Where It Began
It made sense to take the horse to the doctor. Her heart raced as she counted the seconds while sitting at the reception with her daughter.
The vet emerged from the office with a solemn look on his face. She asked about the condition of the horse. Her heart stopped when she heard his reply.
Life In The Countryside
From a young age, Madeline had a deep love for animals. She was raised on a farm in North Carolina and learned to ride a pony before she was four.
Madeline wanted her daughter Suzy to grow up the way she did when she had her. She consolidated her savings and purchased a countryside home. She had no idea what she was stepping into.
Finding A Star
The countryside lifestyle was exactly as Madeline remembered it. She felt her heart swell as it brought back childhood memories. She felt her heart swell as it brought back childhood memories.
A herd of peaceful mustangs was grazing in the green fields when Suzy ran into it. She leaped with joy, pointing to one that was chestnut in color. But Madeline noticed something unusual about the horse.
Her Decision
The horse had piercing, starling blue eyes. The eyes appeared to burn brighter with each step Madeline took. “Mom, her eyes are like stars!” Suzy exclaimed. “Let’s name her Starlight.”
Madeline wanted Suzy to pick a pony instead of a horse but dropped the idea when she saw the joy in her daughter’s eyes. Would she pull her daughter away from such happiness?
Doing Her Research
That day, Madeline and Suzy took Starlight home with them. But Madeline couldn’t help but feel that something was wrong.
Starlight was more relaxed than most of the mustangs Madeline was familiar with. The horse was smaller than most and had thick hair that was soft to the touch. Why would the ranch accept Madeline’s proposed price for such a great steed? Something didn’t add up.
Calling The Ranch
Starlight had a warm welcome from Madeline and Suzy. Starlight happily gnawed on the hay and apples they supplied.
Then Madeline went through all of Starlight’s official paperwork. Madeline’s research stretched late into the night. She was just about ready to give up when something caught her attention.
The Truth Comes Out
According to Starlight’s medical records, she hadn’t seen a vet in a while. Early in the morning, Madeline called the ranch. She asked why Starlight hadn’t had a checkup in two years.
Was she to remind them that mature horses required at least one thorough veterinary examination yearly? She was shocked by the answer she got.
Unexplainable
The ranch told Madeline that Starlight had come to them recently. When Madeline and Suzy asked for her, they were just getting around to updating her medical records.
They apologized for not informing Madeline sooner. They also allowed her to return Starlight if she so wanted to. Madeline couldn’t help but feel that something was still off, although the answers seemed to make sense.
Guilt
Madeline considered returning Starlight to the ranch. However, Suzy had grown so close to the horse that Madeline knew it wasn’t an option anymore.
She kept to herself at work and home, sitting quietly throughout the day. What if the ranch had obtained Starlight in some unexplainable way? The thought nearly brought Madeline to tears.
Confronting Her Fear
Starlight’s information would be processed through the system if she went to the veterinarian. The authorities would look for her if she were missing somewhere. She would be separated from Madeline and Suzy forever.
Madeline felt guilty as she considered losing her daughter’s new best friend. Would Suzy ever forgive her? After calling the veterinary clinic, Madeline closed her eyes.
A Star Shines Among Us
The vet’s office was empty when Madeline, Suzy, and Starlight came. The receptionist booked them in for the next hour, and after a short wait, the three of them were in the consultation room.
After a quick rundown of the situation, Madeline and Suzy left the vet to run their tests on Starlight. He returned after an hour. What he’d found was more than Madeline expected.
Problems
“I think you should hire a bodyguard,” the vet whispered, smiling. “These records say Starlight is a mustang, but that’s wrong.” “What?” Madeline stood. “Starlight is an Arabian horse,” said the vet. “They are costly and in very high demand.”
“What about her health?” Madeline asked, her breath bated. “Arabian horses are quite resilient,” the doctor answered. “Starlight is no exception. But there is something else.”
Do Not Take Our Horse
Although Madeline had been horse-mad when she was a girl, she had never seen one with such exquisite eyes. When she researched blue-eyed horses online, she was overwhelmed by apprehension.
According to Google, blue-eyed horses were thought to be more prone to skin cancer and blindness in old age, and some horse ranchers said they were crazy. Is this what the vet wanted to talk to them about?
The Vet’s News
Madeline’s heart sank. What could it be? She looked at Starlight across the door, and the horse neighed sweetly at her.
A warm sensation blew over Madeline, and she smiled. Like Suzy, she was getting attached to the horse. “What is it, doc?” she asked. Whatever the answer was, she would fight to keep Starlight home.
One Last Thing…
“Starlight is healthy, from what I am seeing. She’s also expecting,” the doctor said. Madeline couldn’t believe it.
She expected the vet to say the authorities were on their way or that the ranch lied to her. She didn’t expect this. Her eyes teared, and she hugged Suzy. Could life be any more perfect? But the vet wasn’t done.
Worst Fears
“One last thing,” the vet said, walking over to Starlight and gliding a small device over her shoulders. “I need to check her microchip to ensure it’s working.” Madeline’s heart fell.
“Hmmm. It doesn’t seem like she has one,” the vet continued. “Ah, there it is,” he exclaimed as he moved the microchip scanner further down Starlight’s left shoulder. He pulled the information up on the screen.
Stolen
The vet read the information from the microchip and his eyes grew wide. “This horse is not registered to the farm you bought her from,” he said suspiciously.
Madeline felt her world collapse. “What do you mean?” she said, trying to fight back the tears. “I’m sorry, but I have no choice,” the vet replied, picking up the phone.
The Real Owners
It turned out that this horse had been reported stolen a few months back. The Ladner family was shocked when they learned she’d been taken out of their pasture.
The little girl, Grace, was especially devastated to lose her beloved horse. The vet had no choice but to call the authorities immediately.
On Their Way
“We were going to get another horse, and I come to load my trailer up. When we came back through, I noticed the horses. They were all at the gate except for that one,” James Ladner told the local news agency in an interview.
James also said that he checked the gate to the pasture, and it was clear that the chain had been tampered with. But what did this mean for Madeline and Suzy?
Her Family Arrives
The vet made the call, and the local Sheriff’s department was on its way to fetch Starlight. Suzy began to cry her eyes out at the terrible news, screaming that they couldn’t take her horse.
Starlight fitted the description of the stolen horse perfectly – and her microchip details were a match. The family was also offering a reward for the return of their horse. But did that mean Madeline was in trouble?
Reunited
The vet explained that Madeline and her husband weren’t in trouble, but the farm that sold Starlight to them was.
He could see they had already fallen deeply in love with the horse and was worried they might take her and run. Twenty minutes later, the Sheriff, James, and his 10-year-old daughter Grace arrived.
Blue Eyes
As soon as Grace saw her horse, her eyes lit up. “Shadow, Shadow,” she yelled as she wrapped her little arms around the horse’s neck.
Suzy saw how much the other little girl loved her horse and went very quiet. Madeline’s heart broke as she walked over, but she knew what she had to do.
A Huge Problem
James quietly told Madeline that he had bought Shadow for Grace two years ago, just a few months after his wife had tragically passed away.
Grace had chosen the horse because she had eyes that reminded her of her mother – bright, blazing blue. She had cried and cried when she was stolen – she didn’t understand how life could take her away, too.
Consoling Suzy
In the U.S., an estimated 40,000 horses are stolen every year. They are taken from their owners by strangers looking to make a quick buck or by opponents in civil and legal suits.
At first, Madeline was prepared to do everything she could to keep their horse, but seeing Grace made her realize they had to do the right thing.
Reward
Madeline hugged Suzy and spoke gently, explaining how the other little girl felt about the horse. “If your horse was stolen, how sad would you be?” she asked.
“Imagining not knowing if Starlight was safe and if she was ever coming home? That’s why we have to give her back. She doesn’t belong to us.” Suzy nodded through her tears. But there was a bright side.
Visitation Rights
James was so grateful that his daughter’s horse had been found he wrote Madeline and Suzy a check for $5,000 right there and then as a “finder’s fee.”
The amount was more than Madeline had paid for the horse! But for James, his daughter’s happiness was priceless. But that wasn’t all the happy dad offered.
A Promise
James kneeled and told Suzy that she could come and see Shadow (the horse’s actual name) whenever she wanted.
But he could see that Suzy’s heart was still broken. What could he do to make it up to her? She reminded him of his own daughter. So he decided to make Suzy an unbelievable promise.
A Generous Offer
Knowing that Suzy loved this horse as much as his daughter did, James suddenly got a brilliant idea that would make everyone happy.
Even though Madeline and her daughter could buy a replacement horse with the money he gave them, he decided to do something even better. He placed his hand on Shadow’s flank and said something that made everyone’s mouths fall open.
A Happy Surprise
As Shadow was pregnant, James promised that Suzy could have her baby as a replacement. Madeline and Suzy’s eyes widened – they couldn’t believe the man’s generous offer!
James also assured them that because the father was also an Arabian horse, the foal would carry all of the characteristics they had grown to love in Shadow.
Starlight delivered a healthy foal a few months later. Madeline and Suzy were overjoyed. They named the tiny horse Crystal, whose eyes were brighter than his mom’s.
For Madeline, moving to the country was for Suzy to grow up in the meaningful world that she had. Everything that came after was a happy surprise.