A Life Changed by the Love of an Arabian Horse
A Life Changed by the Love of an Arabian Horse
by Frank Hennessey
A few years ago I invited a friend and his wife to visit the farm with their daughter Belle on her birthday weekend. Belle is autistic. A predictable daily routine is very important to her. Her environment is tightly controlled at home in order to avoid surprises that may upset her. However, understanding how relaxed and comfortable we try to make our home for our guests, her parents, who wanted to share a special birthday with Belle, felt she could handle it.
The first day of their stay we walked the barns, visited the horses, the dogs, the cats and the donkeys. As evening approached, I pointed out a mare that was probably going to give birth to a foal some time in the night. I asked Belle if she would like to be woken up very early in the morning to see the baby that was expected to be born on her birthday. Shy Belle let her mother know that she would like that very much.
At three in the morning, I woke the family to witness the birth. Belle had slept in her clothes to make absolutely sure that she wouldn’t miss a moment of the birth of a new foal that shared her birthday. She watched with wonder as the universe presented her with her own little miracle.
Thus began Belle’s love affair with the world of horses. As soon as she got home she asked if she could have one of her own. The girl who never felt comfortable in the spotlight entered a horse and rider costume competition – and won.
A few months later, I thought of Belle again when I spent time with a four-year-old Arabian gelding with one of the most loving personalities I’ve ever come across. Because of how much it meant to Belle to see her first birth here, and how having a horse of her own made her brave enough to court the notice of strangers, her parents accepted when I offered to give this kind young gelding to Belle. His name is H Nability H and his forever friend and companion is Belle.
One of the most rewarding experiences of my life was watching Belle get closer to her new friend than any of us could have imagined. The Arabian horse is a special animal. Its intelligence and curiosity, its ability to relate to people and its ability to change lives is remarkable.
But you shouldn’t take my word for it; just ask Belle.
