I spent the most amazing four days last week when I visited Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. It is a nine acre ranch near Bend, Oregon. This is a place where they: "Rescue the Equine, Mentor the Child, (give) Hope for the Family, Empower the Ministry". Let me just tell you one story about the horse in this picture:
If you look closely, you can see that this horse's left eye is missing. It was not an accident that caused this. Someone took him out to the woods and shot him, in the head, at close range. The first shot didn't kill him, so the person reloaded with a hollow point bullet meant to kill him immediately. He was shot at close range in the area of the eye socket. Hero was left for dead, but he survived.
Time passed, and he was able to get to his feet and search for food. Badly wounded, he was not able to scrounge enough to keep him alive. Finally, he approached a campsite of 2 men who had no idea what to do with a starving, wounded horse. They got in touch with the kind people at Crystal Peaks who did make it to the site and got Hero into a trailer. He survived 2 gunshots at close range to the head, as well as starvation and refused to give up.
The story made national news and many people from all around the country sent flowers, donations and well-wishes. He was something of a celebrity, truly a Hero. After recuperating, he fit into the program working with children and youth, lending his strength and determination to them.
One day, a car from across the country from Bend, came up the driveway. There was a middle-aged woman in it. "Is this the ranch where Hero lives?"
"Why, yes, it is," replied Troy. He is the co founder of the ranch.
"Can I see him?" asked the woman.
"Sure, he's back here."
When she saw him, she petted his velvety muzzle. He breathed deeply into her face. "I heard about Hero," she reported "on the day I was going to commit suicide. I decided if a horse could fight so hard and bravely, I could, too."
She stayed only a short while and then got back into her car to drive back across the country. Hero had never met her before that day, and never met her again. But one woman's life was saved by his struggle.
Kim, the other co founder, calls horses "angels with horsehair". I have to agree.
Check out their story at:
http://www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org/
Monday, May 24, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
