Roman's Journey from Tragedy to Triumph

A Story of Hope: From Tragedy to Triumph - The Tale of Cindy, Roman and Amazing Darling Cindy, owned by one of our oldest cart horse owners Colin Jacobs, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy in the early hours of Friday, 20 September. All seemed perfect in their world, with Cindy lovingly caring for her precious foal. However, tragedy struck just days later. On Monday, 23 September, Cindy was rushed to Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital, colicking severely. Despite hours of intensive treatment and care, her condition worsened. We made the heartbreaking decision to send Cindy over the Rainbow Bridge. Her loss was a devastating blow, but our commitment to her newborn foal gave us strength. We took Cindy’s orphaned foal to our Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre (R&R), determined to give him every chance at survival. Drawing from our past experience with orphaned Grace, we knew the road ahead would be challenging but not impossible. A Miracle Named Amazing We introduced Cindy’s foal, now named Roman, to a remarkable mare called Amazing. Amazing, who was rescued from abuse while pregnant and had given birth to Roxy at the R&R, did not hesitate to embrace Roman as her own. This incredible mare allowed Roman to suckle, providing him with nourishment and a mother’s love. Roman, a resilient little boy, found a second chance at life thanks to Amazing’s boundless compassion. Challenges and Triumphs Even with all this love and care, Roman faced more challenges. On 27 December, he was admitted to Blue Cross after displaying disorientation and abnormal behavior. The cause of his condition remained unknown, but our team’s vigilance ensured Roman received the best care possible and he recovered well. What makes Roman’s story truly remarkable is that his owner, Mr. Jacobs, made the heartfelt decision to sign him over to us. This means Roman will never have to experience the life of a cart horse. Instead, he will grow up under the loving care of his grooms and the people who have come to cherish him. After all he has endured, breaking that bond would be unimaginable. What a wonderful way to start 2025. Stories like Roman’s are why CHPA do what we do. Equine welfare is not just about saving lives; it’s about giving animals a second chance, showing them love, and helping them heal.