Concern for the welfare of the animals in Hurricane Dorian's path, as well as concern for the

scheduled slaughter of 200 wild horses in Nevada made me remember that the animal right's groups that are working to rescue these animals have a horse named Beautiful Jim Key to thank for today’s animal rights groups.

The horse who started it all was named Beautiful Jim Key. His owner/trainer, was "Dr." William Key, a former slave, a self-trained veterinarian, and a patent medicine salesman.

Over a century ago, at a time when our nation was at war over a belief in slavery, it was the love and compassion shared between a man of color and his horse that motivated citizens of all colors to change their negative beliefs and negative behavior for a collective and positive social purpose. The love and compassion Dr. Key and Beautiful Jim Key shared with the world sparked a movement that launched not only the animal rights movement of today, but the child protective movement, as well.

A lesser known but just as positive a social impact created by a horse is the story of Old Joe, a horse who was shot and killed during a stagecoach robbery in 1901. His senseless killing left a hole in the hearts of the passengers traveling the California stagecoach trail and in the hearts of the children who lived along the trail, as they considered Old Joe their stable friend.

The positive social impact that Old Joe had on the lives of those who knew him is reflected in the stories of those who declared themselves to be better people because of knowing him. Moved by the story of Old Joe, succeeding generations are keeping Old Joe’s gravesite neatly trimmed and clear of weeds while talking to their spirit friend as if they, too, had been passengers on the California stagecoach trail.

If you haven’t read the book, it’s a good read: “Beautiful Jim Key: The Lost History of a Horse and a Man Who Changed the World” by Mim Eichler Rivas.

To my knowledge there is no book about Old Joe, but here’s a 2011 NPR link that contains the broadcast transcript and audio: https://www.npr.org/2011/07/23/138635459/along-stagecoach-line-hero-is-a-horse. This link is about where Old Joe is buried: https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/6249.