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Chance time to calm down.

Luckily, I'd stuffed a sandwich bag full of apple pieces into my jeans pocket. I cooed to Chance, apologizing for spooking him and encouraging him that I meant no harm. I offered him a piece of apple and waited for him to take it from my hand, I'm not sure how long it took for him to decide to do so. I petted him and ran my fingers through his mane as I offered him another piece. Thankfully, he realized that I hadn't changed towards him and nuzzled me, getting a bit of apple juice on my shirt.

I never had any problems with him after that. I learned to talk to him if I came up behind him, even with the barn lights on. Chance was always sweet to me and was a very kind horse. It generally took time for him to get used to new people, but on my first day at Heartland he came up to me and nudged my shoulder for attention as I spoke with my instructor to get my days chores.

Sadly, Chance never regained his full strength. Last Christmas he became very ill with pneumonia; vomiting, coughing, sneezing, low appetite. We worked hard to get him to eat, coaxing and coercing by turns, but he lost weight rapidly, beginning to waste away to his old emaciated form no matter how hard we tried to prevent it. One afternoon, a few days before Christmas, Chance became so ill that we had to call the vet out to the rehab center on an emergency. We watched helplessly as Chance died before our very eyes. He died before the vet arrived, the vet told us that there was nothing that could have saved him but a miracle.

Chance is gone, but his memory is forever in my heart and in all of those who knew him. Chance got a second chance at life and lived the good life for two years, spoiled like all horses are by those who loved him. I believe that Chance is in Heaven with God, roaming free in the always green meadows and waiting to greet those who loved him when we leave this world. Chance was lucky, he received a second chance at life instead of the frightening death of the slaughter house.

More horses should be this lucky and it's up to us to help him. Even if you can't own a horse, you can still do something to help. Working at rehab centers, donating money and supplies, and helping to spread the word about rescuing slaughter horses and kill pen victims are just some ways. Shouldn't all horses be given a second chance at a good life?

Learn more about this author, Crystal Watts.
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