By Susan Kayne
For Capital Region Independent Media
As the buds of spring begin to unfold, marking a season of renewal and new beginnings, so too does a remarkable celebration take place at Unbridled Sanctuary.
In this haven for Thoroughbred horses, March ushers in an array of distinct commemorations that resonate deeply with the essence of rebirth and transformation. It’s not just the advent of spring we herald but the biggest month of birthdays of our beloved equine residents. Each horse has a name, a history, and a heart that beats with the same desire for life as we do. Each horse is a survivor, a testament to the unwavering support of the community that believes in the inherent worth of every equine life.
This month, we honor 28 horses on the echoing day of their birth. Lives whose arrival was planned, their existence mapped before they took their first breath. Each has a known “breeder”—the human who chose their lineage, paired their parents, and invited them into the world with a purpose in mind.
To a horse, a birthday may not carry the same anticipation or joy it does for humans. They don’t count days or years; they live in the moment, seeking comfort, companionship and safety. However, for US (Unbridled Sanctuary), these annual anniversaries are sacred milestones of survival, perseverance and love. They mark another year of safety, care and belonging—a year that might not have been possible without the life-saving intervention of Unbridled.
Imagine the life of a horse bred for the racetrack: it is planned before it becomes visible in the world, a name given to individuate for record-keeping, trained to fulfill the singular purpose of racing, winning, and then, perhaps, breeding. Many, many hands touch these lives—owners, trainers, grooms, riders, bettors, spectators—each taking something from them, but few giving anything in return.
Yet, what happens when their utility in this demanding world wanes? Their worth to the industry is measured in dollars, not heartbeats. The narrative too often takes a dark turn, with these noble creatures discarded as their monetary value diminishes. For so many, the winner’s circle is a fleeting moment, but the kill pen is a lifetime sentence.
At Unbridled, each birthday is a significant event. It is an act of defiance against the forces that would have seen them erased. From those whose lives graced ours for only a short time, like Countess Claudia, who would have turned 20 on the first of the month, to Karen Sue’s Kitten and B’s Wild Rush, who are celebrating their first birthdays at Unbridled, to our elder statesman Grand Fashion, who turned 29 on the 15th – the equivalent of 100 in human years, to the vibrant Generation Of Love, marking her 17th year on the 31st of March.
Without intervention, these milestones, collectively amounting to 518 years of equine life, might never have been reached. Their stories would have ended too soon, their legacies lost.
Have you ever pondered what a birthday signifies for these noble creatures, or what it means to celebrate alongside them?
Celebrating a birthday at Unbridled is more than marking another year; it’s a profound gesture of acknowledgment and commitment to the journey each horse has embarked upon. These celebrations serve as a beacon of hope, a testament to the resilience of the spirit.
By honoring the birthdays of these noble beings, we not only celebrate the adversities they’ve overcome and the joy they add to our world but also pause to reflect on our own humanity. Do we stand as protectors, or do we allow indifference to erode our sense of duty?
Whether you find a companion in Posey, born on St. Patrick’s Day, or feel a connection to Cupola, born on Pi Day, or kinship with the spirited Red, the youngest of our March celebrants, your involvement brings warmth and recognition to their existence. It tells them they matter. It tells the world they matter.
Do you have a Birthday Buddy at Unbridled?
- March 1: Countess Claudia, 20 Years
- March 3: Miss Ruud, 16 Years
- March 3: Liam Let’s Go, 9 Years
- March 4: I’m Lucky, 23 Years
- March 4: Raf And Ready, 23 Years
- March 6: True Conviction, 10 Years
- March 7: Phi Slamma Jamma, 20 Years
- March 8: Miss Libby, 16 Years
- March 8: Skye Serenade, 11 Years
- March 11: Karen Sue’s Kitten, 18 Years
- March 12: Queen Of The Bayou, 17 Years
- March 13: Touching My Toes, 14 Years
- March 14: Cupola, 11 Years
- March 15: Grand Fashion, 29 Years
- March 15: Diamonds N Stones, 11 Years
- March 17: Possession, 24 Years
- March 17: No Its Not Me, 15 Years
- March 18: Red, 7 Years
- March 19: B’s Wild Rush: 21 Years
- March 22: Comette De Fleur, 28 Years
- March 22: Teresa’s Luck, 24 Years
- March 23: Icwhatyourlookinat, 19 Years
- March 24: Fivefivefiftyfive, 21 Years
- March 25: Baal Perazim, 16 Years
- March 26: Zoom Zoom Zelda, 22 Years
- March 29: Classic Collection, 28 Years
- March 30: Miss Minstrell, 28 Years
- March 31: Generation Of Love, 17 Years
As we move forward, let these birthday celebrations serve as a reminder of the value of every life within our care – and what can be achieved when compassion becomes the guiding force.
The tradition of recognizing a universal birthday for Thoroughbreds on Jan. 1, irrespective of their actual date of birth, serves a practical purpose in racing. Yet, it also highlights a broader societal tendency to value these animals more for their utility than their intrinsic worth.
This uniform birthday tradition has significant implications for the horses themselves, particularly highlighting the challenges posed by the commodification of their ages. For instance, a foal born in June is considered the same age as one born in January, creating a developmental gap that can have devastating consequences in competition.
The equine skeleton does not fully mature and fuse until around the age of six, yet by then, many racehorses have already been retired—or worse.
As we celebrate the birthdays of our horses, we are often left to ponder where the bond between human and horse began to fray. From their first breaths to their triumphs in the winner’s circle, at what point does the love that created them dissolve into abandonment?
This question prompts us to reconsider our responsibility. Horses are not commodities; they are sentient beings with profound emotions, intelligence, and a longing for connection.
We must do better. And together, we can.
Susan Kayne is the founder and president of Unbridled Sanctuary, an equine rescue on the border of Albany County and Greenville.
