I have been crying... every day... for a week.
Don’t worry! They've been happy tears.
Our horses, Drifter (19) and Rocket (25) have been part of our family since they were two years old and our kids learned to ride on them.
I planned they would be part of our family forever and never dreamed they would leave our farm. When I said, “God bless our veterans”, I didn’t know He had a plan of how to make that happen.
Two months ago. I advertised a three-year-old horse named Frank for sale nationwide. A woman staying in a hotel one mile from our farm saw Frank on the internet. She fell in love him. She said, "He will be for my fiancé, a two-time Purple Heart Recipient. Troy's only ridden about four times."
I said, "Eh, this makes me too nervous. Frank is only three. I’ve had two brain injuries myself, This is not the horse you need."
I learned she was a Board Member at Eagle's Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. A 132-acre working ranch with residential treatment programs that address trauma, substance abuse, and addiction. Since 2011, they have helped over a thousand vets. Currently, 74 are full-time residents. The nonprofit is raising funds for an indoor arena to expand the horse therapy program.
Even though I love them, I realized it was selfish to keep them here as lawn ornaments. Drifter and Rocket can't barrel race and can't rope anymore. They just stand around, get fat, and watch me work with the younger horses. They have so much love to give and want to “work”.
My dad, an Army veteran, gave me Drifter when he stopped riding. I am veteran, I benefited from horses after a brain injury, and I’m the parent of an alcoholic. I makes so much sense to donate them.
Drifter and Rocket will be loved and adored at Eagle’s Healing Nest. I can’t imagine a more perfect retirement for them.
https://www.eagleshealingnest.org/
