I first saw Passion listed on a "rescue" site sitting in a feedlot. A feedlot is a place horses
go to await transport to slaughter. The rescue raised the money to buy her and I was going to give her a home... but something
went wrong. The woman from the rescue called me and said that Passion "went down" at the lot and they shipped
her. She said "We got you a better horse..."
At first my brain couldn't even comprehend what
she said. A horse "went down" so you let her ship and purchased "better" horses... I was told there was
nothing I could do... let her go. I couldn't. Horses that ship to slaughter ride for days crammed into trucks designed to
haul cattle. Often these trucks are "double decker" and horses can't even hold their heads up. The idea that this
massive horse, in extreme pain, was crammed in there... broke my heart.
So I tracked her down. She
was at the packing plant. Even though they have never let a horse go... they agreed to let me come and get her.
I wont go into all the details of the experience. But the rails are painted red... the horses were scared... and I will
never forget the eyes of those that would die.
This picture was taken no more than ten minutes after we left
the packing plant.
I couldn't believe we were able to get her out.
Left behind were other horses... that
had home offers... but they would not sell them to me. Among them was a horse named "Kiva." He was a freeze
branded mustang in his twenties. He had been used as a camp horse... and dumped for the ride to hell. I will never forget
you, Kiva.
Next came the long road to find out about Passion.
Her X-rays
revealed some pretty rough experiences. Her hoof wall had separated from years of overgrowth. Her bones revealed years of
trauma. Her spirit held pain...
Passion
also had some serious issues with trust. But with time and kindness, we worked it out.
Passion has good days and bad. But so has anyone that has worked
hard and given so much. An angel had special boots sent for Passion. She gets a warm blanket in the winter and plenty of good
food and vitamins. It's not perfect... but she knows she is loved.
And when her time comes she will cross that
bridge with loving hands around her that respect the life she has lived.
