Every horse or other equine has value and deserves to be treated humanely, regardless of their age or situation. Purchasing a horse is a lifetime commitment to the horse’s wellbeing and should not be entered into lightly.
It is for this reason that, in the last 15 years, horse rescue organizations have increased in number. One such organization is the Aiken Equine Rescue located outside Aiken, SC. They rescue horses that have been abused, neglected, and starved. They work with racetracks to find homes for off-the-track thoroughbreds. Some horses remain on the property in their “AARP aka Villages” pastures to live out their senior lives with other senior horses, but the main purpose is to find new homes for as many as possible. They are given second chances with new, loving homes through an adoption process. This makes room for another horse, in need of that second chance.
This story is about one of those horses. He arrived at the Aiken Equine Rescue farm in November 2020, close to Thanksgiving, so they named him Pilgrim. He was a severe neglect and starvation case.
In addition to being extremely thin, Pilgrim had a bacterial infection known as rain rot over his entire body. There were open sores similar to human pressure ulcers on prominent bony areas and large scabbed areas. Starvation causes muscle wasting, hypothermia, weakness, decreased wound healing and immunity, and gastrointestinal problems, which often lead to colic. There were dental problems requiring a special diet and hoof deterioration requiring special care.
Mentally, Pilgrim was fearful of humans and difficult to handle. The staff and volunteers worked tirelessly, offering kindness and building his trust. Dental problems made it difficult for him to eat traditional horse treats. Strangely, he developed a taste for bananas. It took months, but eventually his personality began to change and his gentle soul emerged. He found a place with the other senior horses and settled in.
This was not to be the end of the story for Pilgrim. Second chances happen frequently at the Rescue and his was on the way.
Jessie Webster was at cheerleading camp when she began with headaches, jaw pain, insomnia, and difficulty eating. She was diagnosed with sinusitis and treated accordingly. Her symptoms got worse and while trying to negotiate a jump on her horse, she had double vision. This time, she was taken to the Medical University of SC in Charleston and admitted.
Four days later, the doctors told her parents that she was in stage four of a type of lymphoma. She needed immediate treatment via chemotherapy. At a time when most 14 year old girls are excited about wearing makeup, buying new clothes, gossiping with girlfriends, and noticing boys, Jessie Webster was facing a diagnosis of cancer. Not just any cancer, but a type of lymphoma that is fast growing and creating havoc in her entire body. Without timely treatment, it is rapidly fatal. Treatment involves intensive chemotherapy to the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Facing chemotherapy instead of going to school or spending time with her friends, Jessie and her family had to move quickly to counteract what was happening to her body.
Jessie was in the hospital for 8 months, most of which she doesn’t remember due to heavy sedation. The treatment was devastating to her body. While chemotherapy will often slow or stop cancer cells, it also attacks normal cells. It is a two edged sword. There is no GPS to guide it past the normal cells. In her case, the chemotherapy was successful in stopping the cancer’s progress, but it damaged her thoracic spine. She would be in a wheelchair indefinitely.
At home, waiting for her return, was her beloved horse. She was an avid rider since age 4, participating in shows, and riding with her friends. Her horse’s name was also Jesse. He and Jessie had a bond that was unbroken. When she was able to come home, he was not afraid of her wheelchair. Her parents would lift her onto him, so she could ride.
"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man” (that is, riding a horse improves a person’s mental or physical health). This is often credited to Winston Churchill (1874-1965), but the saying was popular before he was born and continues to be true today.
As is the case with beloved animals, Jesse passed away in July 2021, and Jessie felt his loss deeply. She worked through her grief and was determined not to live her life without a horse. People don’t understand that loving riding and being near horses is in your blood. Time spent in the saddle is never wasted. There is no fear of these majestic animals, only respect. It doesn’t go away just because your life situation changes.
Jessie knew she was happiest around horses, so she began to search the internet for another horse. She found Pilgrim on the Aiken Equine Rescue site. He reminded her so much of her horse Jesse that she began trying to convince her parents to let her have another horse. It was a tough sell, but in the end, they gave in.
When she met Pilgrim at the rescue, he came right to her. Their bond was immediate. Pilgrim’s reaction to Jessie reaching up to him from her wheelchair revealed he was the absolute natural horse for her. There was no fear, only love. The adoption procedure went smoothly and Pilgrim came to his forever home with Jessie in November 2021.
They began their journey of second chances together.
Currently, Pilgrim lives at a stable and in a huge pasture with Marsh Tacky horses for playmates. The owners of the stable are working with him so he will soon be ready for Jessie to hop aboard and ride again. The highlight of her day is spending time with him, feeding him horse treats shaped like banana chips. He likes to lick her hand which is his way of saying he is happy with her.
Jessie’s parents are very supportive of her love of Pilgrim. Her mother, Ann, drives her to the stable to visit with Pilgrim. It is obvious in their interaction that mother and daughter are dedicated to him and his well being. They are currently waiting to move into a new home which in the near future will include a stable for Pilgrim.
Diane Sharp
AIKEN, SC
