I have always loved horses, but admired them from afar. I was mostly intimidated by their generous size. I read an article about Desert Springs Equine Sanctuary Center (DSESC) and all the wonderful things they were doing for rescues and I very much wanted to be a part of the program. I didn’t care if all I could do was change their water – as long as I could be around them and help them to be a little happier. I attended an orientation at Equine Voices (EV) in Green Valley and was deeply touched by the compassion the people at EV had for the horses. Since Green Valley is too far for me to travel on a regular basis, I began to volunteer at DSESC.

Initially, I just observed volunteers as they groomed horses and I changed waters for the rescues. At an event at the ranch, I was introduced to Judy Parker, who is a volunteer trainer at DSESC – and, to me, is another horse whisperer. Judy took me under her wing and began teaching me about horse personalities (horseonalities), how to relax with the horses – ultimately getting them to relax – and being safe around and with the horses. Judy mostly practices the Parelli style of horsemanship and has been teaching me the various steps of this program.

My attitude when I first began volunteering at the ranch was, “Do I really have to touch them?” The first horse Judy had me working with was Sunstar. It had rained at the ranch the previous few days and there were a lot of deep puddles around. Judy asked me to walk Sunstar through a few pretty big puddles - I thought she was out of her mind - everyone knows horses are afraid of water, and, I was told that this particular horse definitely was. I tried to remain as relaxed as possible and told Sunstar we could do this and I wouldn’t let anything happen to her. She must have believed me because she strode right through all the puddles without so much as a flinch. I was hooked – me and Sunstar were going to be buddies! I’ve started working with her in the round pen both on and off a lead. She is so smart and I feel that she really wants to please me. I am very comfortable working with Sunstar and I think she feels the same way about me. She had become so important to me that I found myself worrying about her when it got dark out or rained. I decided to sponsor Sunstar so that I could support her care at DSESC and now going out to the ranch to be with her has become the favorite part of my week. I just love it and I just love her!

Christine

Shelly, Jim, Casper and Wendy

When I reflect back, the very best memories from my childhood involved horses. I dreamed of horses. When I wasn't riding, showing, grooming or spending time with a horse, I was thinking about them! As an adult, my focus shifted to raising children, helping with homework, cooking dinner and paying the bills. Before I knew it the years rolled by and all of the kids grew-up. All of the sudden my life seemed to have an "empty spot". My wonderful husband encouraged me to fill that "empty spot" with whatever would make me happy - we both knew what that was - HORSES!

I found Desert Springs on the internet and was intrigued by the idea of leasing a horse. On a beautiful Saturday morning, my husband and I went for a tour of DSESC. As we walked from horse to horse and learned about the horrors that many had suffered, I was heartbroken. About halfway through the tour, I realized that my thinking had shifted from leasing to volunteering and rehabilitation. At the very last corral on the tour, I found a blue eyed, cremello colt that won my heart instantly. I learned about how this little colt had been born at DSESC and the story of "Hope" the foals mother. I was told that "Hope" came to DSESC in March 2009 after being found packed with drugs and covered in pack sores. When she came in, she was so emaciated that they had no idea that she was well into her eighth month of pregnancy. As we drove away from DSESC, both my husband and I knew that we had found a new addition to our family.

On March 18, 2010, Equine Voices and DSESC approved our adoption. We named the colt "Casper" and we joke that his "fancy name" is Desert Springs Spooktacular. Each day is more fun than the day before. Watching this little guy grow-up and having the opportunity to be his partner for this wonderful journey is a dream come true. Whatever the future holds, this horse has found his forever home and filled the "empty spot" in my life.

Shelly

Follow-up: It turns out, that my husband Jim developed a soft spot for the little filly that was born a couple of months before Casper. Casper and the filly are best friends and have been since birth. We decided to name the filly Wendy (Casper's girlfriend in the comics) and add her to our family. Now Casper and Wendy can live happily ever after in the same forever home! Every horse deserves a happy ending...

Karen and Wisdom

It has been two months since I first met Wisdom, a horse saved by Equine Voices. This tall, kind-eyed gelding won my heart instantly, but I could hardly hope he would ever become part of my life. Through happy coincidence, kind people, and incredible trainers, it has actually happened that I once again have a horse to call my own. Wisdom was used by drug smugglers to pack drugs across the border. When he was rescued by Equine Voices, he was thin, had sores, and was in sad shape. He had the will to live, however, and flourished under the expert and loving care of the people at Desert Springs Equine Sanctuary Center (DSESC), who have offered their help and facilities to Equine Voices horses.

Wisdom is well-named. Despite his earlier abuse, he seems to judge people by their treatment of him, instead of fearing all of us. He is an optimist, expecting kindness and rewarding us by showing abundant affection and trust. He has been with me since September, and during that short time has shown himself to be so good-natured and mannerly that everyone who meets him finds it hard to believe he had been so abused. He is doing well under saddle and is eager to please. We go for trail rides almost daily and are both getting back in shape! I have explained to him that he and I are in early retirement, and that we want to take it easy, trail ride a bit, and just enjoy each other's company. I believe we will have many happy years together, but right now enjoy each day as it comes. Thank you to everyone at Equine Voices and DSESC who have helped Wisdom and me become partners in this wonderful journey, and who have continued to provide support and advice along the way.

Karen

Rebecca and Cash

When I got Cash, it was a dream come true. Before Cash came, our other horse, Wyatt, would whinny every night because he was lonely. I had an empty place in my heart. But when my mom told my brother and I that we were going to foster a horse, I knew that I would like him! Mom said Cash was a 14 year old quarter horse gelding who had been used as a "drug horse". Cash had been saved by the Border Patrol and when they found him he was emaciated and would not let anyone touch him. He was very very scared.

When I came home from school on the day that my mom brought him home, I saw him. He was a sad looking palomino horse with a big wound on his back and other odd scars on his hips and around the girth area. He also had a scar running from his ear to his jaw. It almost made me cry when I saw him. But when I walked up to him he sniffed my hand, and at that very moment we became friends. In one short month, my mom saw that we needed Cash. So we adopted him. Wyatt could never live without his new buddy and I could not live without a horse like him.

When I first rode him, it was like being a rider again. Years before Cash came, I was really into riding but when I almost fell off Jazy (a horse that I liked to ride) I stopped riding. It stopped my love of horses....but when I got on Cash, I felt like I had never stopped. And in two months, I can saddle him, put on his bridle, and I can almost pull a gallop! I really love Cash a lot and I want to thank Equine Voices and Desert Springs for adopting him to my family. Thank you so much!

Rebecca

Braveheart

Braveheart is our first adopted horse. He fits right in with his new family and being loved and spoiled by the Leforge's of Tucson, Arizona.