SAMMY
“The Nutcracker Prince”
A bleak story has emerged, a tale told again and again, with a happy ending only because of his unlikely rescue. The 15 year old Standardbred “war horse”, CC Big Boy Sam, rescued from slaughter.
No one industry is 'bad', no one religious group is awful. There are great owners, and dirtbags, all around.
This is about ethics.
This horse raced, and earned over $300k, from the time he was 2 yo until he was 12 yo, but was sold off after an injury. He spent three hard years of labor before being dumped as an anonymous, worn out horse at auction. He stood iriddled with the scars of pin-firing on his legs, a huge hematoma on his chest, very thin, exhausted and depressed. Even the kill buyers weren't that interested, and so his life was won for just $175.
This did not have to happen. ANY of his owners could have treated him well, provided medical care, and protected him. They did not. We must change the ETHICS of how we approach our responsibility towards the lives of the living beings around us.
This horse is lucky, so many simply disappear.
Because of his microchip, he was identified and his history is emerging. It's a warning to anyone who thinks that selling off their horse will turn out just fine. It may, or it may not.
What do you, as an owner who enjoyed a horse in its prime, even profited off it, owe to that horse? What do you DO to protect that life?
Clearly some feel they owe nothing, leaving the ethics and the kindness to others, to non-profits struggling to survive, while doing the right thing.
We are not always able identify a horse, nor learn their past, but we always embrace the horse in front of us. This boy was a great save and didn't deserve what happened to him.
This horse is Sammy, he is very lucky to have been rescued. And he is ours with a promise that we will do everything to protect his life from now on. He is one of the reasons we are proud and happy to be doing what we do.
If Sammy’s story moves you, please consider sponsoring him with a monthly donation, or perhaps feed him today.
Sammy is:
• a dark bay Standardbred gelding, registered name CC Big Boy Sam
• welcomed to the Sanctuary in December 2025, one of our Holiday Miracle Horses
• a New Intake
• in transition *
• fun fact; TBD
* Any equine that we are still evaluating and getting to know following arrival, is in training, or is changing in some way, is in transition. Please feel free to send an email to inquire about their status and future possibilities.