Horse Training-Redwings Horse Sanctuary

Where I'm at: In bed
Weather: Fair, 64 degrees outside/inside - a little warmer
Sounds: crickets chirping, a jet plane
Sights: My painting of Greece on my wall, my curtains blowing in the wind
Mood: Excited!

Today I completed my Level 1 Training for the Redwings Horse Sanctuary (http://www.redwings.org/).
I'm sure you can get a hint from the name, but it's a place for abused, neglected, unwanted, unadoptable horses where they can live out the rest of their days safely and peacefully.

It was so cool! We spent the first half of the day learning about the organization, their 2 locations - Prunedale (Just north of Salinas) and Lockwood (South of King city), the psychology and physiology of horses, toured the tack room. Our "classroom" was in the middle of a corral with one of the biggest horses I have ever seen roaming around us. The second half was spent with the horses - hands on!

The Prunedale sanctuary is on a private ranch. The owner allows Redwings to keep up to 9 horses here. Let me introduce the horses to you: (I'll post photos of each next time I go down there)

Susan (the huge black Belgian that roamed around us) is a beautiful, old carriage horse. Her tail was cut (bone and all) so it wouldn't interfere with the carriage equipment and would be easier to take care of (basically they are lazy, and didn't want to braid her tail) - so she has a hard time keeping the flies off her.>: Susan was the Lead horse, but her age has slowed her down - Lover Boy now holds that title for the this group.
Lover Boy is another huge Belgian, except he is blonde. Not quite as big as Susan, but still huge. He is what the call a "Premarin" baby. I won't go in to details, but if you are interested, look it up. It's pretty sick and sad. He's still a little leery about people, but allowed us to rub him, but not harness him.
Ginger Snap is a young Thoroughbred. He's got an attitude, but I was able to harness him and walk him around the corral - after a little coaxing.<: He was a race horse that was injured and no longer wanted. Alisage is very old Thoroughbred - she's over 30! But she is still the Lead horse in this group. Where she goes the next two horses follow. It's amazing to see. We were able to harness her, but didn't have time to lead her around.
High Tide is another Thoroughbred. He's young, but has a bum right eye. No one knows if he can see out of it or not. He has a tongue issue too - wants you to scratch it - Which releases endorphins in a horse and they get addicted to it! (who'd a thunk!) We are never supposed to allow him to do this!
Jasmine is a small Sorrel. She was abused badly, and is still under weight. On top of that she has Cushing's Disease - causes a sway back, extended belly and very harry coat. We were never able to get close to her.

We spent the most time with Susan - as she is more used to and comfortable around strangers and "newbies". I had the best time! I am hoping to make it down there 1x if not 2x a month.

Why am I doing this? 1) I love horses, but have never been able to have one. 2) One of my deeply tucked away, hidden, secret dreams is to have a place that combines broken, abused horses with broken, abused children. Some friends of mine challenged me to pursue that dream - see if it's from God or just because I like horses and want to help kids in some way. So, I did a little research and found Redwings. We'll see where this takes me!

Even if it turns our that this isn't the dream God has for me - it's a way for me to get my "horse" fix and not have the expense of boarding, vetting, feeding and purchasing my own horse. It's a win-win!

Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future."