A rescue horse left sad and confused after his best friend was rushed to hospital couldn’t contain his excitement when the pair were finally reunited after more than a week apart.
For days on end, Leo, a Palomino Percheron, at BraveHearts Equine Center, in Paris, Kentucky, was seen staring into the distance, wondering what happened to his best friend, Lou, who had been by his side through so much.
The pair arrived at the center in April 2024, having been “thrown away” by their owners, staff said.
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According to the center, Leo and Lou had been through years of hard labor, but when they became too old, sick and injured to work, they were sent to kill pens, only to be rescued.
When they arrived in Kentucky, they were emaciated, had overgrown hooves and moth-eaten coats from lice, and it took months of nutrition, farrier work and fungal baths from the BraveHearts team to nurse them back to health.
From the day they arrived, it was clear the pair shared a special bond – but, one day Lou, who is aged between 15 and 20, had an impaction colic, and needed to be rushed away for emergency surgery.
Leo, who is around 20, was left saddened and confused about what had happened Lou, and for days on end he could be seen staring off into the distance, wondering where his friend could be.
But then, more than a week later, the center got the news that Lou was well enough to return home from the hospital – and so they knew they had to plan a surprise reunion for Leo.
On January 13, nine days after Lou had left, the Percheron pulled up in a trailer, which Leo immediately recognized and let out excitable noises.
When Lou was then led over to Leo, the pair’s delight was visible for all to see, with the two horses sharing a loving nose rub and sniff in an emotional reunion.
Lou was later brought to his stall to rest while his stitches and heal, and Leo was right by his side to keep him company.
Erica Bivens, philanthropy director for the center, said: “Leo recognized the trailer immediately when it pulled into the lot.
“He let out an excited whinny when he saw his friend.
“The two were clearly so thrilled to see each other.
“They spent their first moments together sniffing each other as if to try and figure out where Lou had been.
“Their reunion made me tear up – happy tears, but so emotional.
“It’s hard to know exactly what these two had been through before they were rescued and given sanctuary at a place where nothing is expected of them, a place where they can feel safe and know they’re loved and cared for and can just live out their days in peace.
“They were given a second chance in life and just seeing their reunion made it clear how precious life is and how important friendships are.
“They survived what we imagine were horrible things.
“It’s a beautiful thing to be able to see the progress they’ve made and the love they have for each other.”
