Woody, Equamore Sanctuary’s newest resident, had no choice in what happened to him after he was captured by the BLM when he was three years old. First, the United States government chose to take him from his native Nevada habitat as a means to control the mustang population. That choice meant the loss of his family, of his herd, and of his freedom. He was purchased by a woman who chose to love him even though he was understandably fearful. However, a series of harsh trainers trying to “bomb-proof” him made matters worse, and Woody became difficult to manage, more fearful of people, and potentially dangerous.
Things were looking up for Woody, who now had a place to stay with adequate food and water provided by a person who loved horses and also owned a second horse to keep him company. Then, as often happens, fate made another disastrous choice for the now nine-year-old Woody. His owner had a debilitating stroke that left her unable to care for herself, let alone for Woody and the mare he lived with. Luckily for all three, a relative chose to intercede, moving the two horses into a round pen where she could feed and water them until further arrangements could be made. For the gentle mare, placement will be difficult but not impossible.
But Woody’s is a different story. Who chooses to take on the care of a dangerous, untrainable horse that might live on for another fifteen to twenty years?
The answer is Equamore Foundation, its employees, volunteers, and donors, who provide sanctuary for neglected, abandoned, or abused horses with no other options for their care. Woody will join Casper and Echo, who also responded with dangerous fear or uncontrollable anger to the choices made for them over which they had no control. These three will be the subject of future blogs as we seek ways to bring them to a new understanding of the more positive responses living in sanctuary makes possible for both humans and horses.
We hope their continuing story will motivate you to make a choice, too. You can join one of our Horse Rescue Teams or our Buy-a-Bale program for just $20 per month and help us make a difference for these horses as well as for the other previously abandoned, neglected, or abused horses residing at Equamore Sanctuary.
