"Lewis and Clark"
Two BLM mustangs the ages of 17 and 22 who were rescued a year ago from the BLM corrals. Lewis and Clark came from the Steens herd management area in Oregon, also known as theHollywood Herd, because of their high profile and easy access for photographs. These two former mustangs spent their entire lives, until recently, playing and posing for pictures, in the wide open ranges that they called home. Photographs of the dynamic duo have beent traced back as far as 11 years ago, but we expect that the stallions' relationship goes back much further than that.
Shamefully, the BLM gathered these two horses along with others from their herd and changed the lives of Lewis and Clark forever. At this late age the two were destined for sanctuary until the Burns Amendment mandated the BLM's sale authority program. Wording in the appropriation bill for the year 2006 stipulates that all BLM gathered horses over the age of 10 must be sold to any livestock auction or agent who will pay for them.
Many BLM horses were bought and subsequently sent to slaughter.
Lewis and Clark were spotted on the BLM website by a kind mustang loving couple who recognized them from photgraphs they displayed in their home of wild horse scenes. The couple decided to save the Hollywood hunks to keep them from suffering any further indignities, neglect and slaughter.
Once they were gelded they were allowed to go to their new home in Northern California where the best of the best horse trainers worked with them to gentle them down. The hope was that they would one day be nice riding horses for the couple who saved them.
Although the famous pair progressed famously, they still retained an edge of wildness. It became evident to their rescuers that these two horses might not be suitable for domestic life, and the happiest thing, the kindest thing they could do for them is to return them to a life of freedom.
This is where Lifesavers became involved. The kind couple called us and asked if we could give Lewis and Clark two spots in our Born To Be Wild Sanctuary. Even though our sanctuary is small, and we have more horses of our own that we would like to set free, the story of Lewis and Clark was so heartbreaking we just had to say yes. We rearranged our list of horses to be released and made room for these magnificent guys. With the support of our caring, compassionate donors we were able to open the gates for Lewis and Clark June 10th
Sponsor the pair for $150 per month:
THE FOLLOWING SANCTUARY HORSES ARE READY FOR SPONSORS:
"Foxtail"
Foxtail is a big beautiful mare from the Fish Creek rescue July 2003. She had an adorable baby in 2004 that we named Broomtail. Foxtail got her name because her tail was short and bristley when she first arrived at Lifesavers. She was chosen for the sanctuary because she's a big powerful and willful mare. She still comes unglued around people so she'd be happier running free.
Sponsors:
"Venice"
Venice is a gorgeous buckskin mare from the Fish Creek herd. She would probably make a nice horse for humans, but her feet were growing too long and we have too many horses still to gentle, so she has been chosen for release at the sanctuary so her feet will naturally wear down before they get too bad.
Sponosrs:
"Delilah"
Rescued in 1998 from the CowTown auction in Turlock, California. Delilah was a previous victim of neglect and was confiscated from her keeper by the County Animal Control. She was kept until the case was closed and then sent to the auction. She was born in 1995. Delilah has been one of Lifesavers' early rescues and has been a full time resident since her arrival in 1998. She has earned her place at the Sanctuary.
Sponsors:
"Wishes"
Wishes is an older mare from the BLM sale authority program. She was pregnant when we purchased her about one year ago. She gave birth to a cute little colt in 2005 and he has since been adopted.
Sponsors:
Savvy Stables, Mike & Cindy Giannini, Escondido, CA - September 2009 Custodian
"Shay"
This mare born in 1995 was adopted by a person who wasn't confident enough to gentle her. We brought her in and worked with her. We finally found her an adopter who we thought was committed to her life time care. One day we got a call that the adopter skipped town and left Shay behind with no means of support. We gladly took Shay back in. Though we feel Shay would make a nice riding horse for the right person, we would prefer to give her long deserved freedom.
Sponsors:
"Sangria"
This sweet mare was adopted and kept in a small corral for 9 straight years with little handling and virtually no freedom. We rescued her in 2005. This girl was an obvious pick for sanctuary. She has suffered too long. Sangria was born in 1990.
Sponsors:
In honor of Caroline E. Stosic, Monthly Custodian, February 2010
to commemorate her 30th birthday. Caroline is someone who is wild at heart and cherishes her freedom! She loves animals, especially horses. It is fitting that she is sponsoring Sangria, who with Caroline's support, can be free. Happy Birthday dear sister - Love, William, Holly, Jen and Jian
"Topaz"
One of the Virginia Range mares from Nevada rescued in 2002 to keep from going to slaughter. Her estimated year born is 1994. Topaz is very flighty and terrified of being too close to humans. We have worked with her enough to be able to trim her feet, but clearly she is a panic attack waiting to happen. Topaz' best friend is Bethlehem who has limited visition. Topaz is Beth's guide companion and sees for her. They are inseparable.
Sponsors:
The Young Riders Fandom - Internet Blogathon - Custodian September 2009
"Bethlehem"
Beth is a rescued mare from the Virginia Range of Nevada. As with Topaz she was saved from the slaughterhouse in 2002. Her estimated year of birth is 1990. While still in the Ag corrals in Nevada, before we even knew her, Beth suffered a serious eye injury which caused her to lose vision in that eye. She was gentled right away so we could administer medication and treat her injury. Beth was also the star of "That's My Baby" television show on Animal Planet. The program showed her giving birth to her colt "Blessing". Beth and Topaz are best friends. Beth relies on Topaz' vision to guide her along and keep her safe.
Sponsors:
The Young Riders Fandom - Internet Blogathon - Custondian September 2009
"Treasure"
This adorable mare was born in 2001 we think. She came to us a member of the Fish Creek herd in 2003. This group of mares and foals were removed from their wild herd area and moved to a small private ranch where they slowly starved and wasted away. 47 of the herd, mostly foals, passed away before we were notified of their hideous neglect. Treasure is a calm easy going horse. She was born with a spinal deformity which causes her backbone to stick up at her hip and sink lower at her withers. She is very sweet and we wanted to give her the gift of freedom at the sanctuary.
Sponsors:
"Heaven"
Heaven is a survivor of the 2003 Fish Creek rescue. We believe she was foaled in 2000 or so. She has a rare condition resulting possibly from an old injury. Some of her major abdomen muscles have either torn or stretched causing her to have a very saggy belly. She has been to the veterinarian to see if there was any treatment or repair possible, but there's really nothing that can be done. Her saggy belly is not life threatening as long as she never gets pregnant. Since we don't allow breeding, this won't be a issue for her. Sanctuary is her happy future.
Sponsors:
"Cyndia"
Cyndia is a young mare who was born in 2001. She was one of the 153 victims of the Fish Creek starvation rescue. Although she survived Fish Creek she did suffer an eye injury that left her with only one eye to see with. Her right eye is gone. We don't know what may have happened to her, possibly a puncture. She is beautiful and doesn't seem hindered at all with limited vision. She sticks close to Fallon for a little extra confidence.
Sponsors:
"Fallon"
Fallon is an older mare whose age is unknown. We guess she may have been born in the 80's or early 90's. Fallon came from the Virginia Range in Storey County, Nevada. She and her 5 herd mates were pending slaughter auction sale when Lifesavers rescued all 6 of them. She is small and quiet, but prefers to keep away from people. She's another who has survived a lifetime of difficulties and deserves to just live out her life peacefully.
Sponsors:
The Surnamer Famiily, New York, NY - Guardian Angel June 2009-May 2010
"Darryl"
Darryl is a big mare who is from the Virginia Range in Nevada. No one knows what these mares may have been through when being gathered by the NV Dept. of Ag and held at their facility pending adoption or auction, but some of the mares were traumatized terribly and some were badly injured, and all of them were very very sick. Only one of the bunch is considered adoptable. The rest, including big Darryl are sanctuary horses. We believe Darryl to have a birth year of 1990.
Sponsors:
"Elke"
Elke is one of the Virginia Range mares that would have made a wonderful adoptable horse. She is sweet and kind. She was gentled quickly upon arrival to Lifesavers back in 2002 due to a severe shoulder injury that was an open infected wound. We were never able to have the vet actually treat it as she was still too wild for that, but we were able to clean it and wipe ointment on until it finally healed over. There was some question as to whether Elke's wound may have been caused by a gun shot. Wild horses get shot at frequently. Her injury has left her a bit lame on her front right shoulder.
Sponsors:
"Franny"
Franny is a BLM mare over the age of 10 who was slated for "sale authority" by the BLM before being rescued by Lifesavers. She had a foal in 2004 who was adopted from the BLM and the foal's adopter asked Lifesavers cif we could save her mother. She has committed to Franny's support. We named Franny after her sponsor.
Sponsors:
Frances Fleming, Woodland Hills, CA - Guardian Angel for the year 2009
Thanks Frances!!!
"Tasha"
Tasha is one of the saddest stories you will hear about. She was originally adopted as a two year old in 1986 from the BLM by a man who tied a heavy tire to a chain and attached it to Tasha's halter and she dragged it around for days upon days until she became too weak to fight. This is how she was introduced to humans. The man never took her halter off and it finally grew into her face. She was eventually forcefully trained to ride and to pack. She was used to pack Elk carcasses out of the hunting grounds in Colorado where she came from. Tasha was routinely beaten around the face and head which caused her to become severly head shy and possibly visually impaired. She was finally bought away from the cruel adopter. Though her beatings stopped, now she was kept in a stall for 4 years with little or no excercise. The one time she was allowed out of her stall was to clear a field of toxic yellow star thistle. She managed to survive the toxic plant but has a deep cough. Tasha was eventually purchased by a kind woman who cared for her for several years, but came to a point where she couldn't afford to any longer. In 2000 she called us and asked us to take poor Tasha. How could we say anything but "how soon can you get her here"?. We always hoped we could make Tasha completely happy for once in her life. Her time has finally come.
Sponsors:
Annie & J, Charlotte, NC - Guardian Angel May 2009 - April 2010
"
"Carrie Dann"
Carrie Dann came from the Fish Creek rescue. Sometime before the rescue Carrie suffered a terrible injury to her left hind leg. She apparently caught it on some wire and stripped her leg of all her skin and tissue. As there was no treatement or medical care available her leg healed the best it could, but was overgrown with "proud flesh". When Lifesavers brought her home it was a priority to get her gentled as soon as possible so we could have her leg repaired before it went too far. Our staff trainer, Angi Keitel, worked diligently but patiently with Carrie Dann to earn her trust. Carrie had to be halterable, leadable, load into a horse trailer and let veterinarians handle her. This was a lot to ask of a fresh wild horse, but Angi and Carrie succeeded. Carrie was transported to Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center and Dr. Rick performed a delicate surgery to remove the old proud flesh. Carrie received skin grafts over her leg in two different surgeries. Though her leg is not beautiful, it has rather large scarring, she is sound on it for the most part and it is healed as much as it will ever be. You can see pictures of her surgeryhere.
Sponsors:
Danielle, Schutt, Alexandria, VA - Custodian June 2010
"Cambria"
Cambria is another BLM mare over the age of 10 who was to be sold by the BLM and would have possibly ended up at the slaughter house. She had a foal in 2005, but the foal did not survive. Cambria is Franny's best friend and they stick together like glue.
Sponsors:
"Winnie"
Winnie is a mare from the Fish Creek herd and her best friend is Twinny. We call them the twins because they look so much alike and are always together.
Sponsors:
Holly Stosic, Manhattan Beach, CA - Guardian Angel 2010
"This sponsorship is dedicated to my husband, William Stosic, who on a daily basis teaches me love and compassion"
"Twinny"
Twinny is from the Fish Creek herd. She is a mare of unknown age. She is a mirror image of her best friend Winnie. We have chosen Twinny and Winnie for the sanctuary so they can always be friends and never separated.
Sponsors:
William and Holly Stosic, Manhattan Beach, CA - Guardian Angel 2010
"Dedicated to our Jen-Jen - be a force for change"!
"Nandi"
Nandi is from the Fish Creek herd. She is one that is pretty frightened and explosive still so we have decided that this big girl can go back to nature and be happy.
Sponsors:
"Pearlie"
Pearlie is a unique colored appaloosa from the Fish Creek herd. Her coat is all white and you can see her mottled skin shine through it. Although we hoped to find her a great home with people who would love her, Pearlie decided that she would rather be free. So lucky girl - she gets to live at the sanctuary with her friends.
Sponosrs:
"Jasmine"
Jasmine is a mustang mare from the Fish Creek rescue. She was saddle trained and was to accompany Gene Glasscock across country on this long rider journey. However, she wasn't quite ready for such a committment and became very afraid. She learned to buck Gene out of the saddle and resorted to that escape everytime something would frighten her. Even though we believe a longer and more intense training schedule could bring her through those issues, we felt that the sanctuary was a better answer - at least for now.
Sponsors:
Marylou Taylor, Los Angeles, CA - Guardian Angel 2009
"There
once was a Lifesavers' apprentice
Who refused to go to the dentist
She saved all that cash
Into one big old stash
To sponsor a horse named Momentous*
footnote * Actually the name of the horse is Jasmine, but that only rhymes with
'has been' and
we didn't like the implication, I mean, just because she bites
and bucks and runs with
a wild herd... " M.T.
"Panama"
Panama was rescued from Arizona. He is a BLM branded mustang. Panama was bought and sold a few times finally ending up with a novice couple who didn't know much about horses. They realized shortly after buying him that he was too much to handle for them and that he seemed sore on his feet. It turned out that Panama is extremely lame from ringbone and maybe some other issues as well. He should have never been ridden like that, but unscrupulous horse traders sold him as rideable and then refused to take him back. That was lucky for Panama. He now resides at the Born To Be Wild Sanctuary where he hobbles around happily all day.
Sponsors:
Gina Nichols, Sugar Hill, GA - Guardian Angel 2009
"Happy Birthday Jackie! Look he's from Arizona! - Love Gina"
"Sope"
Sope (pronounced Soapy) is a Virginia Range mare that was used in a birth control study. When the study was over the mares and their babies were not allowed to be re-released to their home range. The mares that had babies are from failed birth control. There is always a percentage that will not "take" when given the birth control, and others that will fail after the drug wears off 2 or 3 years later. Sope and her foal Sudze (sudsy) were 1 of 9 pair that we took in. Sope is one of those high explosive horses that will undoubtedly do better in the wild than in a domestic setting.
Sponsors:
"Isis"
Isis is a beautiful buckskin mare from the Fish Creek rescue. She was waiting for her turn to be gentled and during a wild horse boot camp we determined that her personality was extreme and she could be dangerous if she wanted to be. Since we adopt horses to many inexperienced people the horses natural personality is a very important factor in matching adopters. Isis would require very experienced mustang handlers and even then she would be sketchy in the beginning phases of gentling so we decided that the sanctuary was her best option.
Sponsors:
This is Gertrude. She is a BLM mare over the age of 10 making her fall into the "sale authority" category who were in jeopardy of being sold to killer buyers and ending up at a slaughter house. We saved Gertrude from that awful fate. She is quite aged and has very weak pasterns. She gets along okay but certainly was not a candidate for adoption. She is living at the Sanctuary and very happy now.
Sponsors:
This is Goose. His story is tragic. He was confiscated by L.A. County Animal Control when he was found with his legs hog tied with his head in a halter that was tied to a tree. His head was hanging inches from the ground where his beaten and bloody body laid helpless waiting for some form of mercy. The AC agents almost missed him lying in the dark when they were called out to arrest drunkards for being cruel to cattle. He had been left for dead and almost was. He was so underweight and weak that the AC estimated he must have been left like that for days and days. They untied Goose but he was too weak to stand. He had to be rolled on to a blanket and his nearly lifeless body dragged into the horse trailer to get him to safety.
Goose was cared for and brought back to health. He now resides at the Born To Be Wild Sanctuary and is amazingly forgiving and friendly after all that he has been through. You can see a video of Goose here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxDXJUaI_pA
Sponsors:
The Young Riders Fandom - Internet Blogathon - Guardian Angel two full years 8/2009 -7/2011
Meet Grayson. He is a Percheron gelding originally rescued from the PMU industry. Grayson is the only non-mustang allowed to run with the wild herd at the sanctuary. He had very deeply imbedded issues with his unhealthy feet. He wouldn't allow anyone to trim them. It just scared him so much and caused him so much stress that we decided the best way to care for his hooves is to let nature do it. His inability to trust was a factor in deciding he go to the Sanctuary. It made him unable to be adopted, so now he runs the mountains like his mustang friends and his hooves never looked better. He's a giant among the little wild horses, but he doesn't know he's any different than them and fits in perfectly.
Sponsors: