Tuesday, February 24, 2015

The Beginning




Yes, this is going to be a "before and after" story, but I prefer to think of it as a journey - both for a beautiful soul named "River", and for myself as well.  This is a chance for the both of us to grow - even at my "older" age, there is always room to learn and improve.  River has had a rough start in life, and has nowhere to go but up.  River came into my life just yesterday, and I still need to learn a lot more about her background.  Here's what I do know about her so far:



This is the first image I saw of River - a photo from Safe Haven Horse Rescue in Cottonwood, CA., which I believe was taken about a year ago, shortly after she was saved from slaughter in the "kill pens" in Fallon, NV.   I believe Marlene Dodge and Shirley Pugh (I hope I got the spelling right - I will correct later when I learn more) were the ones to get her out of Nevada, and they brought her to Safe Haven, which is run by Linda Richards.  River was only 2 or 3 years old at the time.  Linda, through her magic and her love, was able to turn the above poor creature into this healthy and beautiful horse below :


I went to Safe Haven yesterday with Jessi Morrill (my partner in crime) to see if we could help River continue on her journey out of the darkness of the first part of  her life, into a bright and happy future.



Jessi (above) and I both liked her right from the beginning!  River was shy, but friendly.  They  had gotten a halter on her, but she knew that "you can't attach the lead rope to me" game, so we elected to run her through panels to get her into the trailer.  Well, time and patience were in order, but we eventually succeeded, and off to her new home at Blue Fountain Farm she went.  Remember that probably the only times this mare has been in the trailer were when she was taken with other mares (who were most likely also starving) to the kill pens, and then along with other horses again when she was saved.  I can't imagine she thinks the trailer is a nice place to be, so I'm impressed that we were able to get her to go in at all.




This is River in her new home - a stall and paddock at the ranch shortly after getting out of the trailer.  She has a lot of "work" ahead of her - and some obstacles to over-come.  She has never had her feet handled, so they are badly in need of a trim.  She has an umbilical  hernia and a nasty scar on her hind leg, but today she trotted out happy and apparently sound in the round pen.  

I know I will not be able to post every day - running the ranch and doing my photography job as well take up a lot of time, for sure - but I do plan to keep those of you who might be interested in River's progress up to date as much as possible.  I want to leave you with an image of me taking River out to the round pen early this morning for her first time.  She loved it.




   

16 comments:

  1. I loved this horse from the first time I saw her. So glad she will be well cared for and hopefully go on to have a wonderful life. Look forward to seeing her progress. Thank you!

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  2. River is a very luck girl!!

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  3. River should have her own FB page 🐴💕

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    1. I agree, but I already have 3 Facebook pages, a ranch web site, a photography web site and now this blog - all of which I manage myself! I think I'll stop there :)

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  4. Good luck on your journey together. I'm sure she is grateful to have someone to love and guide her as she deserves. ❤

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  5. God Bless you,,, this world needs more people like you....

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  6. GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!! The world needs more ANGELS like you.......

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  7. Thank you so much!!! She is Beautiful and deserves only the BEST!!! Please keep us updated when you can!!! <3 xoxoxoxo <3

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  8. She looks like my Dunder boy! Beautiful! And I am willing to bet a personality that won't quit!

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  9. She is beautiful. It is fortunate you found each other. I look forward to following your journey.

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  10. Yay just stumbled on this page from Facebook but so glad to hear the story :)
    I'm still 15 years old but I hope I can save horses like you did when I'm older!

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  11. What a loving journey you are sharing with us.I as I know many will look forward to the little steps she will make learning to trust and learning that food will be everyday.I too have rescued a foal and working with them is a great gift we get.Mine is a love now but not in the beginning.Patients is going to conquer all.

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  12. River LOVES her butt scratched!! She has come a long ways in the time she has been at Safe Haven. When she arrived she had no idea what treats were, and now carrots are her favorite!!! I think she might have had some training in the round pen at some point in her life because she was so responsive (she would stop on a dime to a quiet "ho") Wait until you see her shed out, the most gorgeous stripes on her legs and shoulders!! She has an amazing stop and spin while loose in the arena. She did amazingly well considering I (and a few others) could only work with her on the weekends. Cant wait to see her progress, you will love her as much as I do! Bonnie :)

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  13. I have and always will be 'horse crazy'. I had a chance to own one for a while and enjoyed her thoroughly. I just think it is wonderful that people like you (and your partner) are able to help this beautiful looking mare. Keep up the good work and I will be looking for updates on the blog. Thanks

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  14. I have always had a love for horses that I can't explain , I see you have that also, River and yourself are so lucky, good luck to you both..........

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