Lesson from wild horses #2: Sometimes you have to close your eyes in order to see
At Wild Horse Sanctuary with a band of wise and inspiring humans from Anna Twinney Holistic HorsemanshipI was assigned a curious yearling named Moon. At first we were to just be with our horses, getting to know them for the first time. I observed Moon’s bright eyes, his boldness to stick his nose over the fence, his playfulness in his water bucket. When we reconvened as a group, Anna asked who had closed their eyes to just “feel” their horse… that was the first hint that this week would be more… and a little different… than I had bargained for. Four years ago I might have instinctually closed my eyes to “feel” my horse, find his soul and see what my eyes couldn’t see. It was seeing without my eyes in visions and words that led me to pursue my Master’s of Divinity. But the irony of seminary, I was warned ahead of time, is that it is the place where faith goes to die. That didn’t turn out to be completely true, but I haven’t closed my eyes much any more. Those three years fed the deeply analytical, logical, scientific part of my brain, while leaving a heart that once didn’t blink an eye at the dead being raised, starving. I have had nights where I vaguely feel my heart grieving a loss of faith and closeness with Holy Spirit, replaced by skepticism and critique. And though I am no longer in the seminary environment, I learned to live almost entirely in that brainy part of me as a convenient self defense against heart connection, which I have learned often hurts and disappoints. It took only to day 2 for me to hit a wall and find that all my brain power could not get me through the week. Outside circumstances were threatening to prevent me from returning to the clinic the rest of the week, and I could not for the life of me figure out how to fix it. I broke, and though I think few saw it, I cried more tears that day than I have in years. The wonderful Liz Juenke saw the tears and warmly provided the solution that I couldn’t have seen, allowing me to stay at the sanctuary for the rest of the week. I let go of all the other things I had planned to accomplish that week, and determined to just be present and open. The idea popped into my head to start making blindfolded drawings of the horses for each of the participants, an exercise that I find fun and people usually enjoy the whimsical drawings that result. And thus, I began to close my eyes again. I saw each one of our yearlings, and each of my peers. I saw the lessons that each one had to teach me: gratitude, patience, passion, love, determination, grit, faith… Moon began to respond differently too. As I opened my heart to him, he opened his to me, and we bridged a gap of several feet that for the first few days I could only reach with a pole. He let me in close and allowed me to rub his face, then his neck, his chest, his withers, and his sides. Sitting in stillness with him, I began to see far beneath his surface. I saw his youthful innocence, his willingness to learn an entirely new way of life, his slight apprehension about the future, and his dream for green grass, which I later learned comes from having to forage for limited food during our drought when he, his sister, and his mom wandered too far from where food is plentiful in the sanctuary. When I closed my eyes I began to see what Anna Twinney was calling God winks, divine beauty and divine connections that lay just under the skin of every one of the horses, humans, Carl the dog, and even the turkeys that graced us with their company.
Wildlife ecologist Craig C. Downer tells of his odyssey in defence of Australia’s Brumbies, and adds an urgent plea to halt plans to cull them by shooting.
From late September through early November of 2014, I came to the fabulous continent “down under” to meet its hardy Brumbies, or wild horses. Guided by some amazing Australians, both those who defended and those who managed these compelling animals, I entered wide-eyed into several regions across this vast and ancient land.
I had just become a member of the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) and was very pleased to participate in its week-long, annual conference in Alice Springs. Here I presented a poster concerning the positive contributions Brumbies make to ecosystems and argued in their defence.
My six-week adventure turned me on to just how rigorous Australia is and to how admirable any species’ survival also is, in this character-building place. I found the Outback’s Aborigines native wisdom intriguing and the rugged Snowy River horsemen vibrant and engaging. Also, the biologists who are dedicating their lives to learning about and preserving the great variety of life forms here presented me with valuable insights and important challenges. And my group the wild Brumby defenders were as positively impressive as any. They seemed very soulful yet strongly connected to Mother Earth. As in an ecosystem with its various species, each group was answering its own special calling, defending what its own history and experience had prepared it for. About each one, there was something respectably unique and, for this very reason, indispensably related.
In coming to Australia, I felt I also had a special calling, a reason for belonging in this place and time. For certain my coming was a response to the horses themselves, as I possess a special affinity for these extraordinary presences.
Seems like yesterday that I was growing up with my fine “mustanger” companion, a tall, deep-chestnut stallion named Poco with a white star on his forehead. We shared many great adventures in the impressive mountains and vast deserts of Nevada and California, discovering enchanting places and encountering their very astounding inhabitants, each a special presence in its own right with a unique story to convey and an indispensable role to play. Poco and his kin the wild horses (which he always greeted with irrepressible enthusiasm) taught me so much and had a major hand in shaping my life from a tender age forward. These characters instilled in me a profound feeling for life’s true meaning including the importance of its natural freedom and of each living kind’s and individual’s inseverable relation to each and every other. In un-premeditated fashion, I learned the holy meaning of “Mitakuye Oyasin,” which is Lakota for: “We are all related.” This refers not just to fellow people but to all life – all beings! I profoundly sensed it was Poco’s prayer, and it became my prayer, and together we sang it strongly as we wandered far and wide, as free as the wind blows, yet with an uncanny direction we also sensed and shared.
Thanks to this start, as I grew older, I continued to seek my way toward what I deemed to be greater truth and justice, not just for myself and my kind, but for the horses and the whole natural life community with whom I identified. All this “Great Mystery,” as the Indians call life, deserves much more respect in today’s society; while not forgetting our importance as humans, we should take none of the other species for granted. And our human value is greatly defined by our relation to the Great Rest of Life.
There were certain premonitions that confirmed my acceptance of an invitation to come to Australia and become involved in Brumby defense. Suffice it to say: These were amazing!
During my career as an ecologist, I have grown acutely aware of what is happening to Earth’s shared life community. And my speciality has become the mammalian order Perissodactyla, which includes the Horse, Tapir and Rhino families. This ancient order arose shortly after the demise of the Dinosaurs caused by a giant meteorite that struck the Earth about 65 million years ago, wiping out a large percentage of the planet’s living creatures. This group of herbivores have played a major role for many millions of years in various continents and still do in many places today, yet their position is now quite precarious. In fact, they are an endangered order with 13 of 17 extant species classified as Threatened or Endangered on the Red Data List of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, to which I belong. I offer a PowerPoint on these redoubtable animals along with a moving speech: “The World’s Endangered Species Today Present a Crisis of Conscience for Humanity.”
In short, I’ve done my homework and am ready to defend the horses and all Perissodactyla. Though disappearing, they are truly valuable and most needed in regard to restoring the Whole of Life, and no species is better poised to do this than the modern-day horse (Equus caballus). They are restorers of balance in ecosystems, complementing ruminants and replenishing overgrazed soils, turning them into “living sponges” that equitably release life-giving water throughout the year. They are amazing gardeners who sow a great variety of seeds far and wide and provide them with fertile beds to enable their successful germination through their humus-enriching droppings. It must be understood that Perissodactyls possess a different digestive system from ruminants, which include most herbivores raised or encouraged by humans: cattle, sheep and goats for consumption; deer and other cervids for hunters, etc. The ruminants, usually cloven-hoofed, possess a multi-stomach, cud-chewing process that more thoroughly extracts nutrients from their forage. Ruminant droppings offer much less nutrient value to soils and to food chains and webs than do the droppings of the horses (tapirs, rhinos, and others including elephants).
Simply stated, in the world of nature, horses are top-notch humus creators and intact seed dispersers. They are valuable gardeners in their natural habitat. They practice patchiness of grazing that leaves islands to set seed and they heal the wounds of erosion and toxic pollution and in many other ways restore the biodiversity and with it life’s resilience that too often an inconsiderate humanity has taken away. The horses do all this – if so allowed. Though they do not have the same deep evolutionary roots in Australia as do the marsupial mammals such as kangaroos, their roots are quite deep on Earth and they have compatibly lived alongside marsupials in South America and elsewhere for millions of years. They can harmoniously adapt and co-exist with more deeply native Australian fauna and flora. We people just have to give them the chance to show us how it’s done, rather than negatively prejudging them.
During this era of Global Warming, it’s crucially important to recognize the critical life-saving value of Brumbies in mitigating and even preventing catastrophic wildfires. And I need not remind you of how devastating these have recently been. The post-gastric digestive system of horses permits them to survive on drier, coarser vegetation without over-taxing their metabolism and their great mobility permits them to reach steep, rocky and remote places where fires often start but where they can eliminate excessive vegetation. Precisely this dry vegetation provides the tinder that makes possible destructive wildfires that a heating atmosphere is exacerbating. Many of Australia’s human-altered ecosystems need the horses as natural gardeners to heal and become balanced and functional again. Imported deer have had a major detrimental impact on Australia’s parklands and on the country’s native species, especially the marsupials.
A log and pole fence in the Pryor Mountain Range in Montana. Craig C Downer
As concerns those parks and reserves where officials and conservationists work to preserve the original, pre-European species and their habitats, I recommend various ways of excluding the Brumbies while permitting other species to enter and exit. I have observed how effective the triangular-shaped, 6’-high, log-and-pole fences (such as are employed in the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range in Montana) keep horses out of certain areas. These could be used in certain areas of the Australian Alps and would not be hard to erect and maintain. Native Eucalyptus, or Gum, trees would seem perfect for these. Also, means of “positive enforcement” could encourage the Brumbies to stay in certain areas where they find their needs met. And ways of “adverse conditioning” that are not too harsh yet still effective could keep Brumbies away from pristine nature reserves or human habitations. Surely many Brumby supporters would happily implement these measures to preserve pre-European nature sanctuaries as well as naturally living Brumbies in adjacent areas. As a wildlife ecologist who has extensively studied wild horses and mountain tapirs, I would welcome the opportunity to help realize this life-respecting, all-stakeholders-honoring, up-to-date and non-violent plan.
Today, we must ponder the serious dangers posed by Global Climate Change. This has been caused by an accumulation of heat-trapping gases and the destruction of naturally balanced ecosystems. This matter of life or death challenges us all; we mustn’t remain petty-minded and hung-up on destructive habits and traditions. We must question how we live and its effects on the Great Rest of Life and not fail to respond to the great challenge before us. For to fail would betray the Greater Family of Life to which we belong and that which supports and sustains us.
No such betrayal could be more serious than for humans to throw the noble horse “under the bus”. These animals have done so much for us: Isn’t it high time we do something truly good for them? Like letting them truly be themselves, live freely and naturally and count on a sufficient natural home wherein to realize their special place and role. This is to be a restorer and a healer of life on Earth and relates both to life’s physical and spiritual dimensions. In bringing ourselves to honor horses’ restoring and unifying role in relation to the Great Rest of Life, we humans would overcome what most damages our own kind today: Our selfishness!
I hope you will ponder my message. It has welled up from deep within and represents both what I think and feel and lessons learned from a whole lifetime. And while it certainly involves my appreciation of those highly evolved and benign presences called horses, it relates to a caring vision for All of Life and for what remains in store for our beautifully alive planet. Call me a harbinger, for I do believe there will come a time when mutual understanding, harmony, peace, freedom and even joy will be more purely and fully realized and this Earth shall become a real Garden of Eden, a true and welcoming, even loving home wherein all beings shall be wonderfully fulfilled and in ways we have just begun to imagine.
I urge adoption of the following actions/policies in order to save the wonderful Brumbies and to save the Australia that has come to be, with all its diverse yet ever related entities. The solution lies in discovering how to harmonize Australia’s present elements, places, species, individuals and so forth. And we must recognize that each Brumby possesses a life and an individuality, just as we each do, and that, however we appear to be different, in essence, we are the same and ever related.
Immediately prohibit the shooting of Brumbies in Alpine, Bogong, Barmah and Kosciuzko National Parks.
Abandon plans to remove all Brumbies. Instead, manage for genetically viable, ecologically integrated and long-term sustainable populations that are allowed to self-stabilize their numbers through the conscientious implementation of a Reserve Design approach to their conservation and that of the ecosystem they inhabit.
Begin right away with an independent census of all Brumbies living in the above-named parks. In all of these parks except Barmah, vast habitats were recently scorched by catastrophic wildfires, now increasing due to Global Warming. Millions of plants and animals perished, many excruciatingly in the flames and including many Brumbies. Yet there has been no census of the Brumbies after these terrible fires. Most probably there has been a major decrease in the Brumby population in and around these parks. There needs to be a serious re-evaluation of this situation, including the Brumbies’ major role in fire mitigation/prevention especially by reducing fuel load and also in restoring burned areas.
Independent professional studies should differentiate impacts to the ecosystem that are caused by the various species present, including deer, pigs, rabbits, foxes, wild dogs, domestic cattle and sheep and Brumbies, among other species brought in by Europeans since 1788 and the First Fleet of colonizers. My assessment indicates that Brumbies are being unfairly targeted for blame while many of the other species are being ignored or let off lightly as to their impacts, even though these are major. Also, we should beware of lumping species together without recognizing their separate niches, roles, effects and impacts. In this connection, the positive ecological benefits of Brumbies should be honored when plainly proven. In other words, observations, factual in-field measurements, methodologies employed, photographs/videos and other means of analysis should not be interpreted in a deliberately biased manner, filtered and distorted so as to discredit the Brumbies. It is critically important that a truly objective team of qualified investigators be brought in, perhaps from outside Australia.
Strong social and cultural values associated with Brumbies as treasured presences and a living heritage should not be belittled or ignored. To ignore the integral part these horses have played in the lives of so many people, both today and for many generations past, as well as their own intrinsic worth as unique sentient beings, would be callous and insensitive. An ecologically benign, mutualistic symbiosis between and among people, Australian flora and fauna and the Brumbies can be achieved given our openness to this possibility. This mutualism is both practical and related to our experienced quality of life that involves a hard-to-pin-down and fence-in ethos that has grown from many generations of living and interacting by Australians of all kinds. This is a special culture linked to nature. Though seemingly set apart, it is related to all the rest of the world. And its very subtlety makes life worth living for those deep into it.
A broader consultation by Parks Victoria and other National Parks and Wildlife officials, conservationists, academics, elected representatives and others involved should take place with local communities and Brumby-advocating organizations and individuals concerning conservation management plans.
Deserved recognition of the current “Victoria Heritage Brumby Act” petition and the values and populations it represents should be given. Ignoring popular choice concerning the Brumbies could lead to serious rancor and social unrest as concerns this important quality-of-life and cultural identification issue.
If trapping and removal of some portion of the Brumbies is decided to be justified in certain areas, this should not occur during the breeding and foaling seasons for humane reasons.
Increased support for rehoming of Brumbies over extended periods for persons willing to rehome, as indicated on interest forms, should be the adopted policy. No inflexible quota numbers should impede this process, e.g. the minimum of five horses to be adopted in New South Wales decreases many opportunities for rehoming.
Serious consideration of constructing Log-and-Pole, triangular-shaped fences that exclude horses from certain more pristine natural habitat should be given. This works well in other areas of the world and still allows other animals to pass through.
A pioneer-descended Nevadan, as a boy Craig Downer fell in love with the natural world, oft while riding his best friend Poco. This passion led him to pursue a career in wildlife ecology and to earn an A.B. in Biology with specialization in Ecology from the University of California-Berkeley, an M.S. from the University of Nevada-Reno, and to attain Ph.D. candidature at Durham University in Britain. His studies and observations of wild horses led him to work with Wild Horse Annie in insisting that the true intent of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act be implemented throughout America. He served as a Peace Corps wildlife ecologist in Colombia and is the first biologist to have successfully captured, radio-collared and tracked the endangered Mountain, or Andean, Tapir as part of his doctorate studies, His organization, the Andean Tapir Fund, continues to successfully defend and protect this dwindling species, along with its diminishing cloud forest and paramo habitats. The Andean Tapir Fund has now adopted within its mandate “preserving and restoring all of the Perissodactyls in and together with their natural habitats including all species within the Horse, Tapir and Rhino families.” Craig is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and his organization works to save all members of the Horse, Tapir and Rhino families (Order Perissodactyla) in their natural habitats. Visit Craig’s website.
Anna has been featured in many international magazines, even some in France, but we are excited to announce her inclusion in Cheval Pratique’s November 2019 Issue.
They cover Anna’s passions, particularly her unique approach to Natural Horsemanship that includes the telepathic and energetic components, her dedication to the Mustangs and the plight of wild horses the world over, and her ability to use Animal Communication to give a voice to the voiceless.
A BIG and heartfelt THANK YOU to those who joined us on the Western Slope for the weekend of Mustang Horsemanship in cooperation with Steadfast Steeds and also to support Friends of the Mustangs. We raised $1,500 in support of the Mustangs at Steadfast Steeds. Thank you to ALL who showed up, who suited up, and especially those who adopted and want to know more. We salute you!
Sunday at Steadfast Steeds was pretty amazing. The weather was crisp, and we bundled up. The love story of Jade and Cole continued, as Anna did a demo with them together. Anna demonstrated wild horse gentling and guided participants so they could try out some of her methodologies. It’s such a cool experience to see Anna in action, we absolutely love when she comes to town and shares her gifts with others! Thank you, Anna, for being here again this year! (from our newsletter) We had twelve participants at the clinic.
~Tracy Scott
“My favorite moment from today’s Mustang Gentling Clinic with Anna Twinney!! Coal (who was adopted by Jade yesterday) and Jade are making their first connection as Anna coaches them both.”
Only TWO SPOTS LEFT for this year’s Untouched Horse Course!
Imagine being pulled out of your home, away from your family and friends, and taken to an unknown place where you are introduced to foreigners who do not speak your language. This is exactly what these symbols of freedom so often experience.
By understanding and attuning to these magnificent creatures, and seeing the world through their eyes, you will begin to master their language. You will learn how to socialize them, create trust & value in a relationship and identify their motivations & learning styles. This class is ideal for those who have recently fostered or adopted untouched horses and can be arranged in your area.
Immerse yourself in a 7-day workshop. This is a unique opportunity to observe wild horses in their natural habitat. You will begin to understand non-verbal communication with the natural world, be introduced to herd dynamics and develop a bond through building a trust-based relationship. You will not use chutes, ropes, or any other restraints to force the horse’s compliance. Instead, you will work one-on-one with the wild ones, gaining their trust, learning their language, and building a relationship and true partnership that you have always dreamed of but never knew was possible.
Each year I travel to the U.S. to continue my studies in Holistic Horsemanship with Reach Out to Horses. This month I completed the ‘Foal Gentling’ course in Sherwood, Oregon at Wild Horse Mountain Ranch. The 10 tribal foals we were partnered with had been separated from their moms and orphaned; they are only 4 months old. Luckily they were rescued by the Warm Springs Horse Network and given a second chance, PTL!
I was paired with the littlest baby of the group, a sensitive boy who showed us very quickly how big his heart is and how brave he is. By day 3, I realized that I wasn’t over there just to learn about foals and the language of the horse but to meet a soul mate and help him live the life he envisions for himself. With the guidance of my mentors and a mind-blowing offer from an awesome lady, it became possible for me to adopt the little boy I worked with, Atlantis.
The awesome lady, Melody (who took on 3 other foals as well!!!), will be taking Atlantis and his friends home to live with her. This means driving them from Oregon to the East Coast i.e. across the whole of America. This will cost at least $500 per foal, not to mention their vet bills for health certificates to cross State lines. Once Atlantis has healed and grown a bit more, he will get to decide if he wants to come live with us in England (yes, he has a choice;)).
I signed up for the ROTH Foal Gentling Course after unexpectedly losing my beloved Clydesdale, Aramis. I had hoped to honor his memory and find a little bit of peace and healing. I certainly didn’t expect to feel an immediate bond with one of the foals! That first morning when I stood at the gate, watching the foals, the little liver chestnut picked up his head and stared right at me. I felt an instant connection, the same I had felt with Aramis. Then Anna chose him as my foal, the one with whom I would work for the week. I couldn’t believe it. By the second day of working with Quincy, I knew he was meant for me. I truly believe that Aramis guided me to the training so that Quincy and I could find each other. Aramis knew Quincy needed me and I needed him. The choice to bring home the Cremello girl, Ilse, happened gradually. I was so impressed with her gentle, steady nature and her intelligence. After listening to Anna’s stories of horses that didn’t have the right companionship growing up and how it affected them, I knew Quincy needed a friend. I felt Ilse would be a wonderful choice because her steady, quiet confidence would help Quincy find his. They make a wonderful pair. Ilse doesn’t push Quincy around and already Quincy looks to her when something makes him nervous. I feel so blessed to have connected with these two gentle souls and I look forward to many years of love, partnership, and companionship with them.
Quincy was the youngest of the 10 foals that participated in the ROTH gentling class. He is a beautiful liver chestnut with a white star and two white hind feet. He is curious and alert. He likes to watch what everyone is doing around him and is very playful. He will try to play with anything new you bring into his pen. He doesn’t spook easily but does lack confidence sometimes. His “sister” is helping with that.
Ilse is a beautiful Cremello with light blue eyes. She is built like a little tank and has the most amazing mohawk. She is calm, steady, confident, and intelligent. She learns incredibly fast and seems unflappable. She is patient with Quincy and his antics. She is very mature for her age.
For all the videos of the Foals Course and more, go to our You Tube Channel and Discover why ROTH stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to gentle, compassionate, horsemanship: Go to the Reach Out to Horses You Tube Channel
DON’T GIVE UP! FREE Coaching Webinar for the Highly Sensitive Entrepreneur
We just finished up our 2017 Animal Communication Mentorship Program and many of our graduates are excited to take their new found (or newly refined) skills to the world, and help as many animals (and their people) as they can.
But when it comes to creating a business out of animal communication, healing, horses, or any service-based business really, it’s easy to look around and think, it’s all too aggravating, too hard, too scary… It’s all just too much. Before you know it, you are paralyzed, unable to move forward on the exciting dream you had.
This is why our good friend, Business Miracles Mentor, Heather Dominick, created a really unique LIVE webinar class specifically for highly sensitive people like you. She will teach you things like:
what to do when you feel overwhelmed so it doesn’t stop you in your tracks
what you need to prioritize during your business day (so it feels good, gets done and generates income)
who you need to speak to in order to attract your ideal clients (and how it doesn’t need to feel all that intimidating)
Heather says that for Highly Sensitive Entrepreneurs it can be tempting, when it all feels like too much, to shut down, contract, and try to protect yourself at all costs (or go into chaotic, panicky road runner mode). When what’s actually happening is that you are receiving a call to OPEN UP, not give up!
It’s an opportunity to consider the possibility that there might be another way.
As you know, we don’t often promote other people or other programs. We believe in earning, and keeping, your trust. We don’t want to waste your time selling everything under the sun for a few extra dollars.
We only tell you about people and programs that we consider effective and special. Heather is one of those people, and her coaching for Highly Sensitive Entrepreneurs is one of those programs.
The webinar is free and Heather, like us, won’t waste your time. She is filling that webinar with content-rich material.
You’ve got nothing to lose but the fears and habits that are holding you back!
ROTH Connects with Rescues and Non-Profit Organizations!
“Every Year ROTH brings their training methods and clinics to Zuma’s, paying a facility fee and assisting with the training of horses. These clinics and the funding they generate help to offset the cost of the healing herd here at Zuma’s, as well as assist in getting some of the herd trained.” – Zuma’s
To Jodi and the Zuma’s Staff, we return the gratitude as you always provide us a magnificent facility and wonderful horses with whom to practice and share the methods. We appreciate all you do for the horses. A very sincere and heart felt thank you right back at you guys!
Pictured are Jodi Messenich, owner and operator of Zuma’s Rescue Ranch, Elaine Nash of Fleet of Angels, who provided us with untouched mustangs for this year’s Trainer’s Course, and Anna.
Tucked into the Canelo Hills in the mountains of Southern Arizona is a place of healing for animals in need. Whisper’s Sanctuary is a 501c3 nonprofit lifetime home for animals who are unwanted, abused, or retired from public service. Begun in 2005, the Sanctuary is now home to over 50 animals, many of whom are long-time residents. The Sanctuary sponsors a children’s educational program to teach about good stewardship – that animals are part of the family and not “disposable.” The Sanctuary also offers therapeutic day programs for adults and families, with the capacity for weekend workshops with guests staying at our Bed & Breakfast. Our main fundraising venture is Sparky’s Cantina, a vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly food trailer that frequents special events and retails food and desserts through a local co-op market.
Whisper’s Sanctuary is the dream come true for the late Ross Romeo and his wife Toni Leo. Toni has carried on the dream of providing a beautiful, safe place for healing for humans and animals. Toni is the volunteer Sanctuary director and part-time animal caretaker, and also the volunteer chef for the Cantina! She operates the B & B and also has a “day job” to keep the Sanctuary afloat. Donations are greatly appreciated, with 100% of funds received going directly toward the cost of feed and healthcare for the animals.
Current residents include horses, donkeys, mules, goats, geese, chickens, dogs, and a barn cat. We would love for you to visit us and experience the magic of Whisper’s Sanctuary. We frequently need animal caretakers, too, so if you are interested in working for us please be in touch! www.rrheartranch.com
Val’s Story of Rescue at Whisper’s Sanctuary and her Connection with ROTH’s own Certified Trainer/Instructor, Elaine Ackerly:
It was one of those moments when I asked myself “oh goodness, what have you done this time?”
Whisper’s Sanctuary is a place of last resort for many animals out of options. We home the leftovers, the unwanteds. A friend was headed to South Dakota to pick up a load of mustangs from a failed sanctuary. I was intrigued. Over 800 needing homes. She inquired what I wanted. I responded, “you know me, I’ll take whomever is left.”
Valentine is a lovely, large bay mare from the White Sands, New Mexico lineage who was born at a sanctuary in South Dakota. An orphan foal, she was bottle raised. Currently estimated at age 6, she retains hind end lameness due to malnutrition. Val was bound for another rescue who was unable to take her. It was one of those moments that one wishes “no” was an option, but it just wasn’t.
I anxiously arrived home after a long day at work. It was hard to see in the dark, but there were only two horses in the corral, not three. I was informed that Val wouldn’t load, and the men who tried said she was out of control. One, a very experienced horseman, thought she might be “dangerous”. So Val stayed at his ranch, boarded, while we figured out what we were going to do with her. Euthanasia? I just knew there would be no way I could handle a wild, out of control horse thought to be possibly dangerous. What were we going to do?
A friend suggested I contact Anna Twinney. Anna’s website resonated with me. I watched a video on Facebook of the man boarding Val. Although highly skilled, he is a conventional horse trainer. He was puzzled by her behavior. He said she didn’t know how to be a horse, and he couldn’t understand why. He moved her about a round pen. My heart sunk. I learned Val’s history. I knew I needed Anna’s help.
Val needed emotional healing, not a round pen. A mare lame on both hind legs endured a 1400 mile trip from South Dakota to Southern Arizona. Maybe she wouldn’t load back on a trailer a day later because she was in pain. A scared orphan in a new place, no one to reassure her. Alone, in pain, with no one who understood.
After an email exchange, Anna Twinney called me. I was in shock. An equestrian celebrity called me. Anna offered to send us her DVD set about gentling wild horses. That was so kind. Then she offered to send an internet request to her network of students to inquire if anyone might be willing to volunteer to come to Arizona to help Val.
I communicated with Elaine Ackerly and Clea Hall. We found we had some things in common and they agreed to visit to work with Val. I am still in awe at how these two very accomplished and busy women put their lives (and incomes) on hold to help our mustangs. Elaine visited for eight days, Clea visited for five days. During that time Elaine worked with Val while Clea worked with Chante and Canela (our other two SD mustangs). Clea used energy work/healing with all three mustangs in addition to Anna’s ROTH techniques. They taught me techniques that were very helpful and easy to understand from the perspective of someone with no horse training experience.
Within a few days of their arrival, with hours of Elaine and Clea simply being present with the mustangs, transformations started to occur. Although I had been in Val’s corral frequently to muck and feed, this time she quietly stood with me by her side. It was one of those moments when I believed for the first time that there was hope for Val. You have come all this way, Val, and you are finally home.
Elaine and Clea are inspiring. Their knowledge, kindness, and willingness to help us has been amazing. I cannot thank them enough for all they have done for the mustangs, and myself as their caretaker. Elaine and Clea are both truly a blessing. Our paths have crossed for many reasons, for which I am grateful. Thank you so much for giving us hope.
All said and done, with rave reviews from Whisper’s Sanctuary…
Hi Anna,
thank you for emailing and for your interest in the Sanctuary. Elaine and Clea were such great horsewomen and made progress with the mustangs. I was appreciative for them teaching me some of the basics, and I will continue to use the videos that you sent as a guide. I have also told several others in similar situations with unhandled horses about your work to spread the word about what you do.
Thank you so much for your kindness in so many ways. Your work is already benefitting the horses here and I can only see that growing exponentially in the future with our therapy programs too.
Toni
Below watch Elaine and Clea as they Reach Out for first touches and more with the mustangs at Whisper’s Sanctuary.
For more info on how you can learn to Reach Out to the Untouched Horse, visit us at:
In the fall of 2015, I was connected with a small but mighty rescue group called the Warm Springs Horse Rescue Network, who at the time had helped place over 500 foals in homes. This August, I was fortunate enough to coordinate and host the ROTH Foals Clinic in Sisters, Oregon. I was thrilled to bring the ROTH team of students and people who were interested together in central Oregon, as finding holistic and like-minded horsemanship had been a challenge.
The auditors, students, healers, rescue network, foals, and Anna (of course), contributed to a wonderful week of strong team building and brought awareness to holistic horsemanship in central Oregon, as well as connecting like-minded professionals living in the area .
Although we may be able to create positive change for our horses and clients on our own, it truly takes a whole-horse approach to be successful in rehabilitation of horses, or even if its not a rehabilitation case, to take them to the next level of physical health and performance.
It has taken a little over a year of stepping out of my introvert comfort zone and pushing myself to network with equine professionals to find and build my “dream team” here in Oregon.
The results of this year of work building connections and then hosting the clinic are multidimensional. This is the amazing holistic-minded equine team we have here in Oregon :
A barefoot trimmer who sees the whole horse and how to help them move better
Several body workers who can help the horse’s body release restrictions and move more fluidly, and also provide feedback as to how our physical conditioning plan is working from the body’s perspective
A few different veterinarians who are open to a holistic perspective or are practicing holistic medicine
Several saddle fitters who work to keep the horse and human comfortable to achieve their goals
A Nutrition expert to guide us through basic supplementation and feeding practices specific to our area
Quality hay providers
Local feed companies
A team of holistic trainers working together to better horse’s lives around us
Without permission from the horse and their human, the team isn’t able to get much done. It its inspiring to me, each day, when we give the horses we work with the ability to communicate and have an opinion about each aspect of their life how much information we are able to obtain.
You see, in order for harmony in your horse, you have to create harmony in your team. Some team members may have expertise in multiple areas, and each member of your team needs to be able to respectfully communicate and work together to help you accomplish your goals with your horse.
What I appreciate most about building a great team is having a community to discuss new cases with, and also having a group of people I can refer to that can be trusted and will be working for the good of the horse in their area of expertise.
It is our due diligence as equine professionals, to look at the information from our trusted team with open eyes and ears. We need to be willing to shift how we are approaching different aspects of our horse’s unique experience in the world. The balance of a horses psychological and physiological help depend on us being open to look at all areas of our horses lives: what we feed our horses, their living environment, what we ask them to do physically (and emotionally), how we balance their bodies, how we engage their minds, and how we support their growth.
When we utilize a multi-faceted approach, examined with a lens of honesty and integrity it is amazing how much we are able to help horses find balance and happiness in their lives. When we are willing to communicate for the good of the horse with other professionals instead of pointing the finger of blame, we are able to solve the puzzle with that horse and help them to live a comfortable and happy life.
Although it takes some effort in networking, a little shedding of ego, a bit of rallying the troops so to speak to get “your team” built, I would encourage you to do so! ROTH as an approach to horsemanship encourages us to look at the whole horse when we are training, and there are some really great equine professionals out there who can help boost your team and ultimately help magnify the great work you are all already doing. We can only benefit from like-minded collaboration, and grow into more skilled and knowledgeable equine guardians.
ROTH ~ Blog 