Common Bond

There have been untold numbers of horses impacting my life through the decades. Horses have been the common bond in bringing so many wonderful people into my life; people I wouldn't otherwise have met.

It must have been 10-12 years ago that I found a horse rescue site called TIER (True Innocent Equine Rescue). This rescue was, & still is, located in S CA. Although I was living in N CA by then, I hadn't left my S CA roots completely behind. At the time, TIER was pulling horses out of a horsetrader's "feedlot". The "feedlot" comprised of all manner of horses who were headed to slaughter. As I read through the website & message board, I realized the horsetrader in question was the same person from whom I, & many other young girls at my childhood stable, had gotten so many horses. I became a follower & supporter of TIER. There were many wonderful people on the message board, most with the same goals of saving horses from uncertain & cruel fates. Even after TIER's efforts to pull horses from the "feedlot" were ended, I continued to not only follow TIER, but to occasionally correspond with some of the people I had met.

In August 2009, I had an email from Heidi in MN asking all her email friends to vote for her dog in a cutest dog contest. I hadn't heard from her in a very long time so I emailed to ask how she was doing & to catch up on what was going on in her life. Life isn't always easy & Heidi had been going through some really tough life changes. She told me that she only had two horses left that she wanted to place in loving homes. The only problem was that no loving homes could be found. The current economy had all the rescues full with waiting lists to take in horses. I told Heidi that I wished we lived closer because I'd give her horses a home. A flurry of emails followed.

Soon a shipper had been found & arrangements were made to transport Heidi's two horses, Lady & Roo, to me. While there was excitement on my end, my heart was also saddened. A very special lady was sending her two beloved horses into my care, & I could only imagine the heartache she was suffering on her end. It was going to be a long, cross country trek for Lady & Roo with people on both ends thinking of them day & night. Their trip went well & they arrived at my drive 48 hours after their trip began. They had traveled well & settled right in. Both have fabulous manners & super dispositions, a testimony to Heidi's love & care. Lady is such a love, laying her head on my shoulder as if she's always known me. Roo is such a character who stays close to Lady as if he's protecting her. Both are wonderful horses who deserve this chance at life in sunny CA.

A few days before the shipper was due for pick up, I received their paperwork by FedEx. There was a wonderful note from Heidi & I found it hard to stay dry eyed. The following is a small excerpt:

"It's so strange how, so many years ago we met through TIER's forum and shared many email and discussion board conversations as I embarked on private rescue. You've heard the tales of my horses and watched as the numbers grew and dwindled. Now, 10+ years later, two pieces of my life will become a part of yours by God's grace. I feel comfortable turning the lead ropes over to you."

It is strange that this is how our lives have come together. Who would have thought that Lady & Roo would one day shorten the gap between MN & CA? Who would have thought that people on opposite sides of the country would be brought together by these two beautiful horses? Life with horses works in such mysterious & amazing ways. They've brought people into my life that I otherwise wouldn't have met. They've brought Heidi & I together in a friendship that will last a lifetime.