Tulsa Horse Rescue Ranch by Carol; Happy to have horses back in her life
Where horses come to heal
“A civilization will be judged by how it treated its animals.” Mohandas Ghandi
“One day we will see all our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.” Pope Francis
“One day the absurdity of the almost universal human belief in the slavery of other animals will be palpable. We will have then discovered our souls and will become worthier of sharing this planet with them.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Growing up, horses were everywhere. Westerns were all the rage on television and in movies. Our small town in Indiana supported agriculture, and horses were a big part of life. I fell in love with horses when I was very young and began begging my parents for one of my own. I was relentless. Eventually my father found a stable with National Quarter Horses who gave lessons. And so my adventures with these magnificent creatures began in earnest. I rode my first horse at eight years of age. By eleven I was riding a Reserve Grand National Champion whom I loved dearly. I showed her in a Youth Halter Class. I continued riding and loving horses into my mid-twenties when work took me to the City. Marriage, Children and Work kept me busy for a very long time.
Throughout my life, I rode horses every chance I received. Friends and colleagues who had horses sometimes invited me to ride. Trips out West brought horse back riding in stunning vistas. Once I rode a horse along a beach. But these were fleeting opportunities and left me longing for the sounds and smells of the Stables.
Now, at 65, my husband and I moved out to the country in West Tulsa where I am once again surrounded by Horse Stables and Ranches. When driving to and from our new home, I would slow to a crawl as I drove along the fences and began to do some research on the Ranches. God led me to one that specializes in retired and rescued horses. After talking with the owner and visiting her holistic, caring ranch, we decided to try something new. I would get involved with a recently rescued horse to love and provide activity and care. And we would simply let my involvement evolve organically. It is difficult for me to describe the sheer joy of being in the barn and on the grounds! I had many a tear fall in thanksgiving and amazement that this opportunity arose. I could not have planned it if I had tried!
The first days were happy but somewhat uncomfortable. The magnitude of time that had passed since I had been with a horse on a regular basis hit me hard. I felt tentative, unsure and disappointed in myself at times. But I also felt overwhelming happiness. And the Ranch owner was patient, kind and very helpful. With each visit to the stables my confidence grew and Diamond began accepting me. I relaxed and focused on the horse and her responses and actions.
In 2020 I began playing a role in a local horse ranch rescuing retired and abandoned horses who were bound for killing fields. All the horses are beautiful, trained quarter horses that lost their people. While the Ranch owners provide all the physical care of boarding, feeding and pasture maintenance, they can’t spend the desired one on one time with each horse living at the ranch. They have a combination of their own horses, boarding and rescues. I found this ranch shortly after they rescued a horse named Diamond. So, I was assigned to her to provide some tender loving care and attention. The goal was to allow me to re-enter the world of horses while providing some additional financial support and time spent in domesticating her again. My role includes grooming, walking, watching and helping her to trust me and allow me to be the boss for awhile! My visits and activities vary in order to keep her interested and to break up the boredom.
The first visits were spent in getting to know the workings of this stable and the preferred methods used in caring for the horses. We started with my entering the stable with the owner while she haltered Diamond. Hands on care and brushing followed. Then I haltered her and took her out of the stables for walks inside and outside of the pasture. I began doing some basic commands helping her let me lead. Carrots and apples pieces were given when she willingly obeyed and tolerated my ministrations! I wish I could say it was a smooth, gradual transition, but Diamond and I each had good days and bad days. Patience and soft talk were my best tools. On days when she now whinnies at my arrival and comes to me on her own are my reward!
We wondered what to name the role I play at the horse ranch. Sponsor seems to fit the best. I can’t help but feel that there are other people out there who love and/or grew up around horses but do not have the ability to keep one alone! As a Horse Sponsor, I have the privilege and joy of helping to save the life of a horse. With financial donations I help the Ranch take on another horse or keep one that has no owner. With my presence, I can provide the love and attention these horses miss. Selfishly, I get to be “in the barn”! I get to feel the butterflies in my stomach as I see these beautiful creatures and breathe in the smell of the barn! During my walks with Diamond, I learn her quirks, her likes and dislikes and get to know her signals. And my heart and soul sing praise and gratitude .
Currently, there is a horse crisis in our state and country. Far too many of these noble, faithful creatures are being purchased by imposters, shoved into the back of semi truck trailers and driven to Mexico to be killed in a cruel way. As farm and ranch owners age and die there are often no relatives or neighbors to take the horse. Bear in mind, that these horses have often been one person or one farm horses most of their lives! Suddenly they are thrust into terrifying, deplorable situations. Some are former race horses who become injured or too old and can no longer run. Some are neglected or abused. In the Spring, the needs for rescuers increases due to young adults graduating college and moving away for work. The young adult may think they are selling their horse to a good family or farm. Sadly, this can just be a con far too often. Imposters just want the poundage of the horse to increase their profit.