Johnny Thunder
April’s colt born May 26, 2008. Regal, smart, sensible, sweet love, runs like the wind, rears like his momma, high play drive, brave and very careful and smart with his body – from day one. He is a brilliant teacher of how a social facilitator operates and connects. He has a few quirks, likely from his quirky mom April, but tempered by his relationship with Holly, Sierra, Skye and Homer. Izzy has stepped in to the ranks of his best buddy group as well.
Johnny and April had a rough start together. His birth was difficult and caused physical injury to April. He was slow to get on his feet and slow to nurse but once all systems were sorted he was a firecracker. April, a first time mom in her 20s, was learning under fire how deal with a raucous and mostly sweet little boy horse. As much of a handful as Sierra was, Johnny added rough and tumble jumping, body slamming joy to the picture. Many of our funny April stories are all about how she found her way through parenting as a princess who we believe just longed for a nanny.
Johnny has benefited from his stable social horse group and he, like Sierra, has lived a life free from human-caused trauma. No training at two years old, no pressure to be anything but Sweet Love Johnny!
Johnny and April had a rough start together. His birth was difficult and caused physical injury to April. He was slow to get on his feet and slow to nurse but once all systems were sorted he was a firecracker. April, a first time mom in her 20s, was learning under fire how deal with a raucous and mostly sweet little boy horse. As much of a handful as Sierra was, Johnny added rough and tumble jumping, body slamming joy to the picture. Many of our funny April stories are all about how she found her way through parenting as a princess who we believe just longed for a nanny.
Johnny has benefited from his stable social horse group and he, like Sierra, has lived a life free from human-caused trauma. No training at two years old, no pressure to be anything but Sweet Love Johnny!
Holly
Born May 19, 2000 – The first broodmare to come from the health dispersal in Montana and the one we were most concerned about. She had a hard life physically and emotionally. Her worth was solely based on her ability to produce a baby every year that was then taken from her well before it is natural to do so. Babies stay with their mother's herd for the better part of two years, some young mares for most of their lives. What we do in abruptly separating babies from their mother's is horrendous. Breeders of all species take what they want from the perpetual cycle of animals they produce in the ever present desire to create a "perfect" specimen, neglecting or worse, those that don't have that promise.
The life of a female in a breeding operation is about money and human ego; care is minimal to keep expenses down and profits up. In the range operation that Holly came from, the mares aren’t handled except for breeding or being impregnated, minimal routine or even emergency care is provided year after year. Holly first caught our eye because of her feet. She had been lame off and on her whole life. She has scars on her lower legs from being tied, probably to keep her from kicking a stallion she did not want to mate with.
The year we saw her she had suffered the emotional and physical terror of being severely attacked by a stallion. The scars on her neck bare witness to that horror.
The life of a female in a breeding operation is about money and human ego; care is minimal to keep expenses down and profits up. In the range operation that Holly came from, the mares aren’t handled except for breeding or being impregnated, minimal routine or even emergency care is provided year after year. Holly first caught our eye because of her feet. She had been lame off and on her whole life. She has scars on her lower legs from being tied, probably to keep her from kicking a stallion she did not want to mate with.
The year we saw her she had suffered the emotional and physical terror of being severely attacked by a stallion. The scars on her neck bare witness to that horror.
Holly arrived pregnant, within weeks of giving birth. Our empathy for her was immense. What must it be like to be that pregnant, in a new place, surrounded by strangers, weeks away from giving birth and having no idea if you were safe or not. Who were your allies? Did you have any here? No doubt these were thoughts she had.
We gave her space and time and kindness. She was a fundamentally kind mare, in spite of what humans had done to her. When she gave birth, she was dangerously protective for two weeks and we gave her as much privacy and protection as she needed to feel safe. Within a month, she was warm, kind, and generously sharing her little filly with us.
We promised her she would never have to give up another baby. She was in Sanctuary. She would have a stable group of horses with her, including her daughter, for the rest of her life.
It is easy to imagine the anguish other social mammal mother's must go through in the process of having their babies taken from them year after year. It has to be a hopeless living hell.
We gave her space and time and kindness. She was a fundamentally kind mare, in spite of what humans had done to her. When she gave birth, she was dangerously protective for two weeks and we gave her as much privacy and protection as she needed to feel safe. Within a month, she was warm, kind, and generously sharing her little filly with us.
We promised her she would never have to give up another baby. She was in Sanctuary. She would have a stable group of horses with her, including her daughter, for the rest of her life.
It is easy to imagine the anguish other social mammal mother's must go through in the process of having their babies taken from them year after year. It has to be a hopeless living hell.
As Holly has grown to trust her life here at the Sanctuary she has shown us another special skill that she possesses...we think she may be part Labrador because she can smell food in places no horse would think to look. She puts herself in some pretty tight spots to get it too and is unflappable as she has to negotiate backing out of those tight spots....the garage, the feed rooms, and most recently, the chicken coop which required going in to the run, then stepping through the window and having her big quarter horse body fill the coop entirely while she put her nose in the feeders.
Fortunately, she didn't have to back through the window to get out...although she probably could have done it!
Fortunately, she didn't have to back through the window to get out...although she probably could have done it!
Sierra
Born May 23, 2008, just three days before Johnny. Our intention with Holly’s arrival in foal and April’s pregnancy was to give the mares and foals as close to a healthy equine social group as possible under the constraints of captivity. Sierra’s birth was nature scripted and perfect. Holly was experienced and her little filly hit the ground feisty, sweet, spicy, athletic, coy, and confident.
After a couple of weeks, Holly started to settle in to her new home and by the time Sierra was born, she felt safe. This little equine dropped on the ground with confidence and it has been fascinating to see how an experienced, emotionally resilient mare encourages that confidence. Holly taught us so much.
After a couple of weeks, Holly started to settle in to her new home and by the time Sierra was born, she felt safe. This little equine dropped on the ground with confidence and it has been fascinating to see how an experienced, emotionally resilient mare encourages that confidence. Holly taught us so much.
Sierra can be as hot as a firecracker and as cool as a cucumber. As a youngster she found every place that she shouldn’t put her head and put it there with a couple of scars to prove it. She is a pistol and a love who has suffered no human caused trauma in her lifetime....a rarity between humans and horses.
Sierra knows the name we call her mother. When they are not together and we call Holly to come up to the barn from where ever she has wandered off to, Sierra immediately knows who we are calling. She gets excited and starts looking in the direction we are calling and she starts calling her too. These two have had a big impact on some of our clients needing to resolve their own mother/child challenges.
Sierra knows the name we call her mother. When they are not together and we call Holly to come up to the barn from where ever she has wandered off to, Sierra immediately knows who we are calling. She gets excited and starts looking in the direction we are calling and she starts calling her too. These two have had a big impact on some of our clients needing to resolve their own mother/child challenges.
Montana
Montana is the horse who started it all. The first horse we adopted, the one who challenged everything we thought we knew about horses, the one who never settled for anything less than us showing up with an open heart and willingness to try and understand who he was and is!
Very often, our most important lessons in life, are unexpected, very challenging, and often painful. Montana started his life as a "grade" (throw away) companion for a thoroughbred who was a hopeful racer. Both horses were babies, both suffered neglect and judging from the behaviors of both horses when they arrived here, abuse as well. Montana's friend moved on to a thoroughbred rescue and we began our journey together.
When everything you know isn't enough, when the pain of someone you love is so evident and yet so out of reach for you to fix, you have two choices. Give up or Grow! We never gave up and today, Montana is such an important part of everything we do, teach, and believe in.
For those of us who work with him in animal assisted sessions, he is fondly called "The Magician" because of the incredible breakthroughs and relational experiences people have with him. He can big and bold, kind and patient, and sometimes obnoxious, and also the first guy we call on when we have a vulnerable client who needs a careful hand.
Very often, our most important lessons in life, are unexpected, very challenging, and often painful. Montana started his life as a "grade" (throw away) companion for a thoroughbred who was a hopeful racer. Both horses were babies, both suffered neglect and judging from the behaviors of both horses when they arrived here, abuse as well. Montana's friend moved on to a thoroughbred rescue and we began our journey together.
When everything you know isn't enough, when the pain of someone you love is so evident and yet so out of reach for you to fix, you have two choices. Give up or Grow! We never gave up and today, Montana is such an important part of everything we do, teach, and believe in.
For those of us who work with him in animal assisted sessions, he is fondly called "The Magician" because of the incredible breakthroughs and relational experiences people have with him. He can big and bold, kind and patient, and sometimes obnoxious, and also the first guy we call on when we have a vulnerable client who needs a careful hand.
He is also known for his incredible intelligence. There isn't a lock or gate latch he hasn't figured out. Many defy logic because he doesn't have fingers for the complicated task. Teeth and lips work just fine! Once he is free, he often opens the gates of other horse residents...because he can!
Our journey together has been incredible and hard and so meaningful.
Our journey together has been incredible and hard and so meaningful.
Izzy
Our first mini horse. We were called in by a veterinarian to help with two horses in need and we rescued Izzy and her Thoroughbred friend in the summer of 2011 from serious neglect. We were able to re-home the TB and he lived his the rest of his life being loved and adored.
Izzy it turned out was not really re-home-able because of her inability to get along with any other horses. She was overtly defensive with every horse she met at our sanctuary; on her hind legs, mouth open, teeth bared, never minding that she is a third the size of every horse here. We have no idea what her life was like prior to coming to live at One Heart Wild but her trauma was obvious; socially, emotionally, and physically. Her healing has been slow and profound and paralleled by our mini horse learning curve which has been steep and compelling.
She has found her place, has made two best friends and a couple of good friends within the group and she coexists with everyone else. Our lessons in Izzy School started the day we removed her from her neglect and asked her to get in the trailer. Let’s just say her answer was ‘hell no!” on that hot summer day and we had to dig deep to find successful communication – she was at liberty (we didn’t have a halter for her) so we did it on her terms. She has continued to demand her voice be considered and she has strong opinions about her life. We can relate!
Izzy it turned out was not really re-home-able because of her inability to get along with any other horses. She was overtly defensive with every horse she met at our sanctuary; on her hind legs, mouth open, teeth bared, never minding that she is a third the size of every horse here. We have no idea what her life was like prior to coming to live at One Heart Wild but her trauma was obvious; socially, emotionally, and physically. Her healing has been slow and profound and paralleled by our mini horse learning curve which has been steep and compelling.
She has found her place, has made two best friends and a couple of good friends within the group and she coexists with everyone else. Our lessons in Izzy School started the day we removed her from her neglect and asked her to get in the trailer. Let’s just say her answer was ‘hell no!” on that hot summer day and we had to dig deep to find successful communication – she was at liberty (we didn’t have a halter for her) so we did it on her terms. She has continued to demand her voice be considered and she has strong opinions about her life. We can relate!
We can't imagine the Sanctuary without her, she loves working with our clients, and has become an integral part of everything we do. She continues to teach us all that what you believe you can do, you can do...regardless of size or strength, boundaries matter A LOT, and cooperation happens within mutually respectful relationships. All of that and more from the smallest horse at the Sanctuary!
While Izzy has made friends in the herd, Montana has stolen her heart and their relationship has blossomed into a love affair. Who can blame her?
While Izzy has made friends in the herd, Montana has stolen her heart and their relationship has blossomed into a love affair. Who can blame her?
Skye King
Born May 19, 2005 - a quarter horse breeder in Montana was beginning to disburse their herd due to health issues. We were closely following a few mares that were most at risk and yet, somehow, the first horse that came from that dispersal was Skye, a two year old gelding who hadn't been a consideration.
When he arrived he was literally covered in ticks, bite marks, and he was sick. He had stripes down his hind legs from chronic diarrhea for nearly a year no matter what we tried. We will never know for sure what was causing his physical problems, they eventually subsided and he has been a healthy guy ever since.
We are curious about the psychological costs he paid being the only young male among thirty broodmares; this is very unnatural and most certainly affected his social development and likely exposed him to a lot of stress. The bite marks all over him were likely due to mares who grew impatient with the rough play of a young colt.
When Johnny came along a couple of years later, Skye finally got to experience being a young male horse - rough housing and playing within a group of different aged geldings and mares. He is kind, quiet, patient, and a dedicated energy conservationist. He is also very social. It was hard to find a photo of him that didn't include Johnny, a client or volunteer.
When he arrived he was literally covered in ticks, bite marks, and he was sick. He had stripes down his hind legs from chronic diarrhea for nearly a year no matter what we tried. We will never know for sure what was causing his physical problems, they eventually subsided and he has been a healthy guy ever since.
We are curious about the psychological costs he paid being the only young male among thirty broodmares; this is very unnatural and most certainly affected his social development and likely exposed him to a lot of stress. The bite marks all over him were likely due to mares who grew impatient with the rough play of a young colt.
When Johnny came along a couple of years later, Skye finally got to experience being a young male horse - rough housing and playing within a group of different aged geldings and mares. He is kind, quiet, patient, and a dedicated energy conservationist. He is also very social. It was hard to find a photo of him that didn't include Johnny, a client or volunteer.
Rasa
Born March 28, 2001, Rasa is another broodmare from the medical dispersal in Montana. She and Annie spent a year on a breed lease in Wyoming before finding their way to our Sanctuary. She was a shattered mare, physically, medically, and emotionally when we picked her up from the transporter to bring her home. She and Annie both had foals with contracted tendons, typically caused by a nutritional deficiency in the mares during pregnancy. A condition in our world that is very fixable, but in the world the babies were born into, it was a death sentence handed out by humans. With no compassion for the mares and no opportunity for basic veterinary knowledge to give the babies a chance, human superiority won and the horses lost.
The mares were started under saddle during their time in Wyoming and clearly that human experience brought additional trauma. Rasa was so talented, the pressure was on to get her ready for Nationals, newly started under saddle, dominated, and pressured without an ounce of empathy, she was driven until her body broke down, her mind along with it, and her immune system followed. She was a very sick and very underweight shell of a horse when she arrived. Her post traumatic stress behavior was so severe the slightest sound out of the ordinary would cause her to nearly jump out of her skin and send her trembling to the opposite side of her paddock. Through attending to her veterinary needs, we discovered she has a painful degenerative tissue disease that will need special care for the rest of her life. We are very grateful to be part of an ongoing research protocol led by Dr. Kellon for Rasa's condition that includes how we manage her feet, a supplement regime, and pain medication for acute spells.
The mares were started under saddle during their time in Wyoming and clearly that human experience brought additional trauma. Rasa was so talented, the pressure was on to get her ready for Nationals, newly started under saddle, dominated, and pressured without an ounce of empathy, she was driven until her body broke down, her mind along with it, and her immune system followed. She was a very sick and very underweight shell of a horse when she arrived. Her post traumatic stress behavior was so severe the slightest sound out of the ordinary would cause her to nearly jump out of her skin and send her trembling to the opposite side of her paddock. Through attending to her veterinary needs, we discovered she has a painful degenerative tissue disease that will need special care for the rest of her life. We are very grateful to be part of an ongoing research protocol led by Dr. Kellon for Rasa's condition that includes how we manage her feet, a supplement regime, and pain medication for acute spells.
Because of her trauma and sensitive nature, her healing has been a very slow, quiet, and persistent process. She is one of the most expressive mares we have ever known and we are just barely at the tip of knowing what lies beneath the protective layers. She is an amazing passive, connected, unassuming intricate piece of the stable social domestic group.
When she came, we renamed her Tabula Rasa which means ‘clean slate’ and we started on that together. Her emotional healing has come full circle and she is often the first horse to step up to the gate for clients with trauma and anxiety. A huge turning point for her was befriending a very troubled mare that was transferred to us from the Humane Society. Rasa rose above her own challenges to support Mia through thick and thin. They moved from traumatic attachment to healthy best friends and taught us so much in the process.
Rasa didn't look back after Mia passed. She began experimenting with having an opinion, and it has been met with full acceptance. In that process of trusting her own voice and being respected, she blossomed yet again. Today you can see her squeal with joy and protest, choose the paddock she wants and refuse to accept anything less, and show up for clients with a knowing, open heart.
When she came, we renamed her Tabula Rasa which means ‘clean slate’ and we started on that together. Her emotional healing has come full circle and she is often the first horse to step up to the gate for clients with trauma and anxiety. A huge turning point for her was befriending a very troubled mare that was transferred to us from the Humane Society. Rasa rose above her own challenges to support Mia through thick and thin. They moved from traumatic attachment to healthy best friends and taught us so much in the process.
Rasa didn't look back after Mia passed. She began experimenting with having an opinion, and it has been met with full acceptance. In that process of trusting her own voice and being respected, she blossomed yet again. Today you can see her squeal with joy and protest, choose the paddock she wants and refuse to accept anything less, and show up for clients with a knowing, open heart.
Annie
Born April 7, 2002. Annie eventually found her way to us but not without suffering major life trauma that included the death of her foal along with Rasa's. She escaped the pain by weaving or freezing. While Rasa was hyper reactive to her environment, Annie went the opposite direction and shut down deep within herself. She too would run to the end of the paddock, her body trembling, but not from a noise, those barely registered for her. It was always from something a human asked of her, even a simple “could you move a bit to the side” would send her in to a panic.
It took three years to see solid improvement in her and Rasa's emotional resilience. She has been slower to trust and to allow a connection to comfort her. Her emotions are written all over her face like we have never seen before. When she is experiencing a sense of safety, trust and connection, the photographs of her facial expressions are stunning. When she slips back into the place of frozen passive defensiveness and lack of emotional trust with humans, she literally looks like a different horse.
She too is a post traumatic stress survivor. Her weaving will still show up on occasion when she has difficulty processing her emotion but it is infrequent and easily soothed. She is finding her place, feeling connected and confident with the people and horses here at the Sanctuary. Her playful and intelligent nature is coming out in her ability to open locks, doors, latches and chest plow gates open. Isn't that great. ; ) She is also part of a tight knit social group we fondly call the "Power Squad" - she, Holly and Sierra.
It took three years to see solid improvement in her and Rasa's emotional resilience. She has been slower to trust and to allow a connection to comfort her. Her emotions are written all over her face like we have never seen before. When she is experiencing a sense of safety, trust and connection, the photographs of her facial expressions are stunning. When she slips back into the place of frozen passive defensiveness and lack of emotional trust with humans, she literally looks like a different horse.
She too is a post traumatic stress survivor. Her weaving will still show up on occasion when she has difficulty processing her emotion but it is infrequent and easily soothed. She is finding her place, feeling connected and confident with the people and horses here at the Sanctuary. Her playful and intelligent nature is coming out in her ability to open locks, doors, latches and chest plow gates open. Isn't that great. ; ) She is also part of a tight knit social group we fondly call the "Power Squad" - she, Holly and Sierra.