“They are literally born with the odds against them.”
That’s how Josh and Alex described the dwarf miniature horses. They seem super adorable when you see them for the first time, but once you know about their realities, you’ll see them in a new light.
Their inspiring journey started when Josh stumbled upon a farm on his way to a show in Kentucky. A miniature horse stood in the middle of the field.
He wanted to get a closer look but found a jarring truth instead.
As Josh went deeper into the farm, he saw an entire field with other dwarves and miniature horses. They were in bad shape and he couldn’t just look away and walk in the opposite direction.
He called animal control and got the police involved. When he came back, instead of seeing improvements, the situation only got worse.
In the end, he just left a note on the owner’s gate.
Surprisingly, he got a call. The owner offered to sell the horses for a good price.
Josh then took the horses and moved them into their barn.
He renovated his farm to make sure that the horses had plenty of space to run, mingle, graze, and just be themselves. Josh and Alex were eventually known as rescuers for miniature horses.
In their journey, they also wanted to spread awareness.
They said in their interview with The Dodo that people have a lot of misconceptions when it comes to miniature horses.
When it comes to animals, size matters, especially when they are not naturally small. Dwarf miniature horses reach horses only at knee height.
This means that horse parts are contracted into a small frame.
Dwarf miniature horses then are susceptible to different disabilities and diseases, and that is why the duo takes good care of all of them.
One of their most memorable rescues is Braveheart.
Braveheart was found alone in the basement and in the worst shape imaginable for a horse. His coat was matted with dirt and debris.
His foot was neglected and has grown into awkward shapes. When he got a haircut, it was revealed that he was also terribly emaciated.
But through their love and care, Braveheart’s life turned for the better.
He was considered one of the farm’s “quickest turnarounds.”
From being one of the lightest horses they have, he became someone who thought he ran the entire barn. He got his health and confidence back. Most of all, his appreciation for life came back.
Braveheart is a testament to what their barn stands for.
“They just thrive here.” They said, “Within a day, they realize that they’re somewhere that’s not going to hurt them. They’re only going to help. But also, they have friends that are exactly like them.”
Josh and Alex’s passion for animal welfare has had a profound impact on the lives of countless miniature horses.
Through their dedication and hard work, they have provided a second chance at life to horses that were once neglected. Their story shows the immense power of compassion and the incredible impact a few individuals can have on the world.
Watch how these guys take care of these adorable dwarf horses.
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