Clare heads back to the barn and opens the gate for Sarge, a 25-year-old mustang. He runs without a halter to the stall he knows is his and tucks his head into his bowl of goodies. Clare says, she is still fattening Sarge up. We used to put a halter on him and lead him in everyday, but he was so grumpy about it, the same as when we tried to put a blanket on him in the cold. He looked at us as if we were insane. He’s a mustang, tough and knows perfectly well the routine here, smart as any horse I ever met. He takes himself to bed every night, sometimes running a couple of laps around the barn first saying goodnight to all his friends and showing off to the young mares. He is such a character and looks like a different horse than the one we rescued.
Skydog Sanctuary is a 501c3 and although they are a young rescue they have a great team of caring people working for them, most of whom have also left their lives in California to come on this adventure for the horses. Skydog was the name given to mustangs by Native Americans when they first encountered them. Recently, they have found some artifacts at the sanctuary so Clare feels as though their horse’s ancestors are watching over them and taking care of them just as much as they are.
While there is no end to the wonderful work and projects Skydog can do at their sanctuaries, it has been a hard winter and like most nonprofits, would benefit from additional donations. Skydog has some great merchandise on their website with proceeds going towards their hay fund.
For more information
on Skydog Ranch visit www.skydogranch.org
One of the first horses Skydog saved was Read, from a kill pen in Oklahoma. Clare recounts “Reed had one of the worst embedded halter injuries she had ever seen. His halter had grown so deeply into his face that his nasal cavities were open to the air. Now 22, he is doing well and the other horses don't see his face as damaged nor treat him differently. A lesson for us all.
Read, mustang gelding
L-R, Sooty, Winter, Blizzard and Sheldon