"That's just like what happened with me.”
We hear that phrase uttered often as we share horse’s stories of how they came to Freedom Reigns Ranch. But each time someone shares, I am struck with wonder as I know the God of all creation knew this moment would happen and that it would be a key to unlocking someone’s further healing and freedom.
A few weeks ago Freedom Reigns Ranch became the owners of our first mares (girl horses). While we’ve had mares in short term foster as rescues, we’ve never had them long term as our own. Managing pastures when you have a herd of boys running around at a small facility didn’t make the ideal situation. Now that we have nearly four times the pasture space, we could say yes!
A series of conversations led to us winding down back country roads on a rainy morning to pick up the two horses. It was also on the first day of sessions for the Spring Season- there are no coincidences! As a symbolic acknowledgment of a rescue horse's new life with us, we give them a name that often comes to us as we pray about their arrival. I felt like God highlighted the names “Hope” and “Promise” and remember thinking that seemed odd for geldings… and then we learned they were mares!
We named the little palomino, Hope, and her light bay, now teenage daughter, Promise.
We went straight to the vet to get their initial intake done. Hope’s initial weight was 721lb, indicating she was missing about 350 lbs. from her petite frame. Promise was starting out at a much better 921lbs but still had 150 to gain. Hoof rehabilitation was also in order. From there, we headed back to the Ranch where our Junior Volunteers excitedly awaited their arrival.
When a new horse comes to the Ranch, whether they’ve been loved their whole life or they come on death’s door with the last bit of strength they have left, they receive a hero’s welcome. A place waiting for them with fresh water, minerals, quality hay, a blanket (thanks to the generosity of Weatherbeeta), a grooming box with their name on it and a brand new set of brushes, and all the TLC they could ever desire. In the hours that followed, our Junior Volunteers tenderly detangled every single cocklebur from their manes, tails, and forelocks rather than take the easy way out of cutting them off, then braided each with the excellence fit for a show pen. Hope and Promise reveled in the love and care they were receiving, rotating between the minerals, salt, water, and resting. They soaked in every moment.
Over the next several days they received a meticulous amount of quality alfalfa every two hours around the clock so-as not to shock their starved systems. It didn’t take them long to figure out that anyone walking toward their direction meant a tasty meal was coming and they began softly nickering (a horse’s way of saying they were pleased, happy, and beckoned your presence) every time someone approached.
They thrived under this care and nutrition, their personalities blossoming as much as their new health was starting to shine through. They even felt good enough to start showing their preferences (which resulted in a few corrections to set some boundaries in their new world… yes, love has boundaries!)
Exceeding all expectations, they were able to move from the quarantine pen to their semi-permanent paddock quickly as they no longer required around-the-clock observation. They began to shed their winter coats because they didn’t need it anymore to keep warmth over their emaciated bodies. The shedding required a lot of extra grooming! When one of our session kids arrived late due to an unanticipated detour and we only had about 45 minutes before the sun set one evening in March, I suggested we go and spend some time with “the new girls” to brush them.
Carly, as we will call her (name changed for confidentiality), has been coming to Freedom Reigns Ranch for several years. In the time I’ve known her, she has always been enthusiastic about coming to the Ranch and being around the horses. Her personality is bubbly, energetic, and she is a genuinely caring person. She is always looking forward to the next goal, setting excellence as the standard for herself which has sometimes led to anxiety and perfectionism. In a world that says “you are what you accomplish”, even though her adoptive parents have never put that expectation on her, her self-determined pressure and the reality of the current culture can make it a challenge to simply be present.
It’s no wonder that session activities often have moments that remind us that our worth doesn’t come from doing, but in simply being who we are- a beloved Child of God… like a beloved rescued horse.
We entered their paddock, the familiar nickers anticipating food and attention greeted us. We began to brush each mare, astonished at the amount of hair coming off of each, laughing as the wind always seemed to blow IN our direction and never away resulting in being absolutely covered in horsehair. Amidst laughter Carly asked “So what’s their story?”.
When you look at Hope you see determination and a wise expression of confidence that tells me she has seen a lot in life. Promise, her daughter, is a light bay full of spark and with a little more hesitance that seems to indicate she relies on her mother to tell her how to perceive a situation. But she simultaneously has a streak of stubbornness and is not always wanting to listen to her mom’s perspective (sounds like a typical teen girl, huh?).
While we don’t know what happened in the first part of Hope’s life, we know that Promise’s was one born into chaos and fear.
For whatever circumstances preceded, a pregnant palomino mare was dumped at an auction. In the stress and chaos of the sale barn, she birthed her foal on the dirty, disease-filled holding pen just before the auction began. The mare, with an hours-old foal at her side sold to the highest bidder. And when the auctioneer said that they would simply kill the baby, the person who won the bid on the mare had compassion and decided to pay to save her life as well.
The years that followed were good. Days were filled with compassion, love, and some training to build a foundation that would set the mother and daughter up for success at the hands of an owner who loved them dearly and invested into their lives. But life isn’t always kind and sometimes circumstances beyond our control can cause basic needs to be hard to provide for...no matter how hard someone diligently tries. While it is certainly not an excuse to withhold from meeting those needs, it can be really hard to ask for help or even know where to turn. When someone compassionately offers, true unconditional love says yes despite the personal heartache it can cause to let go.
Time stood still as the last light of the day left Carly barely visible over Hope’s back.
“That’s just like what happened with me.” She said still brushing her. "With my mom. She loved me so much that she knew she couldn’t take care of me the way I deserved and that’s why my parents adopted me.”*
We continued to talk about her mom, Hope and Promise’s former owner, and just how much love it takes to truly do the absolute best for someone even when it can mean heartache for the person letting go. “And now they get all the love and care they could ever need. And their lives are awesome”*
“And my life is pretty awesome, too”*
It was one of the deeper connections that only God can orchestrate. Carly began to understand unconditional love and redemption. And I doubt she will ever forget it.
Redemption is powerful. When you see it unfold it leaves a lasting poignant impact.
How beautiful that God would choose for Hope and Promise to end up at Freedom Reigns Ranch for that moment.
Because of it, Carly got to see redemption in real-time.
Written by Carissa Ramsdell, Founder/Executive Director
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