BUNA — Go down to the Buna Bridle Club and you’re likely to find 15-year-old Aspen Grant and her younger sister Cameron, riding their horses, practicing for a competition. Normally they are accompanied by horse a little smaller in stature, Demi the 5-month-old mini horse. However, it was at one of these competitions that Aspen met a little girl named Rilie Rae, who is only a little bigger than Demi.
“I knew that Rilie, and Demi had a good connection,” said Grant.
Rilie Rae Reynolds was born in 2013 in Houston with Spina Bifida, and needs the help of hand crutches or a wheel chair to get around. Now 5-years-old this girl from New Mexico was back in Texas with her family for the Martha Josey Reunion. A barrel racing competition in Karnack, Texas. While there she immediately, fell in love with Demi. Aspen saw the connection from the beginning.
“Little girls or boys that come up to her (Demi), will come rub on her and leave,” said Aspen. “And Rilie, she never left Demi whatsoever.”
An unbreakable bond was formed in the course of only one day.
“Rilie had fallen and Demi had put her head into Rilie’s lap,” said Aspen. “And whenever she did, I knew it was time that Demi needed to go and make someone else happy like she did me.”
So Aspen gave her prized possession away to a girl in need. Now back in New Mexico, girl and mini horse are inseparable. Demi is now even acting as service horse and helping Rilie walk unassisted.
“It brings joy to me,” said Grant with a smile.