Photo courtesy of Clint Ritchie fan club.
When Clint Ritchie died this past January he left behind a living, breathing, legacy, a herd of 30 horses. They are a combination of horses that he personally rescued and some that he bred on his ranch.
Clint, an actor, was well known and much loved for his role as Clint Buchanan on the ABC daytime drama, One Life to Live. From all accounts he was a committed horseman who took excellent care of his herd. However, he overlooked one very important aspect of their care: he failed to leave a will expressing his wishes for the horses upon his death. As a result, the county he resided in bears the responsibility of resolving his estate, which includes the horses. Clint’s rescued horses now need to be rescued. I can’t help thinking that this is not the outcome Clint Ritchie would have wanted and it could have easily been prevented. (See my June post: What Happens to My Pet(s) When I Die?)
Fortunately for the horses, the county asked Northern California Equine Rescue to handle the dispersal. They could just as easily have sold them off at auction and left them to whatever hand fate dealt. The county and rescue deserve huge kudos for stepping up in such an honorable way, particularly during a time when there are already huge numbers of horses needing homes and resources are stretched so thin.
Whether you’re a fan of Clint Richie or a horse lover you can help. Visit the rescue’s site for details on how you can help Clint’s horses find their happy ending.
