Pat and Ed
I was looking forward to being part of a team that provided love and care for horses who had experienced abuse and/or neglect and who were in need of a second chance and new start. And doing just that was going to be so much more than enough for me. What I didn't know at the time was the amazing opportunity WNCR was going to give me; one of the best, instructive, and really most amazing experiences of my life.
On that first day of orientation our group was involved in cleaning stalls and paddocks in the horse barn. We were told that in one particular stall was a somewhat unruly horse and that we should just skip that area. Being curious I looked in the stall to see a small (for her age of 1 year) sorrel filly, a baby! After inquiring about her I was told she was brought in as a surrender and that she had not been handled at all.
I told Char, the Board President, that I would like to spend some time with this little filly to work towards her accepting a halter. Accepting the halter is the doorway to a horse learning all the many things he or she needs to learn to become adoptable. Because I had many years of experience with horses, even though only adult horses, Char agreed. And so began my most excellent adventure with this beautiful little youngster, Bambi!
In about two weeks Bambi accepted the halter, and soon after that she was greeting me at the paddock gate when I came to visit her. I was thrilled - she enjoyed our friendship and she wanted to learn.
It was very soon that I figured out this little girl was one of the smartest horses I had ever known. From the get-go: Go over a tarp? No problem. Go through the obstacle course? Sure! Learn to walk, trot, canter on a lunge line? Will do. Accept a saddle pad? Why not? Cinch up a bareback pad around her belly? You bet. Walk around the ranch and look at all kinds of potentially scary things? Let's do it!
Four short months later Bambi entered WNCR's Adopt-A-Thon horse show in Albuquerque. Out of a field of 22 horses (all adult but 2) she placed 4th! People at the ranch would sometimes comment that I did such a great job training Bambi. My consistent response was that she makes me look good by being so easy to work with.
But I think in truth, we learned from each other. And I learned so much from her. This little filly became one of my life-teachers. And I gained so much - sharing a friendship with her while watching her grow and flourish.
And the happy ending for Bambi? She was adopted early this year by a wonderful 16 year old girl, Samantha, who has a lovely and supporting family who are thrilled to have Bambi now in their family. And it even gets better. Another WNCR horse, Tucker, was adopted by Samantha's brother, CJ. Now Bambi and Tucker are together in their real home with their real family.
Bambi's happy ending is enough for me, but for me too it gets better. Bambi's family has extended invitation for me to visit Bambi. And to assist Samantha with Bambi's transition.
I will continue to volunteer at WNCR and support other horses there, and I know I will fall in love with many of them as I did Bambi. But Bambi is special to me. I know I will always love her, think of her at her new home, and happily remember our most excellent adventure together.
Thank you WNCR for this.