08/18/2026
Hi, it’s Shelby here.
I wanted to share a few clips of two permanent resident horses who are very dear to my heart.
I’ve always had a special connection with blind horses. There’s something about these incredibly talented, young, able bodied horses that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Sometimes I can’t help but think about everything they could have been and the lives they were supposed to live.
Jude is a 7 year old gelding by Magnum Chic Dream. He looks like a magnum, he moves like a magnum and he thinks like one. Yet, he can’t see.
He is absolutely stunning and, otherwise, a very healthy horse. Unfortunately, Jude was born with a congenital defect that caused him to begin losing his vision early in his two year old year. At this point, he is mostly blind.
On the other hand, tall elegant Abby comes from a line of special HUS horses. Her owners had high aspirations for her to become a high end hunt seat horse. Unfortunately, her vision loss came on strong during her three year old year, and she is now rapidly losing what little vision she has left. Her eyes have even begun to noticeably shrink. There is nothing quite like seeing her float across the pasture in a beautiful extended trot when she feels safe to do so.
Both of these horses are incredibly special. They are athletic, intelligent, talented, and capable of so much. And while it can be heartbreaking to think about the careers and opportunities they may have had, we are incredibly grateful that we get to know them for who they are, not for what they were supposed to become.
They have taught us that a horse’s worth isn’t measured by what they can accomplish in an arena. Sometimes, their greatest gift is simply teaching us how to adapt, trust, and appreciate the life right in front of us.
These two will always hold a very special place in my heart. 🤎
