By Susan Kayne
For Capital Region Independent Media
In the golden light of a Carolina morning, three mares stand beneath an ancient oak, their presence so harmonious it recalls George Stubbs’ pastoral masterpiece, “Mares and Foals in a Landscape.” Yet, here in this living tableau, it is not lineage but friendship that binds them.
Celeste, the Hanoverian matron, shifts her weight with the subtle grace born of her champion bloodline; Seared, the coal-black Thoroughbred, adjusts her stance instinctively to align with Celeste’s movements; and Peggy, standing nearest to them, completes their quiet geometry. Together, they form a triangle of connection so profound that it defies the simplistic labels of herd behavior. It is friendship in its purest form, a testament to the emotional intelligence of these noble beings.
Celeste’s story began in these same Carolina hills, under the care of the late John Witherspoon Foster, a man whose eye for excellence was matched only by his boundless compassion.
Born in 2001, Celeste embodied the finest traits of her Hanoverian lineage. The daughter of Contucci, a stallion celebrated for his elegance and athleticism, Celeste was a reflection of meticulous breeding and dedication. By 2012, she had earned the American Hanoverian Society’s National Champion Mare title, her poise in the show ring matched only by her quiet intelligence. Yet, it was not her success in the competitive arena that defined her. Celeste’s true greatness lay in the way she carried herself beyond the accolades—with dignity, empathy, and a capacity to nurture those around her.
Seared’s beginnings could not have been more different. Born in Kentucky’s storied bluegrass region on May 9, 2006, her bloodlines glittered with promise. Sired by the legendary Gone West and out of Kumari Continent, Seared’s pedigree was a tapestry woven from equine royalty. But for all her promise, Seared’s early years were marked by transience, her worth determined not by her individuality but by the prices she commanded at auction.
Peggy, the smallest of the trio, carried her own illustrious heritage. Officially named Foo Peggy, she was sired by Fusaichi Pegasus, the Kentucky Derby winner whose record-setting $70 million sale underscored her noble roots. Yet, for all the weight of her lineage, Peggy’s charm lay not in her ancestry but in her gentle, grounding presence. She was the quiet counterpoint to her companions’ stately grace, the unassuming glue that bound their unlikely family together.
Under John Witherspoon Foster’s care, these three mares forged a bond that transcended the usual dynamics of equine relationships. Herds are often defined by hierarchy, yet this trio operated as equals, each contributing to the shared whole. During storms, they stood shoulder to shoulder, their bodies forming a windbreak as they rotated positions to share the brunt of the elements. In drought, they grazed side by side, dividing resources rather than competing for them. These were not mere instincts but deliberate choices, reflecting an understanding of mutual dependence.
This harmony was tested in 2019 when Foster received a terminal diagnosis. His foremost concern was not for himself but for the future of his cherished mares. Offers poured in from buyers eager to separate the trio—Seared’s breeding potential alone was enough to spark a bidding war. But Foster’s love for them ran deeper than financial calculations.
“They belong together,” he insisted. His search for their new home led him to Unbridled, and the promise to honor his dying wish.
In August 2020, Celeste, Seared and Peggy traveled together to their new home at Unbridled, at the time in Coxsackie. Physically, they were in good shape. Emotionally, however, they carried the invisible weight of loss. Horses express change not in words but through their bodies: heightened vigilance, subtle tension in their movements, a wariness in their eyes. For weeks, they stayed close, their triangle tightening as they navigated this unfamiliar terrain. Celeste, ever the matriarch, positioned herself protectively, her movements communicating reassurance to her companions.
The volunteers at Unbridled understood that healing requires patience. They observed rather than imposed, allowing the mares to set their own pace. Slowly, the mares began to trust their new caretakers. Celeste, accustomed to human interaction from her show ring days, was the first to engage. Volunteers noted how she would pause at paddock gates, assessing situations before leading Seared and Peggy forward. Seared followed cautiously, her intelligence apparent in the way she adapted to new routines. Peggy, ever the gentle soul, was the last to come forward, her curiosity tempered by an innate shyness.
By the time the first winter arrived, the trio had begun to settle into a new rhythm. On cold mornings, they stood in the weak sunlight, their bodies angled to share warmth. Volunteers marveled at their synchronicity, noting how their movements seemed choreographed—an unconscious dance of mutual understanding. Even their rest periods were synchronized, with one mare always standing watch while the others lay down. These rituals spoke to an unspoken bond that went beyond mere survival.
Then, in April 2023, their circle was broken. Peggy, the gentle heart of their trio, lay down in the paddock one spring morning and did not rise again. The veterinarians believed it was a heart attack or aneurysm, a sudden and peaceful passing. Celeste stood vigil over Peggy’s still form, her head lowered in quiet grief. Seared hovered nearby, her usually alert ears drooping in sorrow. The absence of Peggy’s steady presence reshaped their dynamic, leaving an empty space both literal and figurative.
In the weeks that followed, Celeste and Seared adjusted to their new reality. Their bond, already strong, deepened further as they navigated their shared grief. Volunteers observed how their grooming rituals became more frequent and more deliberate, each touch a silent acknowledgment of their shared loss. They began spending more time in physical proximity, their movements slower, their interactions imbued with a gentle tenderness.
For those who spend their lives with animals, it is impossible to ignore the parallels between equine and human experience. Yet, as Jane Goodall often reminds us, animals do not experience the world as we do. Horses like Celeste and Seared do not mourn with words or tears but through actions—by adapting, by remaining present, by carrying forward the essence of what has been lost. Their grief is not a projection of human emotion but a reflection of a shared truth: that life’s most profound connections transcend species.
Today, Celeste and Seared remain inseparable. Their mornings often begin in Peggy’s favorite grazing spot, a quiet homage to their absent friend. Visitors to Unbridled are drawn to their story, finding in their bond a reminder of their own experiences of loss and continuance. It is not the mares’ pedigrees that captivate these onlookers, but the way they embody the essence of true friendship: a willingness to stand together, to adapt, and to endure.
Under the dappled shade of a new tree, Celeste and Seared continue their journey. Their triangle may have become a line, but it remains unbroken. In their quiet resolve, they remind us that life is not defined by what we lose, but by how we carry what remains. Their story, like all the stories at Unbridled, is a testament to the strength of connection, the beauty of trust, and the enduring power of love.
Susan Kayne is the founder and president of Unbridled Sanctuary, an equine rescue on the border of Albany County and Greenville.
