Days 3 & 4: Where Clouds Meet Healing - Stories from Chimaltenango's Heights
At 8,000 feet above sea level, where clouds embrace the mountainside and an ancient colonial church stands sentinel over endless vistas, our team found ourselves in Chimachoy on Day 3. Here, in this remote village we've come to know over multiple visits, the thin mountain air carries stories of both struggle and resilience.
The backdrop could have been lifted from a painting: our mobile veterinary unit enveloped in rolling mountain mist, the old church watching over a soccer field turned clinic, and an endless tapestry of milpas stretching toward the horizon. But the real artistry was in the work being done – careful hands teaching, healing, and learning amid the clouds.
While the horses we treated were notably well-mannered, their bodies told tales of nutritional deficiency and heavy parasite loads. Each case became another thread in the ongoing tapestry of education we weave with the Guatemalan veterinary students, who rotate through our stations with growing confidence and curiosity.
Day 4 brought us to Santa Maria de Jesus, a village nestled in the eastern shadow of Volcano de Agua. Here, the story shifts to the mighty mules who navigate the volcano's steep terrain with remarkable hardiness. These animals, though incredibly capable, revealed through their condition the ongoing challenges their owners face in providing comprehensive care.
Our conversations with local farmers unveiled a common thread: most working equids here sustain themselves solely on native grasses, often grazing in overgrazed, parasite-laden areas during brief breaks from their 5-6 day work weeks. We found ourselves drawing parallel between human and equine needs, helping owners understand that just as they require substantial meals after a hard day's work, their animals need more than just scattered grazing to sustain their demanding lives.
But amid these practical challenges, we witnessed something extraordinary – a moment that transcended our usual metrics of success. In Chimachoy, we observed a profound healing that had nothing to do with medicine and everything to do with heart.
A young veterinary student, carrying the invisible wounds of a serious horse accident from the previous year, found her way back to joy through the gentle guidance of Concho, our veteran natural horsemanship expert. As she moved through her fear toward connection, there wasn't a dry eye in sight – even the machete-carrying men of this machismo-steeped culture were moved to tears.
This moment captured the essence of why we do this work. While we can count the number of animals treated, vitamins distributed, or hooves trimmed, we cannot measure the ripples of transformation that spread from these encounters. In a culture where force often governs human-equine relationships, witnessing the power of gentle partnership becomes revolutionary.
The contrasts of these two days paint a complete picture of our mission: the practical work of healing bodies intertwined with the profound work of healing hearts. From the high altitude clinic where clouds drifted through our workplace to the steep slopes of Volcano de Agua, we're learning that true change happens in both measurable and immeasurable ways.
As we prepare to hand the baton to our second team for the final week of service, we carry with us these moments of dual transformation – the physical healing of hardworking animals and the emotional healing of the humans who love them. In the end, this is what sustainable change looks like: better feeding practices paired with renewed human-animal connections, improved veterinary care alongside restored confidence, and practical education hand in hand with emotional breakthrough.
Tomorrow marks our final day with this first group, but the impact of these experiences – especially that brave young student's journey back to joy – will continue to ripple through these communities long after we've descended from these cloud-touched heights.
In Gratitude
If today's story moves you, please consider supporting equine health initiatives through the Texas Equine Veterinary Foundation or the Foundation for the Horse. Your donations help fund vital programs including student scholarships and volunteer initiatives focused on working horses in developing countries. Every gift makes a difference in advancing equine health and welfare worldwide.
