Anyone who has ever traversed just about any of the roadways on Grand Cayman has, at one time or another, seen a horse posted on the side of the road.

More often than not those horses aren’t privy to shade or water; they are, in fact, being neglected.

At least two such horses, which were headed for the path of euthanasia, have been rescued and will most likely live out the rest of their days in bliss on a piece of land in Newlands.

Dr. Brandy Darby is to be commended for recognising the growing plight of neglected horses on Grand Cayman and coming to their rescue. And kudos to Robin Hartman for donating the 1 1/2-acre parcel of land for the equine sanctuary.

Unfortunately sanctuaries for neglected horses are not a new concept. There are hundreds of them in the United States and the United Kingdom.

They offer a place for neglected horses to spend out their days getting well and receiving love.

Just to the north of the Cayman Islands in Pembroke Pines, Florida, a horse sanctuary founded in the 1970s is used to not only heal horses, but also offers therapeutic riding for children with disabilities or behavioural issues, as well as recreational riding for horse sponsors. It doesn’t rent horses to the general public but welcomes volunteers.

The idea for the Grand Cayman sanctuary is also two-fold. The first is to get the horses well and provide them with a good home. The second is to use the healed horses for equine therapy for people with depression or for those who have been in troubled situations.

A plan is under way now for the sanctuary to partner with area boys and girls homes to have the children work with two of the horses in a reciprocal therapy; it is believed that both the horses and the children will benefit from interaction with each other.

The Observer on Sunday regrets that a horse shelter is necessary in the Cayman Islands, but we are thankful there are people like Dr. Darby and others who are committed to saving the animals.

If you observe a horse – or any other animal for that matter – being neglected, contact the Cayman Islands Agriculture Department at 947-3090.