Ruby

Rescued By

Irish Horse Welfare Trust

Story and Images Submitted by Debbie Johnston

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I guess what is so special about Ruby is her spirit and heart.  Until you take an animal from a situation as bad as Rubys you will only begin to understand why there are welfare charities in Ireland and why they need support.  Rubys story starts back almost 7 years ago.  I remember going to my friend's yard who is a volunteer for the IHWT. That night two horses Rose and Ruby were coming in and I wasn't prepared, in fact I was in shock when I saw the skeleton hardly able to walk, stumble down the ramp.  'She might not make it through the night' were the words that rang in my ears as I left the stable.  What stayed with me and what will never leave me is the dead look, the look that said life has beaten me and I might just give up.

From that day on Ruby was burnt into my heart. I fostered her and then it was time to see her to a new home. I often thought of her, until one day a year later, I got a phone call to say Ruby was passing my gate as she has not settled in her new home. I asked them to turn back and let me see her and as they drove into the yard and unloaded the ramp, I knew Ruby would never leave us again. Ruby had been trotted as a yearling and had a very bad fractured skull and has partial vision loss. She is five years with us and is a companion mare, her alias is Joan Collins as she likes the finer things in life and is spoilt rotten. Many more rescue horses have graced my home since but Ruby is my inspiration. Because of Ruby the IHWT is now a huge part of my life and I am an official volunteer.

This photo of Ruby was taken when she was rescued and the top photo was taken recently.