The wounds on this small pony’s body and the melancholy in his eyes suggested he had never experienced the warmth of compassion or love, and he almost never had the opportunity to. No one can say for sure what Tobias’ life had been like.
Fortunately, Tobias is aware of it now.
Kirk Hance and his family recently moved onto a small farm to have more room for the animals they rescue to roam and play. With that extra space, they soon decided to welcome horses into their lives as well, and set out to find any that needed saving. That’s when Kirk stumbled upon the sad reality of horse auction sites, where less desirable horses are often sent to slaughter.
“I honestly didn’t know that such places existed. I showed my wife the site and it really got to us,” Kirk told The Dodo. “My wife spotted both a little paint mare and this little pony; both were being shipped at the end of the day if nobody could step up. We just jumped immediately and purchased them.”
That’s how little Tobias and his larger companion came into their lives.
“I honestly didn’t know that such places existed. I showed my wife the site and it really got to us,” Kirk told The Dodo. “My wife spotted both a little paint mare and this little pony; both were being shipped at the end of the day if nobody could step up. We just jumped immediately and purchased them.”
That’s how little Tobias and his larger companion came into their lives.
Both animals show signs of abuse and were first wary of their new family members, but the pony was particularly reclusive. “He simply sort of gazed at the ground because he was ill. He was very sad, I’m sure of it “Kirk said.
Tobias was reluctant to allow anyone to approach him out on their pasture. Kirk chose to simply stand by and observe, letting the pony get to know him in his own time. Perhaps for the first time, someone had showed Tobias empathy and sympathy. And it turns out that straightforward action was what he had been looking for all along.
Kirk could sense what that embrace meant for Tobias — and it meant so much for him as well.
“He melted my heart,” Kirk said. “I was taken aback at how people can be so mean to an animal that just wants to be loved.”
It’s been just a few days now for Tobias and his other companion in their new home, but they both are beginning to realize that their lives of pain and sadness are now behind them forever. And though they still have some more opening up to do, they’re getting plenty of encouragement from a family who is eager to see them blossom.
As he reflected on the choice that first motivated them to save these creatures, Kirk said, “My five kids go out everyday and love on them, along with me and my wife:
“We would only have done it sooner if we could change one thing. Too many helpless creatures are being thrown out like rubbish.”
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