Fancy Rose, a black and white paint mare, was rescued by Safe Haven Equine Rescue Center during the years Ruth Meadows was the executive director. After her rescue Rose was adopted by a teenager and donated Rose to Windridge in 2004. This is her story told in three parts: Our Observation, The Teacher, and The Lesson. Our Observation:
Her coat was rough and lifeless. The lack of de-worming and nutritional care had taken their toll. Her eye was petrified with fear of humans. This little black and white paint mare was one of fourteen horses who were starving. The evidence of three horses, which had not made it, was close by. Within minutes of taking in the situation we experienced a myriad of emotions. We wondered how anyone could treat any animal in such a manner and anger rose within us. Anger was replaced with an overwhelming sadness as we looked into each of the horse’s eyes. We desperately wanted them to understand we would not hurt them. We were here to help them. To move them to a place where they would be fed and cared for, never to know an unkind hand again.
Each horse was loaded into the horse trailer. Some were so weak they barely could step up into the trailer without stumbling. Then it was time to focus on the little black and white mare that was standing away from the activity.
As we moved towards her fear entered into her eyes and instively she looked for a way out. There was none and she began to shake. We stopped. We felt so helpless as we saw how frightened this mare was. We waited for Margo’s instructions.
The Windridge Staff
Her coat was rough and lifeless. The lack of de-worming and nutritional care had taken their toll. Her eye was petrified with fear of humans. This little black and white paint mare was one of fourteen horses who were starving. The evidence of three horses, which had not made it, was close by. Within minutes of taking in the situation we experienced a myriad of emotions. We wondered how anyone could treat any animal in such a manner and anger rose within us. Anger was replaced with an overwhelming sadness as we looked into each of the horse’s eyes. We desperately wanted them to understand we would not hurt them. We were here to help them. To move them to a place where they would be fed and cared for, never to know an unkind hand again.
Each horse was loaded into the horse trailer. Some were so weak they barely could step up into the trailer without stumbling. Then it was time to focus on the little black and white mare that was standing away from the activity.
As we moved towards her fear entered into her eyes and instively she looked for a way out. There was none and she began to shake. We stopped. We felt so helpless as we saw how frightened this mare was. We waited for Margo’s instructions.
The Windridge Staff
The Teacher:
My volunteer work was with Safe Haven, an organization that rescued abused and neglected horses, under the direction of Ruth Meadows who also was the founder. From time to time, as Ruth asked for specific help, either myself or the staff and I would help Ruth with situations that were difficult to handle under normal circumstances. Over the years, Windridge and several of the instructors have adopted horses that were a part of Safe Haven. In fact, there have been a total of eight horses adopted. One of the horses at Windridge, a Quarter type/Appaloosa cross chestnut mare named Hope, was one of the first horses rescued by Safe Haven. Hope was a month old filly and she and her mother Faith, were starving. Once rescued, Hope was so weak she had to be held to stand in order for her to nurse.
One February, in 2004, Ruth called asking if the staff and I could help her load fourteen horses who were neglected and abused. Of course we agreed and set up the time to go pick up the horses. Every once in awhile a person comes across conditions children, older adults or animals are living in and it makes your stomach sick to think the individuals responsible could care less about their well-being. This was one of those times. Rather than describing the situation in graphic details please believe me when I say several were only a week away from dying.
The staff and I took one horse at a time, loading them into the trailer, starting with the weakest horses. By the time we were down to the last two horses we were faced with two black and white paint mares that had been severely abused and couldn’t be touched. To make a long story short, I had to use an old trick used by horsemen of old. The blessing was these two mares had been treated like wild horses and herded from one field to another. I just set up an environment that looked natural to them and was able to get them into the open trailer. All fourteen horses were safely transported to Safe Haven. The two paint mares were unloaded into the same lot until Ruth had space to separate them into different stalls.
A few days later Ruth called asking if I would come by and see what I could do about one of the paint mares. I did and within a couple days it was apparent for everyone’s safety the mare needed to be moved to a pen I had at Windridge. The abuse this little black and white paint mare underwent caused fear beyond what I had ever seen. The mare was going to hurt herself, or worse, a Safe Haven volunteer. I relocated the mare to the lot behind the old barn Windridge started in.
This little mare’s life began anew the next day. Each day I would work with her. First, I had to destroy the monsters in her life caused by abuse, second, I had to show her schooling was ok and third, I had to show her she could have a productive life.
While this little mare was under my care, one of our student’s mother became interested in her. Danielle and her mother Amy became very interested in this little mare. Week by week Amy would visit the lot while Danielle was riding. One day Amy walked up to me and said, “Margo we can’t let that little mare be adopted. What if she falls into the wrong hands again? Why can’t she stay here? If Danielle and I adopt her would you accept her as a donation for Windridge?” I smiled, hearing this woman’s heart and said yes. Amy named the little mare Fancy Rose after one of Windridge’s long time volunteer and board members.
Twenty-one months after Fancy Rose was picked up by Safe Haven, Danielle rode her little black and white paint mare the week of Thanksgiving. Danielle rides Fancy Rose as her lesson horse, but more impressively Danielle rides Fancy Rose each year at Windridge’s annual Horse & Rider event which approximately 800 people attend. Danielle and Rose look like they are performing a dance recital.
By Margo Dewkett
My volunteer work was with Safe Haven, an organization that rescued abused and neglected horses, under the direction of Ruth Meadows who also was the founder. From time to time, as Ruth asked for specific help, either myself or the staff and I would help Ruth with situations that were difficult to handle under normal circumstances. Over the years, Windridge and several of the instructors have adopted horses that were a part of Safe Haven. In fact, there have been a total of eight horses adopted. One of the horses at Windridge, a Quarter type/Appaloosa cross chestnut mare named Hope, was one of the first horses rescued by Safe Haven. Hope was a month old filly and she and her mother Faith, were starving. Once rescued, Hope was so weak she had to be held to stand in order for her to nurse.
One February, in 2004, Ruth called asking if the staff and I could help her load fourteen horses who were neglected and abused. Of course we agreed and set up the time to go pick up the horses. Every once in awhile a person comes across conditions children, older adults or animals are living in and it makes your stomach sick to think the individuals responsible could care less about their well-being. This was one of those times. Rather than describing the situation in graphic details please believe me when I say several were only a week away from dying.
The staff and I took one horse at a time, loading them into the trailer, starting with the weakest horses. By the time we were down to the last two horses we were faced with two black and white paint mares that had been severely abused and couldn’t be touched. To make a long story short, I had to use an old trick used by horsemen of old. The blessing was these two mares had been treated like wild horses and herded from one field to another. I just set up an environment that looked natural to them and was able to get them into the open trailer. All fourteen horses were safely transported to Safe Haven. The two paint mares were unloaded into the same lot until Ruth had space to separate them into different stalls.
A few days later Ruth called asking if I would come by and see what I could do about one of the paint mares. I did and within a couple days it was apparent for everyone’s safety the mare needed to be moved to a pen I had at Windridge. The abuse this little black and white paint mare underwent caused fear beyond what I had ever seen. The mare was going to hurt herself, or worse, a Safe Haven volunteer. I relocated the mare to the lot behind the old barn Windridge started in.
This little mare’s life began anew the next day. Each day I would work with her. First, I had to destroy the monsters in her life caused by abuse, second, I had to show her schooling was ok and third, I had to show her she could have a productive life.
While this little mare was under my care, one of our student’s mother became interested in her. Danielle and her mother Amy became very interested in this little mare. Week by week Amy would visit the lot while Danielle was riding. One day Amy walked up to me and said, “Margo we can’t let that little mare be adopted. What if she falls into the wrong hands again? Why can’t she stay here? If Danielle and I adopt her would you accept her as a donation for Windridge?” I smiled, hearing this woman’s heart and said yes. Amy named the little mare Fancy Rose after one of Windridge’s long time volunteer and board members.
Twenty-one months after Fancy Rose was picked up by Safe Haven, Danielle rode her little black and white paint mare the week of Thanksgiving. Danielle rides Fancy Rose as her lesson horse, but more impressively Danielle rides Fancy Rose each year at Windridge’s annual Horse & Rider event which approximately 800 people attend. Danielle and Rose look like they are performing a dance recital.
By Margo Dewkett
The Lesson Rose Reminds Us Of
“The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.’” Jeremiah 31:3
Rose moved from a life without future or hope to one filled with love. She was once valueless and now in the eyes of many she is priceless. She once stood in a place of darkness and fear and now she steadily carries children.
It is amazing what love can do. Love sees a difficulty, not an impossibility. Love sees the potential in a small, fearful black and white mare. Love sees past the habits of self preservation. It sees future success (such as carrying a teen rider in front of 800 excited guests) and looks past the failures. Between these two points, there are many lessons to cover. Long and difficult miles are still ahead, but love counts as each small milestone is viewed as a joyous triumph.
Rose will never win the famous Thoroughbred races called the Triple Crown. She will never be counted with the top of her species in the Hall of Champions. No descendants of hers will ever be famous, but in the lives she has touched, she is so much more. Rose is the face of hope and I have witnessed what loving kindness can accomplish. Rose is a reminder that occasionally what appears to be impossible can be achieved. Can be achieved through a faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
By Julia Bourcier
“The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.’” Jeremiah 31:3
Rose moved from a life without future or hope to one filled with love. She was once valueless and now in the eyes of many she is priceless. She once stood in a place of darkness and fear and now she steadily carries children.
It is amazing what love can do. Love sees a difficulty, not an impossibility. Love sees the potential in a small, fearful black and white mare. Love sees past the habits of self preservation. It sees future success (such as carrying a teen rider in front of 800 excited guests) and looks past the failures. Between these two points, there are many lessons to cover. Long and difficult miles are still ahead, but love counts as each small milestone is viewed as a joyous triumph.
Rose will never win the famous Thoroughbred races called the Triple Crown. She will never be counted with the top of her species in the Hall of Champions. No descendants of hers will ever be famous, but in the lives she has touched, she is so much more. Rose is the face of hope and I have witnessed what loving kindness can accomplish. Rose is a reminder that occasionally what appears to be impossible can be achieved. Can be achieved through a faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
By Julia Bourcier
Another excellent article!! I'm glad to finally know the details of little Rose's life.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing isn't it.
ReplyDelete