Not a big fan of horse racing but what a magnificent animal and what an inspiring story.

As my chuckwagon champion grandfather would have said- "That's a good lookin' horse."

There has to be a special place in Hell for those who abuse dogs and horses...well, all animals really

What a magnificent animal. Whar a great story.

So nice to see a happy ending to one of these horrible stories. Thank God for the wonderful people who help these poor abused animals.

I find it impossible to get inside the head of anyone who would allow a horse, let alone 50, deteriorate and suffer right before their eyes.

What a noble horse. What a great team of volunteers.

Horses are truly noble creatures: so beautiful, dignified, and patient, with big hearts. Zodiac’s story is inspiring: bless all those who believed in him and worked so hard to bring him back to health.

Bravo, Zodiac—and Days End Farm! Thanks, Kate for this heart warming story.

I recall passages in the Old Testiment about horses.....I sadly lack total recall...

Both sides still maintain mounted patrols along the Sino-Russian border.

Excellent.

From his Creator:

Job 39
19 “Do you give the horse its strength
or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?
20 Do you make it leap like a locust,
striking terror with its proud snorting?
21 It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength,
and charges into the fray.
22 It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;
it does not shy away from the sword.
23 The quiver rattles against its side,
along with the flashing spear and lance.
24 In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground;
it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.
25 At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, ‘Aha!’
It catches the scent of battle from afar,
the shout of commanders and the battle cry.

Mark - King James version? I read it in the Douay-
Rheims and the Knox version of same, and the New Revised Standard (Catholic) Version, all different, all beautiful, because one supposes, it describes one of God's most glorious creations.

This is a great story and thanks to sasquatch and Mark for the additional information about the noble horse.

Both may dad and my father-in-law had horses in their youth and I can remember my dad talking to his horses like they were friends.

Thank you, Mark, for those fine, Old Testament words about the noble horse.

Like Ken, my grandfathers had horses: they rode them when young and one grandfather continued to ride until his death. He looked vey dashing in his riding gear and I still have a picture of him on his hunter in his “pinks”—red jacket—with top hat, beagles in the background. (They didn't hunt real foxes: the beagles followed a scent put down before the hunt.) A large painting of my grandfather's favourite horse was prominently displayed in my grandparents’ home.

Because they’re so big—and might kick!—although I did a bit of riding, I was always a little afraid of horses, especially on the ground near them. Not my grandfather: he was totally at ease around horses and loved to be with them. He really loved them too. This story has brought back many fond memories!

This reminds me of a true story with a different ending, only about a cow. The farmer in this story had a old cow who had gone down calving. He went to the trouble of making a sling supported by a block and tackle, with which, he would laboriously raise the old cow every day.

He faithfully would bring the old cow feed and water every day in the hope, one day, she would gain the strength to get to her feet.

This went on for many days and the old cow didn't get to her feet.

One day, the farmer brought a rifle and shot her. When asked why he went to all that trouble if he was just going to shoot her, the farmer replied, "I just got tired of it".

The lesson, for me, is that they're just animals. They often take on attributes that only exist in our mind.

Man certainly has to be the cruelest animal on the planet.

I dunno, even the cruelest person probably doesn't eat their food while it's alive.

Animals eating their food while alive is called survival. Allowing an animal that you are responsible (key word)for starve to death is another thing entirely.

Actually man does eat stuff while still alive. somewhere in Asia they slice and deep fry fish while still alive and served kicking, so to speak.

'Twas you equated man with being an animal. You can't have it both ways.

Dang it Kate, you should of had a tissue warning on that one, ;- )

Everyone of the old gals down heya in the office are booing and mad at me for sending the link, but all are going on about what a magnificent horse Zodiac is.

Good Job Days End, and God Bless to the folks who pulled him through. You go Zodiac !!!!!

Thats one mighty happy horse. Thanks to the people who cared, & God bless em.