California Riding Magazine • December, 2008

The Gallop
Royals rescue rare Arabians and
plot their debut as equine therapists.

by Kim F. Miller

Just in time for Thanksgiving, a herd of unique Arabians had a lot to be thankful for.

Direct descendants of the Polish Arabian Gedymin, the herd of 27 horses had fallen on very hard times. Their elderly owner, Kay Scott Davis, of Rio Oso Farms in the Sacramento area’s Rio Linda, had become increasingly unable to care for the horses, due to an illness and other hardships. Her husband, not a horse guy until marrying Kay eight years ago, turned to the Internet to help find good homes for the herd members.

Kay knew the risks of the endeavor in an economy in which a “free horse” is likely to wind up in a slaughter plant. She was quite serious about the “finding good homes” part of the mission. When some early comers didn’t get to go home with the horse they wanted, sour grapes led to what Kay calls “nasty letters” that became nasty allegations of neglect that circulated throughout cyberspace. Vandals had cut fences and done other damage to her property in recent years. “They thought it was funny to see the stallions run the herd,” she reports. With limited mobility due to a spinal condition, Kay could do little about property repairs, but she asserts that her horses were okay: “My horses were fat and happy. They were not in need of a rescue.”

Kay had owned horses for over 40 years, a run that included the 1978 importation, from the Polish stud, of Gedymin and Dally Pom, an endeavor that involved getting Ronald Reagan’s help. Before coming to America, Gedymin had won races in Poland that were considered equal to winning the Triple Crown in the States. For a while it seemed that Kay’s once-happy period of horse ownership would end sadly.

At the same time, however, the best part of the equestrian community was catching wind of the situation. Bob Davis’ calls for help included one to Joe and Kathleen Camp. Joe is the author of the Benji books and movies and this year’s The Soul Of The Horse. His horse books were inspired by the couple’s neophyte forays into the equestrian world as the owners of now three horses who live at their home in San Diego County’s Valley Center. Kathleen took Bob Davis’ call, but it was Joe who was most intrigued by the news. One of his own horses, Cash, is thought to be a Polish Arabian and that was enough to pique the writer’s curiosity. “If Cash could talk, he would do so in an English accent,” says Joe. “He is literally the most courteous, polite and gentlemanly horse.”

This chapter of the Arabians’ story began in early September.

Cynthia Royal was copied on Joe’s e-mail about the Arabians’ plight. Cynthia and her husband, partner and fellow equine behaviorist and performer, Tony Royal, were in the Sacramento area already to perform at Cal Expo. They went to visit the horses with the thought that a few might be candidates for the theatrical equine performance they are creating, Imagine-Discover The Magic. But a few minutes with the horses inspired a grander dream.

Horses Help Their Case

“Walking calmly amidst this herd of virtually untouched horses is difficult to describe,” Cynthia says. “I’ve been among large herds before, both domestic and wild, but nothing like this.” They were extremely well mannered and anxious to connect with their human visitors, she reports. “They were also desperately in need,” she continues. “They were malnourished, had neglected feet, hopelessly matted manes and tails and parasites flourishing. Their living conditions were deplorable and they were suffering from extreme neglect.”

Cynthia decided on the spot that she would rescue all the horses to keep the herd together. The band of 27 consisted of nine stallions, including Gedymin’s son, R.O. Gedymin, five colts, one foal, and 12 mares. Most of the mares appeared to be pregnant at the time, and one has delivered a foal, so, at presstime, the count was 28 head.
By then Joe Camp had made the trip north, too, to see these horses, and their remarkable nature inspired him to get more deeply involved. “I didn’t want the fact that Cynthia had leaped in so quickly to become overwhelming,” he says. ‘It was quite a load the Royals took on.”
The first task was working with the Davises to identify as many horses as possible. All but the youngest horses had registration papers with information on each horse’s distinguishing features, but in some cases their markings, due to age, were no longer evident enough to be matched to paperwork.

Cynthia found a boarding stable nearby that was willing to temporarily take the horses in. The stallions could stay until Nov. 15 and the rest of the herd a bit longer. Volunteers were essential from the get-got and remain so. The tactical rescue team included the Sacramento Sheriff Search and Rescue Team headed by Dave Toland, stuntwoman Glory Fiamonti, Vince Muselli, Chad and Cheree Swan, Merri K., and Cindy Scoleri.  Other support included Scott and Nora Milner, Tifany Markee, Jenny McDonald, Paul Wendee, Linda Pendelton, Molly Jordan, Edie Azar, Debbie Webber, Jaime Winkel, Megan MacIsaac, and Chari Harrill of Wildfire Ranch. “At the rescue, there were so many people who came on short notice,” says Cynthia. “Although we don’t know some of their names, we thank them all.” 

By now the Royals’ vision for the herd had taken the form of PegasusRising.org, with the goal of both keeping the Arabians together and creating an equine assisted psychotherapy program in which the horses will help troubled humans. Finding a permanent home was the next hurdle. It was cleared when the owner of a private facility in Rancho Santa Fe offered up her property as the site for the horses and PegasusRising.org.

Joe Camp helped establish PegasusRising.org as a non-profit so that the urgently needed donations of funds and products will be tax deductible. The Royals estimate the monthly feed bill will be $4,000, and expect another $3,000 in veterinary and dental care bills for the next six months or so to return the herd to good health. The stallions will all be gelded, Joe relays, but semen will be banked to enable perpetuation of the noble line. Volunteers are needed, too, and those who step forward will have the privilege of interacting with these unusual horses of remarkable heritage.

“We thought the herd would have to be split up,” says Kay Davis. “We are thrilled that the Royals stepped forward and that they plan to keep the horses together.” Kay noted that the Royals’ gentle, trust-based training techniques give an even happier ending to her horse owning story.

To help or get more information about these horses and the program, visit www.pegasusrising.org.