In Honour of Legacy
Sometimes there are just no words for the heartbreak rescuers face. The pain and suffering of the horses they save, and the ones they can’t, it is more than any human or animal should have to bear. As witnesses to the cruelty, we want to tell their stories in the hopes that others will be motivated to help make a difference for these majestic, peaceful, gentle and giving beings. Often it is too overwhelming to put it all into words, as it forces the rescuer to relive what they want to put out of their minds.
But their stories need to be told. People need to know what happens to unwanted horses and the horrors of the slaughter pipeline. Sharing their stories and bringing them into the light is the only way to end the darkness of the atrocities of horse slaughter and the slaughter pipeline.​
“Legacy” is a horse whose rescuers, Horse Heroes Alberta, only came to know in the last days of her life. What we know of her life story can only be learned from the ways her body tells of her suffering, and by her gentle, trusting nature.
On May 24, 2025, Legacy had been dumped at an auction in Alberta, left in the heat without shelter, food or water. She was struggling just to stand, never mind walk, and was pushed through the ring, literally physically assisted and pushed through the auction ring. Thankfully she ended up in the hands of rescuers, saving her from being bought and shipped to slaughter. They had to very slowly and carefully load her on their trailer, and very soon after Legacy collapsed. She was clearly old, frail, emaciated and in pain. They bottle fed her water during the ride back to the rescue. They rubbed and massaged her trying to keep her alert and comfortable. Then when they touched her on a spot on the inside of her leg, Legacy began to convulse, as if she was having a seizure. Her rescuers knew then that something more was seriously wrong.
It took a long time and four people to get Legacy off the trailer and then to finally get her standing after administering pain medication. Even though it was already 1 am, a vet was called. X-rays revealed the true extent of her suffering. Not only was one of her stifles broken but the entire area was arthritic and inflamed. Her entire hind end had atrophied, a clear indication that she had been suffering a long time with the injury.
She spent the day being brushed and loved on. She was given good food, water and medication to ease her pain, allowing her to enjoy her final hours as comfortably as she could. On May 26, 2025, Legacy was given the Last Act of Kindness, a peaceful ending to her suffering, surrounded by gentle hands and loving hearts. Horse Aid Canada was grateful to provide a humane euthanasia grant to assist with the cost.
It is hard to imagine the degree of neglect Legacy endured and how long she suffered, clearly not receiving the veterinary care she so desperately needed. We don't know how she ended up at auction. Did her owner take her there to get some last few dollars from her? Was she stolen and taken to the auction for some quick money? Was she found abandoned and the person thought they were doing the right thing taking her to auction? There is no way to know and while Legacy’s story stirs up a lot of emotions, it does nothing to help other horses like her to make the people who took her to the auction feel shame. Change will only come when horse owners feel safe reaching out for help.
One of our main goals at Horse Aid Canada is to protect horses from entering the slaughter pipeline when they are in desperate need of the Last Act of Kindness. Our Humane Euthanasia Grant helps owners make the right decision for their horses. With your support, we can protect horses like Legacy from being shipped to auction, where they are at great risk of being sold for slaughter. By donating to “Legacy’s Fund”, you can help ensure horses in need are laid to rest peacefully with dignity.
