By Susan Kayne
For Capital Region Independent Media
In the lush expanse of a nearby farm homestead, Hoss and Little Joe, two resilient Haflingers, graze contentedly in a place they can finally call home. This serene setting is the fruit of Kerry Marcello’s careful planning and thoughtful labor.
For the past year, Kerry has tirelessly volunteered at Unbridled, where she met and fell in love with Hoss and Little Joe. Her commitment to equine care is as steadfast as the mountains the Haflinger breed once roamed. With every thoughtful touch to their new abode, Kerry has woven a home of comfort and love for “the boys.” It is a visible testament to the unwavering dedication she has committed to providing in welcoming Hoss and Little Joe to home all their own.
FROM AUCTION TO SANCTUARY
It was a crisp October morning in 2022, when the fate of Hoss and Little Joe turned from the life they knew to one of uncertainty.
After a decade of service, pulling carts side-by-side, for a community in Elka Park, New York, the senior brothers were shipped off to the Unadilla Livestock Auction. Old, skinny, lame and terrified, Hoss hovered over Little Joe in an effort to protect him from the other panicked horses in the auction barn.
Their once glistening blonde coats had matted and dulled. Wrinkled brows and wide eyes edged in white expressed the fear and uncertainty that had consumed them. Amid the chaos, the two small Haflingers searched for familiar faces.
Amid the clamor of the auction, a sea of faces blurred into a fearsome tide, threatening to sweep Hoss and Little Joe away from the life they knew. On the selling floor, the auctioneer’s voice cut through the murmur, a sharp narration of their lifetime of service now reduced to mere minutes; their worth priced by the pound.
The brothers, in their silent language, leaned into each other, finding solace in the warmth of familiar fur, the gentle nudge of a muzzle, the steadying presence that spoke of years trotting in tandem. The broker’s cold stare, weighing flesh and bone for profit, loomed over them, his intentions as clear as the stark numbers that hovered over their heads.
And then, as the bids staggered and stilled, a hush fell, a chilling pause that seemed to stretch into eternity. It was in that breathless void that Unbridled made the high bid. The gavel’s strike signaled not an end, but a beginning. A ripple of unexpected warmth spread through the crowd, a collective softening for the briefest of moments as the brothers’ fate was sealed with a word — “both.”
That single utterance was a vow, a lifeline thrown with fierce resolve. Hoss and Little Joe, still as statues but for the quiver of hope that now sparked within, remained unbroken, unseparated. Rescued by a love that saw beyond their years and wear.
At the auction, every horse is sold individually. Bonded horses are led or ridden into the ring together to keep them calm in the deafening banter between the auctioneer, bidders, spotters and audience. The horses look to one another for assurance; the environment is terrifying.
When the highest bid is reached, the buyer chooses to take one or both horses. No consideration is given to the depth or length of their relationship. Most horses leave the ring one by one, never to see each other again. The sound of their cries hangs in the air, heavy with the heartbreak of their separation.
Over the winter, Hoss and Little Joe thrived in Sanctuary at Unbridled. They gained a few hundred pounds each and let go of their fear of separation and unkind treatment. As they received adoration and daily care, their personalities blossomed, and Kerry formed a special bond with the duo. It seemed as if they adopted her!
As Kerry fell in love with Hoss and Little Joe, she embarked on an eight-month mission to transform her property into a horse haven. With a meticulous eye, she engineered the land for safety, installed proper fencing for security, and built a beautiful barn for care and comfort. She coordinated with Unbridled to understand the specific needs of the brothers, ensuring that her homestead would not just be adequate but perfect for their long-term happiness and health.
On Thanksgiving weekend 2023, Hoss and Little Joe stepped onto Kerry’s farm into their very own forever pasture. The sacrosanct moment marked the culmination of months of preparation and years of hope. Each blade of grass had been carefully cultivated to offer the best nutrition, each fence checked and rechecked for security, and the shelter crafted to provide respite from the elements. In this carefully curated space, Hoss and Little Joe would never again know the want or fear that had once shadowed their days.
Kerry’s journey is a roadmap for potential adopters. It underscores the significance of education and preparation in adopting rescue horses. The investment of time, energy and financial resources is paramount to ensure the well-being of these majestic creatures. Kerry’s collaboration with Unbridled Sanctuary serves as a model for how working together can create remarkable outcomes for rescued horses.
As Hoss and Little Joe now bask in the affection and care of their new guardian, their story is a powerful narrative that champions the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of equine companions. Unbridled Sanctuary and Kerry’s collaborative efforts shine as a beacon, encouraging others to consider the fulfilling path of adoption.
Their journey inspires a call to action: with the right preparation and partnership, anyone can transform a life, offering horses like Hoss and Little Joe the forever pasture they deserve.
Susan Kayne operates the horse rescue organization Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation, on the border of Albany County and Greenville.
