Springwood Sanctuary

Charlie - The Mystical Herd (retirement livery)

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Charlie is a beautiful 15.2hh grey Thoroughbred x Connemara gelding. He is the fourth oldest member of both herds. Charlie is 22 this year - his birthday is 26th March 2002.

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Charlie is one of our wonderful retirement livery horses. We are very honoured to be trusted with the care of 6 retirement liveries here at Springwood. Lynda is Charlie's human guardian. Charlie came to live at Springwood in 2022.

 

Charlie’s past (In Lynda’s words):

 

Charlie is mostly Connemara – his dad was a full Connie who had a mane longer than Blue Moon’s! He didn’t keep it as tidy tho 😀. His mum was 3/4 thoroughbred 1/4 Connie… they came from Llandeilo - I visited his mum Anni every week before I bought her while she was expecting Charlie! He was a lively foal who hung out with Victoria (Annie’s sister) and her foal more than Anni!!!! Inquisitive and cheeky!

 

Charlie lived with his friend and mother for 20+ years looked after by me.

I was totally involved but missed the fact we were all getting older! Charlie lost his friend and then the next year his mother which left him alone. He was grief stricken. His mental and physical well-being was my priority and the decision to ask if he could join Springwood as a livery was one of the hardest things I’ve done. I approached Jacqui and despite her heavy winter workload she agreed bless her.

 

Charlie’s life now (still in Lynda's words):

It wasn’t easy - Charlie wasn’t used to meeting new horses, had never met donkeys and like me was grieving for his horse family. Springwood is all about horse happiness choice and freedom they practice spirituality and kindness so 2 years on instead of sadness and loss Charlie has blossomed.

 

Charlie’s soulmate is Blue Moon she saw him the day he arrived and has looked after him from that day. It’s important to note that Charlie’s social skills were a bit out of his comfort zone - Lady that wonderful matriarchal mare has taught him how to approach and when to retreat. Recently he is bonding with Rhia who looks so like his old friend.

I live a bit of a distance away from the sanctuary with no personal transport, so I can only get over for a weekly visit which I wish was more but has worked out okay. I get to help a little, see Charlie and interact with any of the horses who choose to engage with me. I started to notice things like how the horses are happy to wander off on their own because they feel safe (an important factor contributing to mental wellbeing) and other things that has led me to study applied equine psychology. I am someone who leans towards science rather than spirituality but the healing environment of Springwood has an impact on everyone even a weekly visitor.

 

Charlie's life now (in Jacqui’s words):

It’s been lovely to have been able to help support Charlie in his time of great need when he was grieving so much the loss of his mother and friend. It is unusual for domesticated horses to be able to stay in a family group and Charlie was very fortunate to have landed on his hooves with Lynda as his human guardian. He has never been ridden or used in any way, always had the same constant companions and not had to shut down on his feelings to cope with so many situations most domesticated horses find themselves in.  For him therefore, this huge change and bereavement was very difficult to cope with and such a shock to his system – it was so palpable and took him a while to recover from.  He joined the Mystical Herd at Springwood on 7th December 2022 – almost exactly two years now! It’s his anniversary on Saturday <3 It’s not the easiest time of year to introduce a new horse to the herd when the ground is soft, the weather turning and they are hunkering down for the winter… but I felt the desperate need for help from Lynda who was challenged with a badly broken shoulder herself as well as a deeply grieving horse. I am grateful to Larri from Horse Haven for recommending Springwood to Lynda and to Mel who was Charlie’s hoof trimmer all his life. Mel continues to trim Charlie’s hooves. It’s lovely that he has the continuity of care from both Mel and Lynda in his life.

 

As Lynda says, he bonded strongly with Blue Moon and eventually he found enough confidence and healing from his deep loss of his mother and friend to start interacting with the others in the herd. A big turning point came when he started to play again – which was so heart warming to see. Thomas was very instrumental in this – his playful nature was hard for Charlie to resist! He played and mutual groomed with darling Bertie quite a bit too and his sad loss affected Charlie again of course. He has started to establish a lovely close bond with Rhia which is so beautiful to see for both of them.

 

Charlie is a gentle, loving, sensitive and playful horse who is an integral member of the Mysties. The constant access to hills and meadows, varied foraging, fresh spring water, shelters and his bonded herd mates keeps him very healthy in mind, body and spirit. It is an honour to care for him and all the animals at the sanctuary.