ARTICLE LINKS
Eastern States Fostering Volunteer Program
Connecting with America's Future
My Treasure |
 |
People always have dreams of things that they would like to fulfill in their lifetime. Lots of times those dreams never come true. MINE DID, I LIVE MY DREAM EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE NOW. I always dreamed of not just having a horse, but having a WILD MUSTANG. Here’s the beginning of the story of MY TREASURE.
Born 1989, Capture Date: 9/96, Location: White River Herd Management Area, Nevada, Description: Buckskin, First adoption 2/1999, Second adoption 8/1999, Piney Woods, MS.
I never owned a horse. All my life I wanted one but living in the City that was impossible. In 1999 my husband Ron and I moved to the country. Then one day I was in the right place at the right time and heard about a mustang that I possibly could adopt. I went to see this horse and fell in love at once. My very first horse, 10 years old, and wild to boot. The BLM employees tried to talk me out of getting this particular horse. You see she had been adopted previously---------beat really bad---------starved to nothing but bones and hanging skin-----------then put in a chicken coop and left to die. I was told I would never get my hands on this horse and I would never ride her. This horse would not be good for me. I knew even if I never touched her, I could at least give her a good home and no one would ever hurt her again. So here her story really began.
This beautiful elegant angel lady came home with me. When I brought her home I promised her she would never be hurt again. I made sure that promise was kept. But now the real work had begun. For weeks I would just sit in her pen and talk to her, [and cry over her]. I couldn’t understand how someone could have been so cruel to this poor animal. As time went on, I would move closer to her. I named her STARBUCK. Funny thing is I had her almost a year before I saw that she actually had a star on her forehead. She has a very long thick mane, bangs and tail. Whoever her first adopter was they beat her in the head and on her back legs. We know it was a man because of her reaction to any man getting in her sight. At that time, Ron did not try to get close to her.
Starbuck was so afraid of people especially men, that to begin with I was her only contact. I would spend all day every day with her. She started watching every move I made. When I wasn’t in her pen she would move to the area of her pen where she could still see me. The sadness in her eyes would just break my heart. I could see this horse wanted to be with me and be loved. Each day I would get a little closer and a little closer to her without ever trying to touch her. As long as I didn’t try to touch her she would let me keep inching closer and just stand there. I finally reached the point where I was standing right next to her, so I would just keep talking. You should see the way this horse just listens. Her ears, expression and body language told me she was listening to every word I said; as if she really understood. At that time I think my voice was soothing to her. I really don’t think she understood what I was saying; but I think she understands now. This particular day I was standing there talking to her and just reached up and put my arms around her neck and just held on. I did a little praying too. I didn’t know if she was going to eat me up or not. Starbuck just stood there and let me hold her. HER HEALING HAD BEGUN.
Don’t get me wrong we still had a long road ahead of us. She wanted to trust me. Her pain and hurt was so strong she just couldn’t let loose for a long time. Day by day you could feel her relax a little, then a little more. As time went on she started letting me be a part of her life. We started bonding----building a trust with each other. Then I started trying to get a halter on her; an up-hill battle. Getting a halter near her head was a major thing. I’m short so she knew all she had to do was lift her head and I couldn’t get near her sensitive area.
One day I was able to touch her nose ---- just touch, nothing else. Then I could put my hand on her nose. So I would rest my hand on her nose and say put your head down, put your head down. She learned what I was saying and started putting her head down; thus another major accomplishment. I worked mostly with her in her stall; that was her comfort zone. Now I can do anything, anywhere with my beautiful elegant lady. Remember to begin with, I was her only contact. She was just too afraid of everyone else, especially men. Then she learned to love all of us. As afraid of she was with Ron she learned to love him, too. In the end she loved Ron every bit as much as she loved me. Starbuck had so much hurt and pain to overcome that Ron and I spent hours and hours with her just to show our love for her and in return she gave us all of her love.
All of our mustangs get loads of attention. They are our babies; we spoil them all. But Starbuck was the special child. She had such a long journey to find love and happiness and to overcome the hurt and pain. I always call her my ANGEL LADY. She was an angel that the LORD sent to me and an elegant lady at all times.
I rode her everywhere; in parades, on trail rides and just about anywhere else a horse could be ridden. She went to schools for hands loving from children. I would take her to adoptions to tell her story. She’s been to expos and been featured on Animal Planet. She has no problem being in the public eye; in fact she just sort of glides along with it. I can put an inexperienced rider on her back and never worry. She will take care of them. Starbuck has become such a treasure. The love and bond between us is so emotional. Everybody that meets Starbuck falls in love with her. She isn’t just a horse, she is a family member. Her body language, her carriage, everything about her speaks loud and clear I AM BEAUTIFUL AND I WILL NEVER BE HURT AGAIN, BECAUSE I AM NOW TRULY LOVED AS I SHOULD HAVE ALWAYS BEEN.