The Corolla Wild Horse Fund on Sunday announced the passing of Amadeo, a blind wild mustang living at the rescue farm in Grandy for the last 20 years.
Caretakers had been working with their vet to manage arthritis in his rear legs and hips, but on Friday night, Amadeo fell and was unable to get up, CWFH herd manager Meg Puckett said in a Facebook post.
“His 40-year-old body just couldn’t keep up with him anymore, and he died quickly and peacefully, and on his own terms,” Puckett wrote. “He was surrounded in love by his horse friends, Luna the barn kitty, his canine best friend Lucile, and our herd manager and trainer.
“He lovingly and respectfully buried in his pasture and sent off to run with his ancestors by many of the people who loved him and cared for him over the years.”
Puckett described Amadeo as the king of the beach, and the heart and soul of CWHF.
“His legacy will go down in history. He spent more than 20 years in the wild and leaves behind many offspring who will carry on his Banker genes,” Puckett wrote. “And once he was rescued, he touched so many lives as an outreach ambassador. Amadeo was one of the kindest, smartest, toughest horses any of us ever knew.”
Amadeo loved children and was gentle with them. Despite his blindness, he trusted his caregivers implicitly.
“Being a part of his life was an honor that we will always cherish,” Puckett wrote. “There is so much more to say about Amadeo but we are still processing our loss and will be for some time. We know many of you will be too.”