Horses can experience abuse and neglect just like cats and dogs can, so horse rescue centers are just as important as the others!
A selfless woman called Clare recognized the need for these shelters and founded the Skydog Sanctuary, which is based in California and Colorado and provides a lifelong home for wild mustangs and burros who have been rescued from mistreatment.
When she received a call one day about a horse who had been badly neglected and needed rescuing, Clare drove straight over to provide assistance.
The horse, who Clare named Dream, was so weak that she could barely stand, but Clare had hope that she would improve with some love and care. She shared her story with The Dodo, and the post instantly racked up over 440k reacts and 67k shares as people couldn’t get over her transformation.
“The day we rescued Dream I remember I cried and I kept saying ‘I’m so sorry’, because the things we see people do to horses…” Clare told The Dodo. “But she was so trusting, and and she came with me. You could see how weak she was but you could see a tiny spark of light in her eyes. I felt like, she wants to fight. And that little light just grew and grew and grew every day.”
Clare spoke of Dream’s slow recovery, saying:
“She was a branded mustang, and was probably the most emaciated, skinnier horse that we had ever taken in. But we just jumped in with both feet and we took all of the precautions that we could.”
The rescue center created a board with all of Dream’s feeding times and monitored her progress. As Dream learned how to eat more, roll over and run, Clare said that “Every day was a reward.”
Dream was growing stronger and stronger every day, and it was all thanks to Clare and her team.
“By six months she was looking almost back to normal.” Clare said. “She’s just really come back to life in such an extraordinary way. All the little firsts were so meaningful, they were steps in her recovery.”
Clare also spoke of the special bond that she and Dream shared, saying:
“It was probably the biggest connection I’ve ever had with a horse. It almost felt like we were going through this together.”
When Dream got her energy back, at first it was “almost like she didn’t know what to do with it.”
Clare and the rescue team decided to “let her get it all out,” and Dream ran blissfully around the open fields and had all the fun in the world. It was then that a new friend arrived on the scene.
Joe Pesci was a younger donkey that was rescued from Texas.
According to Clare, “From the first time that Dream met him, she was madly in love.”
Suddenly, the horse’s entire life revolved around Joe, and she would follow him protectively like a mom. The two friends played together, ate together, and cuddles up together. They were truly inseparable. It’s simply adorable to watch the special bond between the two.
For Clare, rescuing Dream really made a positive change to her life.
“She’s a miracle, she has such a special place in my heart. Dream did so much to change me inside. To almost open my heart even wider, and fill me with more compassion and love.”
What a beautiful story. We’re so thankful to Clare and all the amazing work that she does! Watch the adorable video below.
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