Goodbye, Hamilton! 
In the early days of the ISPMB rescue effort, Hamilton was one of the very first horses saved—a bright-eyed, fuzzy colt, barely four months old, whose image became a symbol of the neglect the horses had endured. His photograph, with his crooked hooves and frail body, was used in the media, shining a light on the horrors at the ISPMB facility. It was a hard day for us when we traveled to the location and, amidst 900+ starving, broken souls, were allowed to take just eight horses. Among them was Hamilton and his mother, Rachel. Little did we know how much this tiny colt, with his badly turned-up hind hooves, would go on to mean to us.
At first glance, Hamilton seemed "okay"—a cute, fuzzy colt with the brightest eyes. But once we got him home and checked him over, we were devastated to learn that he was the same colt we’d seen in the newspaper, the one with the terrible back feet. X-rays revealed that Hamilton had failed to develop the majority of the coffin bones in both hind feet, and euthanasia seemed like the only option. That was until Dr. Ted Vlahos, a lameness expert who specialized in amputations and prosthetics, agreed to work with us. With a dramatic trim and custom shoes, Hamilton was given a chance. We knew, deep down, that he would never leave us, but we were determined to give him every chance to thrive.
And thrive he did. Despite his severe hoof deformities, Hamilton played, ran, and grew—he was a happy colt. His dedicated farrier and team worked tirelessly to keep him balanced, while the world followed his journey. His x-rays were shared across the globe, as vets and radiologists studied his case. His story brought hope to so many, and Hamilton brought joy to our hearts. He defied the odds and lived the life he deserved, becoming a symbol of courage and the difference love and care can make.
As Hamilton reached adulthood, our worst fears began to materialize. His hooves began to change, and his hips and joints began to stiffen. Winter, especially the bitter cold snaps, became harder for him to bear. Still, he pushed through, with a joyful heart and an eagerness to be with the people and horses he loved. But as the years passed, we knew the time was coming. His body, despite all our efforts, was starting to fail him. And so, today, Hamilton made his final trip to the vet—accompanied by his devoted farrier, friends, and volunteers who had supported him through every step of his journey. With calm trust, he crossed peacefully to greener pastures.
Hamilton will always hold a special place in our hearts. He was part of Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue for over eight years, and his loss leaves a hole that will take time to heal. His legacy of strength, resilience, and love will live on in the countless lives he touched.
To the many volunteers, friends, and supporters who have walked with Hamilton over the years, we share in your grief tonight. Rest easy, Hamilton. You fought so hard, and now you run free on strong, solid legs.
If you’d like to honor Hamilton’s memory, please consider donating to our auction fund. Hamilton’s life was saved by those who cared for him, and we want to continue giving horses like him a chance—a chance to know kindness, safety, and love. Together, we can help save more horses who didn’t get the same chance.
