If you are like me, you need some positivity in your life right now. The world sure feels like a scary place right now. The positive events that are still taking place can get lost in the sea of negativity. The news, daily challenges and obstacles can trigger our anxieties and insecurities. I seek out positivity and optimism; in the books that I read, the shows that I watch, the activities I choose, and the people I surround myself with. As my close friends know, I do not watch horror movies and lately have been limiting the amount of violence I see on TV. I used to watch a lot of violent TV shows and didn’t consciously choose what I wanted to watch. Now I make conscious decisions more often. I choose to spend time with my horse, as well as pigs, goats, and dogs because I find it enjoyable. I make it a deliberate point to seek out the encouraging stories in life as just one of my techniques to cope with my anxiety.
My love of animals goes back to my early childhood when I was only allowed to have one goldfish. I loved Melvin to the best of my ability and dreamt of owning a horse and hearing him nicker when I brought him carrots. Best Friends is an animal sanctuary in Utah that I have supported as my chosen charity for over 25 years. It is my dream to one day go visit and volunteer at this sanctuary. Imagine my surprise when I discovered there is a horse sanctuary that is a seven-minute drive away from my house. I learned about Second Chance Sanctuary through my affiliation with Stepping Stones, which is an absolutely fabulous, local, canine rescue group. (www.lovethemutt.org) I reached out to Ernie and asked to come visit his sanctuary with my daughter, so we could meet him and learn more about his horses.
He is down to earth and passionate about saving the horses and giving these geldings and mares a second chance to live the rest of their lives in a peaceful and safe place. These are horses that cannot be ridden due to injuries in their pasts. Two are retired thoroughbred race horses that sustained injuries due to the racing industry. My favorite horses were the two twenty-five-year-old Arabians. Blue is blind and Crimson is his sister. These horses came from Pennsylvania and were going to be put down if they did not get a new home. Many horses do not get a second chance and are euthanized if they can no longer be ridden, sustain injuries, or can no longer serve the original purpose of their owner. Horses are expensive and I have heard many stories of abandoned horses left to fend for themselves when the owner can no longer afford their care.
Horse care can be daunting and confusing for beginners as I found out when I purchased my horse in 2015. I knew absolutely nothing about horse care. If you ask eight “horse people” a question about horse nutrition or hoof care you will get eight different answers. You have to weigh your options and make a choice. With time you will evolve and have a ninth opinion about the best way to care for your horse.
Horses can be surprisingly fragile despite their large size and their care is very expensive. When I started taking riding lessons, I was solemnly warned by a doctor I worked with to never buy a horse. He gravely told me “Whatever you do, do not buy a horse.” I laughed and assured him that I was just taking riding lessons and I would never buy a horse. Well, my inner eight-year-old child was so enamored to be around these beautiful creatures that I worked up the nerve to purchase Pony Max five years later. At the time, he was 18 years old and ready to stop teaching riding lessons. He had Cushing’s Disease, lordosis, and Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD), which are all chronic conditions. And he only has one eye. So, I am well aware of how intimidating it is to care for an older horse’s needs.
Ernie has a great origin story which you will have to ask him to tell you. He created this sanctuary for the horses despite the “how” and “what if” fears that he experienced. He moved forward with this calling despite the expense of vet care, food, and farrier visits. He provides this peaceful home for these rescued horses despite the overwhelming and sometimes unnerving task of caring for animals with traumas, injuries, disabilities and abuses in their pasts. It was a beautiful visit and I left feeling more positive that day. There are still kind people responding to negative situations with positive solutions.
What do you enjoy doing? Do you have a calling? I encourage you to follow your passions despite your fears, even if wise people advise you not to do it, because it didn’t work out for them. If you are experiencing a calling, good luck attempting to avoid it. Pony Max brings me joy and I am honored to care for him and spend time with him. He will be 25 years old next month and has arthritis now and can’t be ridden. Honestly, owning him and meeting his needs still scares the poop out of me some days.
On May 14th, 2022 from 11:00 to 4:00 the Second Chance Sanctuary is having their 1st Annual Fundraising Day in collaboration with Stepping Stones. (Horse & dog petting, ice cream truck, raffles, music, food and more) If you would like to support this endeavor, meet these beautiful rescues and have some fun please check it out. In the meantime, you can see the horses on his facebook page for a mini boost of positivity. https://www.facebook.com/Second-Chance-Sanctuary-107131518394552
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