I’ve seen some trucks that are smaller than Mario, he was pulling the cart that Brian was driving and I was riding in this afternoon. Brian said one of Mario’s favorite games is raise his head every time Brian tries to put a  bridle over his mouth. These animals are bred to work, it is clear how excited they get when harnessed, how important it is for them to have something to do other than stand around and drop manure all day.  Mario loved his walk out in the mist and mud, probably much more than I did, I was trying to keep my camera dry. It is not merciful or humane to send a working horse to a private preserve with no work to do and no people to attach to. It is the new abuse.

Brian has been a volunteer and intern at Blue-Star for four months, he says working with the horses has changed his life, he wants to bring the draft horses into some kind of organic farm work.