It all begun like this:
On that dark night he arrived, black and startled and very scared during a 24 hour transport ride
from Cairns to Gold Coast. But this was the magic moment we had been waiting for, he had
finally arrived, a 2 year old Black Quarter Horse, our dream comes true! He would join a retired
old race horse in trail riding and be a great companion on 7 acres.
Then this crucial event happened:
Bad things usually come in 3’s and this time was no different.
The old thoroughbred passed away after years of friendship and trust. The owners had to sell
their property and the marriage comes to a breakdown. Tyson was sent to agistment with 15
other horses with lush grass, fresh water and friends, but not so happy. Every time the owner
visited him he would be standing in the same place, not with the other horses and so thirsty. He
just did not want to move – Tyson had so much anxiety within and like his owner, he was having
a breakdown.
Weeks passed and Tyson was losing weight, he just seemed so sad and a yummy tub of mixed
chaff and pellets and carrots arrived, only to have him run straight past the owner when she
called and ignore the offering.
The vet was called to check his condition and eyesight, oh my gosh, the horse had been blind for
the past 2 years! No one knew. Leaving the horse in a 20 acre paddock was not the most humane
thing to do, putting him to sleep was the best, said the vet.
It was a hard decision for the owner to make but the owner couldn’t make it so Tyson was
offered a new home with “Save a Horse Australia” who then knew of another great rescue
organisation who worked closely with Harmony Hooves Healing Hearts.
It continued like this:
Tyson, now 5 years old, joined the team of therapy horses at Harmony Hooves Healing Hearts in Nerang
Queensland because they believed, "blind horses can also have a wonderful quality of life, if
only they're given a chance", said Jodie Alderton, founder of Harmony Hooves Healing Hearts.
“I envisioned the purpose and the emotional support Tyson could help others with and after
having a one eyed mare (Cherie) for 3 years in her Equine team, we decided to rein him in.”
Tyson is having a wonderful life. Harmony Hooves Healing Hearts work with challenging and homeless
teenagers, clients of all ages with various physical and mental disorders including depression,
anxiety and autism. Harmony Hooves Healing Hearts is located on the Gold Coast and services the Surrounding
districts and Brisbane.
One all boys school on the coast has been coming to visit “The Farm” since 2008 learning
Compassion, Trust, Empathy and appreciating nature, animals and the Safe Environment for the
horses. These boys were so moved into a new realm of awareness once visiting the horses and
have been coming back ever since their amazing first visit.
Horses and other animals do not judge and without sight, like Tyson, they have a sixth sense and
can interact with their clients in a very special way. The horse supports the person to believe in
themselves, enhancing their self-esteem, promoting feelings of love and bonding the child may
never have experienced before.
It’s imperative that people feel safe and connected to a community and being part of such
activities with horses, in particular a blind horse like Tyson develops a much stronger sense of
self and trust in nature and life. Tyson also gives vision impaired people rides and the vision
impaired give back to Tyson. Even Guide dogs have fun at the Farm ofHarmony Hooves Healing Hearts while
their owners are enjoying time with Tyson.
It ended like this:
Harmony Hooves Healing Hearts services local
schools, organisations and groups with Equine Therapy programs and holds regular
events, monthly open days and trains Volunteers for equine care and event management.
Fundraisers are held regularly and runs on Donations, Sponsorships and
Grants from the local Community and many Local Businesses support Harmony Hooves Healing Hearts
with donations in kind. Harmony Hooves Healing Hearts major sponsor holds personal therapy sessions with
a Registered Psychologist and assists locals to re-home or sell their pets so less animals are
taken into 'custody' and destroyed.
Come along and experience the 'Spirit of the Horse' for yourself and you will find new
life experiences that will enhance your well being and positive view of a world of magic at
Harmony Hooves Healing Hearts. |