PeteMare (@PeteMare)

Zeus A Reunion: the state of being reunited after a period of separation... Geri White Jul 05, 2026 My contact information was shared by one of my clients with a woman who lived down the road from her, and had an “interesting equid” living on her farm. She wasted no time contacting me, and told me his name was Zeus and that she had a very difficult time finding someone who could trim his hooves without it being a traumatic experience for everyone involved. These are generally the cases I can’t say no to. My listening heart tells me when I have to go, and this one was a resounding yes. Oh, and the “interesting equid” is a Zedonk! Also known as a Zonkey. Basically, a cross between a Donkey and a Zebra. When I arrived, he was in a stall with a halter and lead rope on, and being held by a man. His hooves were terribly long. I generally take pictures with cases like this, but I did not feel the green light to interrupt our greeting process. I asked some questions, and as we talked I reached into my tool bag to take out some essential oils. “Peace and Calming” and “Lavander”. Zeus chose the Lavander. I watched the tension leave his body, and told the man to loosen his grip on the rope, asking him to smell the lavander too!! I started by picking up his left front hoof, and just picking it out and placing it down. It was so overgrown. I did the same thing with the other front hoof, and he obliged. He did not give me access to the hinds, and I honored his request. I went back to the front. It took awhile to trim the first hoof, as he kept asking to have it back. I gave it back every time until he realized someone was actually listening to him. I was granted access and was able to trim both front hooves peacefully that day. The next time I returned I was able to trim the fronts and hinds with feed in a bucket. It took around an hour as he asked for all his hooves often. I think he was in disbelief that someone even cared to ask his opinion and grant his requests no matter how many times he asked. All was going well for several months until one day he did not want to be caught. He knew the “MO” prior to my arrival each time. He didn’t care about treats or feed in a bucket. I walked out into the pasture where he was and sat on a rock. I knew in my heart that he has something else to say, and I was the only one who ever asked his opinion. He communicated to me that he wanted me to get him out of there. The human equation at the farm was not very cohesive. I will leave it there. He took a chance to reach out to me to help him in his plight. I kind of felt helpless. He knew that I received his SOS. All I could do was wait. I did not see him again in over a year. To my surprise, the woman at the farm contacted me again and asked if I could find a home for him. I had just been to an annual event at 13 Hands Equine Rescue in Clinton Corners, NY, and noticed that they had some zebras there, so I made an inquiry on Zeus’ behalf, and they said they would take him. I gave that information to her, and I heard nothing for a long time. I received a call several months later from her to see if I could come and meet the Vet at her place so she could have Zeus sedated for hoof care. The Vet and I met there at the scheduled time, and Zeus was again, up on the hill, and in no way was he going to be caught. He stated his case to me a year ago, and he meant it. He wanted out. He knew I knew his plight, and that I was the only one who did. More time goes by… I can’t really recall how many months, but she called me again and finally asked for the contact information again for 13 Hands. This time she made the call. They came the next day and backed the trailer up to the gate, and with no objections, he walked right into the trailer! I was not surprised. After all, he asked me to get him out of there several times. She sent me this picture they sent her of him in a stall safely in their care on September 8, 2025!