When I was a girl I had a palomino mare named Creamy. I grew up on a ranch and was crazy for horses from the time I could walk. I was horseback more than on foot in the summer.

Unfortunately, my folks didn’t have a lot of money and when hard times came, decisions of practicality had to be made. This was early 80’s and times were different. They didn’t have horse rescue places or organizations like The Right Horse Initiative, at least not where we were. I understood ranching life and that livestock was our livelihood…they weren’t pets. But when my Dad broke the news to me that we were going to have to sell my beloved horse, I was heart broke. She was sold at auction and I know she went to the kill pens. That has haunted me my entire life because that is NOT what that mare deserved after the years of taking care of me.

I have had Bodacious (Arabian/Paint) for 18 years and couldn’t imagine a day without hopping on him for a quick bareback jaunt around the pasture. But at 22, Bo’s navicular is getting worse, so I have been looking for another trail horse. And today, thanks to Julie Copper at Copper Horse Crusades, I saved a halter from being hung on a fence. I couldn’t help but think of Creamy as I passed the auction road with my new mare in tow. Bodacious and Shawnee have forever homes with me and will never have to worry about being abandoned. To my loving husband that encourages me every day to follow my dreams, I love you. Julie thank you for all you do in saving good horses and giving them hope. Here’s to many happy trail rides and countless hours in the saddle.

What #RightHorse means to me

The Right Horse Initiative can help horses find the right human to love and care for them. There are too many people that have good hearts and intentions but don’t have the knowledge or means to properly train their horses and inevitably the horse gets the blame. With organization’s like Copper Horse Crusades and The Right Horse Initiative, we can educate people, train and care for horses and get them placed in forever homes.