Horse People as Neighbors

Just when you begin to despair about the violence, crime, hate, impatience and selfishness of today’s society, someone restores your faith. There are still people who care about and help their neighbors. Some of the best of them are horse people.

There is nothing more fragile than a horse, and nothing more heartbreaking than an injured one. On Feb. 1, our appaloosa mare, Azteca, had a horrible fall in the rain.

They appeared like magic, our horsy neighbors--those who know us, those who barely do and those who just responded to the call, “horse in trouble.” In the dark, the rain, the mud and the blood, they worked for hours.

Azteca didn’t make it. While losing her is heartbreaking, we are grateful for the help that gave her a chance to try, and that supported us through the tough moments. They made all the difference.

The old saying “the best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse” is true. Everyone should be fighting to keep horses and horse people in this city--as horse people make great neighbors and great role models.

RICHARD KATZ and

GINI BARRETT

Sylmar

Katz (D-Sylmar) is a state assemblyman. Barrett is president of the Los Angeles City Animal Regulation Commission.