ACTHA Monthly |August 2015 | 33
hierarchy. Peace is restored; there are no grudges and no hard feelings. One horse in particular who came to Proud Spirit stands out among all the others. He was a tall and regal, splashy Paint. We named him Ranger . . . he has sadly since passed on. But for the years he was with us Ranger was our peacekeeper. He took orphaned foals under his wing while they adjusted to their new life at the sanctuary and he soothed nervous new-comers and helped them to relax. In his infinite horsey wisdom, he somehow demanded that the entire herd accept outsiders and allow them into the fold. He was a genuine blessing and we will never forget him.
The Horses of Proud Spirit
Today, Proud Spirit stands as one of the most successful, longest existing facilities for horses in the United States. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Although we are very conscientious about never taking on more than we can handle—that includes the room we have, what the land can handle and the work we’re able to do, it also means the funding—the need for funds is never ending. Some comes from private donations and individual supporters, and like most people devoted to rescue, some comes out of our own pocket. Also, proceeds from the sale of my books help us continue our work
cliché, the truth is that we get more from them than they get from us. It is also our belief that horses, all animals really, have an intrinsic value beyond serving mankind. They have a right to be here and they have a right to simply be who and what they are.
We are tied to this herd by the commitment we have made. The responsibility of assuring their well-being is unwavering and ever present. In return we get to experience their exceptional grace and reap the joy of giving without expecting anything in return. We are uplifted when we look into their eyes. They spark our imagination and awaken the very best of who we are; what an awesome gift they have given us.
here: The Horses of Proud Spirit, Hoof Prints: Stories from Proud Spirit and The Dogs of Proud Spirit. In 2004, PBS filmed a documentary about the sanctuary. Entitled “The Horses of Proud Spirit” they cited our program, allowing horses to heal as “exemplary and deeply emotional” and stated that the sanctuary itself is “a model for other organizations.” The documentary won an Emmy and aired nationwide for several years.