“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man!“
Winston Churchill
“Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened!“
Anatole France
Shalom’s Story
Shalom was a two-year-old Andalusian Mustang that was rescued through a reservation in the desert of Arizona. The Arizona deserts are noted for their population of wild horses.
A mustang is a free roaming horse of the North American West that descended from horses brought to America by the Spanish. Mustangs are often referred to as “wild horses.”
And this is the story of this once “wild” boy.
On June 16, 2012, Mary got a call regarding a horse (a domestic thoroughbred that had been secretly dropped off at the reservation – yes sadly, people do this) who might be suitable for equine therapy. The next morning Mary met up with the facility manager and decided unfortunately that this horse, although beautiful, was not suitable for the ranch’s needs. He then said, “I have another one I just brought into the facility, who I’ve been trying to catch for a while. I had to hog tie him, put him on a psuedo sled and drag him here. Don’t even look at him because I have to put him down. He’s been starving for quite some time and he’s about 300 pounds underweight. Don’t go back there. It’ll break your heart.”
The young colt was partially blinded by enduring a kick to his head near his left eye. When an injury similar to this type happens in the wild, the rest of the horses in the band (a close knit group of horses), will reject the injured horse through kicks, bites, and isolation (abandonent) and will keep the injured horse from sharing their food. An injured horse becomes a liability to the safety of the herd and attracts predators. In the open places of the desert, coyotes and mountain lions feast on the injured and old horses alike.
The result of his injuries were deep gouges on his rear quarters, bite marks so deep that his spine was visible and near death starvation before the reservation management could capture him and bring him into the facility.
Mary remembers that day so vividly. “Seeing how the wild colt was so weak that walking even one step was exhausting; however, the facility manager gave her permission, and she entered his pen. She was immediately brought to her knees in prayer, kneeling down with her back to the colt and began rustling hay that was in a tractor tire. Slowly the colt approached her – joining up with her. She offered him 3 strands of hay at a time as that was all he could handle. Eventually she went to his water trough and started splashing the water for sound and although he was leery, he finally came and drank.”
She continued this routine daily, but by the second and third day, his deprived body began to give out. He laid down with a “flump” then sprawled on his side. The facility manager at this point told her that his body was in shock and he most likely would die right then and there. “You should leave now, so that you don’t have to witness his death.” With earnest Mary began to pray over God’s precious creature, and slowly, he rose slightly.
“Through the grace of the Mighty Lord, Mary was able to spend 40 – 50 hours that first week with this blessed creature (whom she named Shalom). Within the week, she had touched every part of his body, had a halter on him and was able to lead him around. That was the beginning of a love affair – Shalom and Mary. Each day after that Mary would spend the early hours of the morning with him as they learned together to trust, respect and love.”
As soon as his body could handle it, he was given supplements to help build up his depleted system. The veterinarian examined him and stated, “That’s one lucky horse. Most people would have just put him down.”
By September, Mary and Shalom were performing liberty with running, stopping, backing-up, turning and bowing his head. “It was beautiful to join up with this miracle horse.” Shalom had put back on most of the weight he lost. “The facility manager said that if Mary wanted him, he was hers because of the miracle of life he received under Mary’s care and the deep attachment they had developed.”
Find out the ways you can support the rescue of horses like Shalom.
Hope’s Story
By October of 2012, Shalom had recovered weight and strength and was moved to a boarding facility where Mary worked with him; therefore, Shalom yearned for constant companionship. Within the month, by the prompting of the Lord, Mary googled mini horses. She thought, “What do I do with a mini?” and found that they can be used for assisted living and therapy animals. Mary then googled mini horses for sale in her area, answered the only ad listed, and drove to see this precious one. The asking price was $1,500 which she immediately notified the owner she did not have, but would pray about it.
After various God inspired interactions that day, the owner finally responded “I don’t care if you pray or not, the Lord told me to give you Sweetheart.” Two weeks later, Mary brought Sweetheart (now called Hope) to the boarding facility and the stall next to Shalom. They became instant buddies, often running side by side (with a fence between them as Shalom was a stallion) kicking, bucking, and thoroughly enjoying each other.”
Hope had been traumatized in various ways. One repeated traumatizing event happened when she was shod. Instead of picking up her feet to trim her, Hope was thrown on her side and held down. When she came to Hope Springs to Life Ranch, she was extremely skittish and unapproachable, darting away instantly. She would run away from Mary, or anyone else approaching her, often in circles for up to two hours before being caught to be let out of her stall or going into her stall. Over time Hope learned she can trust, and there have been a few very precious and heart touching instances where the Lord used her to release post traumatic stress from domestic violence victims.
One instance happened when a gal came out for a tour of Hope Springs to Life Ranch. At one point during the tour she was introduced to Hope. Our visitor’s tour turned into a therapeutic session as Hope with peace and confidence not only allowed our visitor to approach her, but stood still silently and willingly while our visitor knelt beside her, leaned against her, and rocked her.
At one point the visitor even stood on one leg and placed the other leg over Hope’s back and slowly dropped her torso over the top of her. She held onto Hope while quietly releasing tears that came from dark grief stricken areas inside her. Hope stood still until the release was complete. What a beautiful sight to behold as the Lord worked through this situation to bring not only release of PTSD, and it’s pain but to bring peace, joy and hope to our visitor. This was our first unexpected “hug” session and it was very impactful.
It is amazing that creatures, both skiddish, and un-trusting, join as a team of total acceptance, love and peace. Our goal is to continue to utilize Hope in equine therapy. For now she also serves as Shalom’s eyes, as his cataracts get thicker each day. Through all these interactions her guard has softened to approach Mary requesting her nose and the sides of her mouth be gently rubbed or looking for treats. But don’t let that fool you, she can also be the instigator of much fun and naughtiness, lifting her head and tail as she haughtily trots in any direction leading Shalom away from Mary especially when Mary is trying to get a fly mask on Shalom’s head. She has definitely taken on the role of Princess when she can get away with it.
