude and stiffening front legs. There I found Charlene Boyd, an Angel on the World Wide Web. Her site grabbed me and spoke to me - I became very hopeful.

The next morning I made the call that changed our lives. After a brief chat with Charlene, she said she would be back with me in a few days, Monday to be exact. I had to wait over the entire long weekend!!

Monday Morning came with a roar. My Chancho actually seemed happy to see me and nuzzled my hair as I stroked him, weeping and praying for him to be better. It was amazing. My little horse that had been so far away seemed to open up before my eyes.

That afternoon Charlene called and told my a very sad and lonely story about my little buckskin. She told me that he wanted a blanket, and wanted to be important. This most noble of steeds felt worthless and abandoned by everyone who had come before.

Charlene assured him I am here for the long haul, and I only want for him to be pain-free and happy. Chancho told her about the pain and what he wanted done. He was willing though, to love again. As usual, I wept.

That was two weeks ago and Chancho now acts like a horse, not the far away robot he was before. This little buckskin came into my life to show and teach me things, and I hope in return I can relieve him of worry and pain.

If it were not for the compassion of Charlene, Chancho's physical therapist and I had both felt he might not be long with us. I'm happy to say that Chancho loves his blanket, and his lameness is getting very much under control. He is perky and loveable.

With my disease it's sometime very painful for me to do the things Chancho needs, but now I have a greater desire to make his life easy and safe. We ride everyday, only 30 minutes to an hour, but he and I are getting stronger together. And I know that together we can come out on top! Watch out world here we come!

Thanks, Charlene, for everything. Thank you for your compassion and kindness and your God-given ability to talk to the animals. If there was ever a miracle case, Chancho's is one indeed.

To those out there, Please do not hesitate to try new things to help out those who cannot ask. It could save their lives.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Jamie T. & Chancho
Orange County, CA