In 2023, our family had recently moved to Tallahassee when we got the call from Triple R Horse Rescue. A 31-year-old horse named Magic needed a foster home after being confiscated by the Sheriff’s department. Initially, I had concerns. What condition would he be in? Would he get along with our other fosters, Don Juan the donkey and Clementine the mule? However, those worries quickly faded away the moment I laid eyes on him. 

He was emaciated with ribs and hip bones jutting out sharply. Physically speaking, there seemed to be nothing “magic” about him outside of his sweet demeanor – his beauty was marred by a matted coat of hair and dirt. The first time that we fed him, he laid down from the shock of absorbing real nutrition. I feared he wouldn't make it through the night, but against all odds, he did. 

Magic quickly became part of the family and was the first horse that my young son ever groomed. I trusted our new foster horse with the responsibility of remaining calm and gentle around my child, and he delivered. 

Magic continued to serve as a beacon of hope and resilience for equine rescues until late July 2024 when his body finally began to shut down. We made the difficult decision of euthanasia. I sobbed and kissed his cheek. Don Juan and Clementine seemed to be sad too, standing nearby and watching intently. Magic was the herd leader and they’d grown accustomed to being bossed around by him. We all said our goodbyes in our own way. 

Magic was more than just a horse; he was a symbol of hope and second chances. Through his journey, he inspired us to believe in the power of compassion and the transformative impact it can have on both human and equine lives.

Rest easy, dear Magic. May you gallop among the stars, forever free, forever loved. Thank you for gracing our lives with your presence.