Broken Horses Healing Broken Kids in Colorado

Charis Youth Ranch often rescues horses from dire situations. Scenarios such as bidding against a kill buyer at an auction or taking in a horse seized by the county for neglect are not uncommon. However, just as often, there are caring horse owners who are looking for a safe landing for their beloved equines. 

One such case is Sake and Mouse, a mother and son duo whose owner needed a safe haven for her horses to live out their days as she was moving away and could no longer ride. As is often the case, she found us by word of mouth, and reached out to Tracy. Originally, she only asked for Sake to be taken in as she was concerned he would be found at risk of going to slaughter if she were to sell him. Despite Sake being a nice, young gelding, her only concern was for his safety and not financial gain. Her plan was to keep 27 year old Mouse. 

After meeting Sake and Mouse's owner, and discussing the possibility of Charis taking Sake, their owner asked Tracy if Charis would also take Mouse. Finances have not been optimal since the shutdown of 2020, so this was a serious consideration, as adding two horses to the nonprofit's feed bill was not planned. Tracy asked the owner for some time to arrange it and see if Mouse's costs could be covered. If so, Charis would be able to take Mouse too and keep this bonded pair together. 

One of the things Charis Youth Ranch loves to do is pair young horse enthusiasts with a safe mount so that he or she can begin the life long journey of learning to become a horseman.  Because Mouse had been a successful cutting horse and had clocked many miles of experience, and was in excellent health, Tracy thought perhaps she could be such a mount for a young rider. Tracy reached out to one of her Junior Volunteers whom she knew had been searching for her first horse to see if Mouse might be a fit. Introductions were made and the pair hit it off! Arrangements were made for both Sake and Mouse to come to Charis Youth Ranch. Mouse's new rider would lease her for a year under the watchful eye of experienced Charis volunteers, to learn how to care for her and increase her riding skills. Her costs will be coverd and if all goes well, at the end of one year, this young rider will be eligible to give Mouse a forever home and they will spend Mouse's remaining years together. 

Happy endings like this are what we all hope and pray for. We are thankful that we could be available to provide a sanctuary for Mouse and Sake! 

Links:

• Charis Youth Ranch Website