ZAK

Welcomed to the Sanctuary — September 2012
Across the Rainbow Bridge — May 2021

This amazing and brave Standardbred was welcomed to Rosemary Farm as a blind, 18 month old stud colt. Those who know horses understand what a breathtaking situation this young horse was in. A field accident took his sight, and a friend of The Sanctuary networked to get him where he would be provided a safe and nurturing environment, to help him grow and mature, and adjust to the world as a newly blind horse.

Initially Zak was quiet, sweet, tentative, all logical reactions. He was gelded so he would be able to have friends, and that process came with even more challenges. Horses communicate through subtle visual cues, which Zak could not see, and the first attempts at connecting Zak to horse friends were failures. So the decision was made to begin Zak training under saddle, gentle and easy, because he was about 2- 3 years old at that juncture, and his bones were still growing. Zak loved being ridden, because he trusted his humans and he could 'feel' the direction from the rider. This provided some confidence and additional exercise, and opened up Zak's world.

Introductions to horse friends continued, and Zak finally hit the jackpot with Behr and Christian, and the trio became a tight group. Behr was also fully blind, and Christian was only partly sighted, but they would run and play just like any other horse. His ears were always going, a radar to the world, and he was very sensitive to the subtle changes in air currents, that helped him move. It was a beautiful friendship and and so worth all the effort to assemble this small family.

Zak continued to train and became an exceptional saddle horse, able to pick up on minute cues and was very soft, willing and forward. He even rode out in two of The Sanctuary Charity Rides, and if you knew Zak, you are not surprised that he wanted to be in the lead. A beautiful bay horse, Zak was living a full life. It was a tough day for everyone in The Sanctuary family when Zak crossed the Rainbow Bridge in May 2021, quite suddenly, the result of a brain issue. It is very possible it was related to his original head trauma. The comfort that supporters and friends can find is in Zak's fulfilled and happy time at The Sanctuary, where he was able to do everything he desired, kept in great health, and watched over daily with love. The lessons from helping Zak and appreciating all he had to share and give will resonate in the future with other blind horses in need.