Koda, My One-Eyed Wonder Horse

              I’ve always loved horses—always—and I’ve had a horse of my own for over six years now, but it wasn’t until last year that I started reading about equine rescue. Once I learned about the importance of equine rescue I searched the internet trying to find an organization in my area. I found The Georgia Equine Rescue League (GERL). I read everything on their site. Finally, I read about becoming a foster home and I decided I wanted to get involved. It seemed perfect. We had plenty of space and time and love! I told my parents all about it and they were on board. My mom told me that I needed to find out what we needed to do and I needed to do it.

So, after talking it over with my parents I emailed Becky Gregory about how I could become a foster home for GERL. She was great about helping me out and by October of last year we were an approved foster home! We waited about a month and then I got an email from Becky with a picture of a sorrel and white medicine hat gelding with beautiful blue eyes. Truly, I think I fell in love with him then. She told me that he had been rescued, rehabbed and adopted earlier in the year, but due to circumstances outside of his adoptive mom’s control, he was now being put back into foster care. His right eye also had cancer and would probably have to be removed.

 About a week after I got that email Koda arrived. From the moment he stepped off of the trailer he’s been wonderful and I’ve been in love! Koda got off the trailer like he was arriving home. He was just so relaxed and calm. Within two days he and my two geldings were  grazing together contentedly. Before the end of that first week we had already gone for a couple of rides. He rode great even though he was still a little green. He also stood still for the vet to check on his eye. The vet confirmed that Koda would have to have his eye removed. Things moved really quickly after that. Both of the wonderful vets from New South Equine came and removed Koda’s eye. They did a great job!

Koda recovered quickly and acts like nothing happened. Amazingly just days after surgery he was still not spooky and just two weeks later he rode great, and acted totally normal! He continues to amaze me every day!

Well, about a month after Koda arrived Becky asked me if I’d like to adopt Koda. Of course, after my parents and I discussed it we decided that Koda was a part of the family now! Even my aged Morgan gelding loved him—the two of them are usually side by side and eat out of the same pile of hay. None of us can imagine life without him now! He’s been absolutely wonderful! We currently enjoy riding at our house and on our street and are using the Parelli Natural Horsemanship methods. We’re hoping to go on some trail rides and compete in local shows soon! I also look forward to fostering for GERL again!

I am so thankful that God brought the Georgia Equine Rescue League and Koda into my life!

Happy Trails,

               Beth Eavenson