by Rob Schumacher, volunteer

On October 29th, Mr. Binx found himself at a horse auction and resigned himself to his fate. Tired, underweight, older than he could remember—a life of labor coming to an end here. "This is it," he sadly thought to himself as he was unloaded from the trailer and checked in. Soon he was surrounded by hundreds of other horses equally frightened, some more broken than him. Mr. Binx didn't know what awaited him.

"Ever since I was a foal, I've heard of crossing the bridge one day; I hope it is as beautiful as I've heard," he thought. "I am old and beat up, and no one will want me for work, but I can still try to work; maybe someone will take me." After some thought, Mr. Binx knew this was likely the end for him, and Mr. Binx was scared.

Later, while tied to a fenceline for pre-bidding inspection, many people slowly passed by, but few stopped. A group of people wearing CT Draft Horse Rescue clothing noticed him and as they started to approach Mr. Binx, he thought, "Maybe they want me; I can still work; I know I can." They rubbed his neck and softly told him they wanted him and to hold on. Mr. Binx felt hope for the first time since stepping off that trailer. As he entered the auction ring, Mr. Binx was nervous when he saw all the people bidding on horses. It was loud, and everything was moving so fast; people were yelling, and he couldn't keep track of what was happening. In a matter of minutes, the auction was over for Mr. Binx, and he was being led out of the auction ring—those people from CDHR bid and won him!

Mr. Binx found himself waiting, wondering what was next for him.

Later, that group of people came for him, and they loaded Mr. Binx onto a different trailer with four other big Belgian horses. Mr. Binx thought to himself, "they must have a very big farm and a lot of work for us to do." He sighed and hoped he could still pull a plow. It was a long drive, and Mr. Binx made friends with the four rescued Belgians— all equally grateful to be out of that awful place but unsure what awaited for them.

Mr. Binx suddenly had a thought, "Is this it? Is this the lead up to the bridge my mother told me about?" he thought. "Maybe these people are not friendly, and maybe they are going to hurt us." Mr. Binx was worried.

Several times the trailer stopped, and the people checked up on Mr. Binx and his new friends. They were kind and gentle. This behavior puzzled Mr. Binx, "why are they so nice? What do they want?"

They finally arrived late at night at their new home; everyone was tired and hungry; it had been a very long day. The people gently unloaded all five horses and gave them fresh, clean water and as much hay as they wanted. As the days passed, Mr. Binx marveled at his warm grain and the amount of attention and love he and the others received. Mr. Binx felt safe for the first time in his life.

One day Mr. Binx just felt so tired that he laid down and couldn't get up. He felt weak and just wanted to sleep. All the kind people came to him and showered him with love and kindness as they tried helping him. Mr. Binx wanted to tell them, "it's ok, you have already helped me so much; I want to sleep now." He never felt such joy and love. "This must be it," he thought peacefully. "This is the place my mother told me about."

As he went to sleep before him appeared a beautiful bridge and beyond it green warm fields. Mr. Binx was so happy and felt like a young horse again as he ran across the field, no longer burdened by pain or fear. He felt free. Suddenly Mr. Binx saw his mother, who nickered loudly, and he ran to her. There next to his mother were many other horses he had known as a young horse. Mr. Binx felt happy.

"You've crossed the bridge, my son; welcome home," she said. "You will never know pain or fear or want again. Mr. Gulliver, a CDHR horse who crossed over the bridge a year ago, is here, and he told me he often visits Autumn Ridge to check-in and told me you were safe and loved at a rescue for draft horses called Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue." Mr. Binx looked up and saw Gulliver, a very tall Shire horse standing before him who said he lived at the rescue too. He described the rescue as heaven on earth for draft horses in need of a second chance at life.

Mr. Binx was quiet for a moment. "Mom," he said, "I thought I already had crossed the bridge when I arrived at Autumn Ridge."

Rest in peace, Mr. Binx. You were appreciated and loved here. You will be missed.