Brian Jerome cares for the big and beautiful horses at Blue Star Equiculture, the rescue and retirement farm and sanctuary for the big draft and carriage horses. He wanted very much to help Joshua Rockwood out, so he got up early in Palmer, Mass., and drove Blue Star’s giant trailer down to Glenville, N.Y., to help bring Joshua’s horses back to West Wind Acres farm.

The horses were transported comfortably and safely.

Blue Star is very much part of the new social awakening. We see ourselves as part of a community of people who love animals and wish to keep them in our every day lives. We also support the people who live and work with animals, from farmers to carriage drivers to dog and cat owners, and seek to treat them with dignity and respect, not hatred and persecution.

So it was very natural for Blue Star to want to be a part of Joshua’s victory and help him bring his animals back. I’ve seen Brian work with the big horses at Blue Star, he loves them and cares for them in a way that is often breathtaking. He is, like Joshua, a good and ethical person.

It seemed very right for Blue Star to be part of the horses return to West Wind Acres, I believe Blue Star the true model for the rights of animals, and for a healthier world.They never seek to send animals way, they have found ways for hundreds of horses to remain among people and find safe and good work for them to do.

This connection was somewhat personal for me.

Shortly before he committed suicide, my friend Paul Moshimer, the co-director of Blue Star and the husband of Pamela Rickenbach, the director and co-founder of Blue Star, told me he wanted to come down to New York when it was time and help Joshua bring his horses back.

Pamela wanted Paul’s promise to be honored, and Brian wanted to come, so Joshua was helped and Paul’s pledge was honored. There is a community out there, and it came together today in so many ways. Thanks Brian, for coming.

Paul and Pamela’s vision was – is – to support the ancient work of horses and other animals with people, an idea that has sadly come under siege in our time. For this, they were both subject to unaccountably vicious attacks from people who believe it is cruel for animals to work with people. It was not enough just to disagree, these people needed to see Paul and Pamela as evil for having their own beliefs, and both have suffered for it.

I was happy to see the Blue Star trailer today, and I said a silent word to Paul. Gratitude to Paul, you kept your word. You too, Pamela.