Although there are many lovely things in the world, nothing compares to seeing a wild horse roaming free. It’s something that far too few people ever get to actually experience.
It is not just a typical sight for people who operate a horse sanctuary that specializes in saving those mustangs; it is also a scenario where extraordinary things may occur.
It’s an extraordinary experience.
The founder and president of Skydog Sanctuary, Clare Staples, noticed a photo that had been posted on American Wildhorse Campaign. The images showed a wild mustang named Phoenix attempting to leap out of a catch pen as his girlfriend Ghost looked on.
Phoenix managed to escape the pen that day, but he wasn’t eager to venture too far. He returned to watch over his family. According to Staples, for wild mustangs to develop such a close attachment with their families, it is not unusual.
The mustangs are family-oriented.
After a few days, Staples had tracked down Phoenix and was preparing to save him. He was to be given freedom rather than being placed in a pen.
More than just a facility for the rescue and rehabilitation of wild horses, Skydog Sanctuary also facilitates their release back into the wild.
They bring horses where they belong.
According to the Skydog Sanctuary website, Staples visited the place where Ghost and Phoenix were being detained. When they ran into difficulties seeking to adopt the family, they learned that Phoenix and a male companion were being released into the wild.
Phoenix was present when Staples frequently visited, but Ghost was missing. A year later, she discovered that plans had changed and the stallions were not going to be released. At the time, she assumed that the horse had likely been adopted.
Phoenix and Ghost were separated.
In order to provide him the freedom he very much deserves, she then submitted an adoption application for Phoenix. Phoenix traveled to Oregon to the Skydog Ranch once the adoption was finalized.
Phoenix appeared at ease in his new surroundings, but it was obvious that he missed Ghost. Staples continued to look, but nothing turned up for almost two years before something changed.
Staples found hope.
“To my amazement, almost two years after the roundup, I spotted Ghost on the Internet Adoption and immediately bid on her to reunite her with Phoenix,” she recalled.
Ultimately, she won the bid and got to reunite the two horses together. It was a huge success after all.
They also rejoice at the reunion of Ghost and Phoenix. They appear to have become inseparable and are now spending their days together, suggesting that it has also significantly improved Phoenix’s mood.
“All the wild horses and burros here are treated with the utmost kindness and respect and we leave in peace the ones who want to be left alone and give others the love and compassion that they have not experienced from people before,” she remarked.
Thank you for all that you do, Staples!
Check out the video below to witness the reunion.
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