Recently, Karla Swindle, the owner of S & K Quarter Horses in Fayette, Alabama had to see a heartbreaking moment when one of her horses passed away only days after the birth of a baby named Tye. Everything seemed normal until the mother became sick, and despite receiving veterinary’s care, her health quickly deteriorated. She crossed the rainbow and left the poor foal behind.
The orphaned foal had to live without mother’s love and care when he was just 9 days old. Swindle also faced with the challenge of raising an orphaned foal. Thankfully, her rescue dog named Zip, has taken on the role of a father and a protector of Tye.
“Zip has never shown interest in other horses or their foals. We raise foals every year, and he would kind of look in the door and just look at them,” Karla Swindle, Zip’s mom, told The Dodo.
But on that fateful night, Zip knew something was wrong, so he changed his mind, showed up and comforted Tye. The next morning, Tye lost his mother, but he was not alone.
“I spent the night at the barn taking care of the mama horse, hoping that I could pull her through,” Swindle said. “Zip stayed with me in the alley of the barn all night — the foal was laying in the alley, and he just lay there beside the foal.”
Zip became a dad, and he wouldn’t let Tye out of his sight. He even comforted the little animal and never let him sleep alone. Tye seemed to be relaxed and happy thanks to Zip’s presence.
“Every time I would take off to the barn, Zip would run to the stall, and stand in front of the stall and wait for me to get there,” Swindle said. “He would beat me to the barn every time.”
Watch the video below!
Caring for an orphaned foal is no easy task, but Zip is doing well and he always makes sure thet Tye never feels alone. As months passed, Tye is growing into a healthy young horse – in part, thanks to Zip.
The story of Zip and Tye has touched everyone in the world. Please share it with your friends and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
