Stories of the Heart
Hidalgo, A Once Wild Mustang
Hidalgo was once a free roaming Mustang who was captured by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and removed from his home in Oregon. He worked as a trail horse in upstate New York. In 2016, he was the subject of an SPCA cruelty investigation. When he arrived at the Kaeli Kramer Foundation, he was so emaciated and weak that he could barely stand. His organs had begun to shut down. After extensive veterinary treatment and months of proper nutrition, this once proud and noble wild horse regained his strength and dignity. Despite being so mistreated by humans, he retained a kind nature. He never kicked or bit and was most affectionate. We named him Hidalgo which in Spanish means “noble man”.
Hidalgo lived a full life at the Kaeli Kramer Foundation for over seven years. He had a large personality and was quite the ladies’ man. He lived a life here that in some small way replicated the life he may have lived in the wild with a family band of mares. He loved his mares and spent his days with Willow, Becky, and Sassy, three blind mares who had all worked as trail horses. This proud and majestic Mustang was almost 40 years old when he passed.
NYC Carriage Horses Roger and King, Gentle Giants
Roger
Roger worked as a NYC carriage horse for many years and was one of our first residents, along with King. Roger had the character and presence of his namesake, Mr. Rogers. He was a kind and gentle horse who warmly welcomed every new arrival to the farm. He was fond and respectful to all our mares, as well as the goats, cows, deer and turkeys who sometimes shared his pasture. Like all of our horses, he received specialized care. He was lame as a result of years working on the city streets. Our veterinarian took radiographs of Roger’s hooves and the farrier fitted him with custom orthopedic shoes, using the x-rays for guidance. These shoes alleviated the pressure on his heels and supported his arthritic bones. This gentle giant enjoyed living at the sanctuary for twelve happy years.
King
King, a big draft horse with an even bigger heart and personality, lived at the sanctuary for nearly nine years. This gentle giant came to the Foundation after spending many years working as a carriage horse. He had arthritic knees with calcifications which was the result of daily pounding on the pavement of New York City’s streets. It is just common sense that horses should not be sharing the busy asphalt city streets with trucks, buses, noisy motorcycles and emergency vehicles.
He spent his days with his best friend Roger, a fellow NYC carriage horse. They loved to groom each other, play halter tag together and nap in the shade of the cool pine forest. His grateful driver visited him regularly. This man did not own King but was one of several drivers employed by the owner. It was through this kind driver’s efforts, together with those of a compassionate veterinarian, that resulted in King’s placement at the sanctuary instead of sale at an auction. The Foundation works to support reforms to improve the lives of carriage horses like Roger and King.
Sterling, A Friend to All
Sterling, came to the Kaeli Kramer Foundation as an innocent victim of the abuses of the racing industry. He was very thin and was barely able to stand. He ran in races at Belmont and Aqueduct for five years. He, like so many Thoroughbreds, sustained several serious, permanent injuries as a result of the routine mistreatment which is an integral component of the racing industry. Despite his extensive physical problems he approached each day with enthusiasm and curiosity. With specialized farrier and veterinary care Sterling became “pasture sound.”
At the sanctuary Sterling flourished for three happy, carefree years. Sterling was kind, elegant and fun loving. He loved the attention of humans and animals of many species- cats, dogs even goats. He developed friendships with Sage, Strawberry and his best buddy Murphy.
We advocate to raise awareness about the abuses inherent in the horseracing industry to honor his memory.
Learn more about horseracing
Strawberry, A Story of
Love and Healing
Strawberry was a handsome red roan pony with a huge heart. He was one of the first horses to arrive at our newly opened sanctuary back in 2010. We brought him to the Ruffian Equine Medical Center for surgery to remove a malignant growth in his left eye.
Many children loved this lesson horse. He had a kind nature. Strawberry cared for his young, inexperienced riders as he took them around their first jumping courses. He even attended A-rated horse shows, always earning a ribbon for his young competitors. As Strawberry aged, he gave trail rides and worked in a therapeutic riding program.
Strawberry loved his life at the Kaeli Kramer Sanctuary. He lived each day to its fullest. He formed a deep bond with Sage, a former Premarin mare, but he was loved and respected by all. Strawberry’s character was exemplary. He embodied the qualities of kindness, honesty and gentleness. Strawberry was courteous and respectful. He never fought with argumentative horses. He always maintained a quiet strength and dignity. He held no prejudice and was accepting of all species, even playing the role of surrogate parent to Ferdinand the calf.
We offer our love for Strawberry and our gratitude for the gifts received from him during his life as a healing prayer for all the horses who die in the slaughterhouse or the racetrack alone, with no one to grieve their passing.
A Prayer For the Horses
May your angels watch over you always.
May you follow the Light
and find eternal peace and joy at home with the
Creator of all that is.