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Wild Horses
July 29th, 2007I want to plug a place that earned a permanent spot in my cynical old heart. In this wicked and woeful world, finding people with good hearts, who care deeply and are passionate about life, they are rare finds. This past week I may have struck the mother lode.
Such is the nature of the Wild Horse Sanctuary, wedged between Redding California and Mount Lassen. This 5,000 acre plot of Paradise is dedicated to letting wild horses stay wild. The Sanctuary is a non-profit organization and one still run by founder Dianne Nelson, with help from many volunteers and Diane’s homespun husband Ted.
The sanctuary was originally started when the Bureau of Land Management wanted to kill 80 wild horses roaming on public lands — such is the blind nature of government. In a utopian fit of disgust rivaled only by Kinky Friedman’s Animal Resuce Ranch, the founders made a life-altering decision, for themselves and the 80 horses, and instantly established the sanctuary. The bands of horses have thrived, bred, and some are culled for adoption. I spent two days communing with a paint named Cloud, who was born wild but now works as a trail horse.
(Truth be told, Cloud pretty much volunteered for domestic duty. See, Cloud is part pig, eating anything he can wrap his lips around. After seeing that stable nags had their breakfast delivered every morning, he decided being a kept horse was a damn good option).
These good folk can use your help, and they have a variety of needs, from cash to halters to a new computer. You can volunteer time and labor, or even just buy some merchandise. And if you fancy getting close to the horses, then sign-up for an overnight trail ride (the fees help keep the sanctuary afloat).
