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Fostering

Even though I have had horses for many years, I was not prepared for our first two Foster Horses. These two 20+ year old mares looked to be walking skeletons. It absolutely took my breath away when I saw them, then the tears rolled down my cheeks. How could anyone let a horse get in this kind of shape? I could not imagine how they had enough strength to even walk and was worried that they would never make the long trip from Navasota to Stephenville. They had been at another foster home for almost a month already and their foster home cheerfully kept telling me how good they were doing and how much they had already gained. That just went in one ear and out the other since I could not see how they could have been any worse off. Then she showed me the pictures - I gasped! What a will to live the two horses must have! Their foster home assured me they could make the trip and gave me all the feeding instructions. It was a good thing she really stressed that we had to go very slow before feeding them much food or I would probably gave them buckets full of grain and whole bales of alfalfa at a time.

We made it home just fine. We carefully measured all the ingredients from the beet pulp which had to soak first to the tiny bit of Senior Feed they got at each meal. I could hear their old stomach's growling before I ever got in their pen with the food.

My husband and I discussed the fact that we did not see how we could fatten them up on such a small amount and with winter coming on strong. But we were faithful in keeping the feeding regime just right adding only a few more grains of Senior feed every few days. We began spending time with them just brushing and loving on them as they ate. Their old eyes looked so dead and they never made a sound, walking so slow back and forth between the water and the feed buckets. Then one morning as I was heading to the barn to feed, I heard a little nicker, then another. Both horses were saying good morning to me!!! And they probably were telling me to hurry up with our feed! I was elated. Shortly after that we began to see a little belly starting.....it was no longer sunk in, but stuck out! Next the life returned to those old eyes, that was probably the very best part as I had worried that maybe they had just been too far gone.

Soon their eyes were sparkling with curiosity and love. They were so gentle and sweet, just such loving horses. They were soon trotting all around their pen and Winkie even gave a few bucks and learned to lope again. They had both been barrel horses and you could see how at one time they were both awesome Quarter horses.

The girls remained inseparable as they had spent most of their lives together. Besides, Winkie was blind in one eye and Speedy was so crippled she barely got around. It took both of them to make it, they took care of each other. It was so touching to see them care for each other. We only had a few months with Speedy as when she gained weight, her bad leg finally just gave out on her. Our vet had seen her when we first got her and then when he put her down. He could not believe it was the same horse and commented that we made her last few months on earth happy and she had a full belly every night to sleep on. He also said those are some of the biggest, prettiest, Quarter Horse hips I have ever seen. Certainly quite different from the beginning of this story. Winkie missed Speedy so badly that we moved her away from that pen and in with another older mare we had near the house. They soon became good friends, but ever once in a while I see Winkie looking down toward her old pen and I bet she is remembering her old friend, Speedy.

I can not tell you what joy and satisfaction these two old horses have given us. We have completely changed the direction of our future because of them. We have found that this is what God wants us to do.

We have always had such a love for horses, what better way of showing it than helping abused and neglected horses. We are glad we found Bluebonnet when we did. They needed us and we apparently need them. We now have a mare and her foal that we are fostering and a yearling filly that we have already adopted as well as Winkie. As soon as good adoptive home can be found, these mares will move on and we will take on a new batch.

-- Floe Copeland, Stephensville, Texas

General

Dear Bluebonnet Members

I wanted to take a moment thank you all so very much for choosing me as a recipient of the Hero Award. Although I am incredibly honored and touched to receive this award, I can't help but feel that it is a title that I am unworthy of having because a hero is someone that I see in all of you. Each of you selflessly gives of your hearts and time to care for these spectacular creatures and I admire each of you more than you possibly know.

My world has been enormously enriched because of the precious time that I was able to spend with a member of your board, Cat Ballew. In Cat, I was able to see firsthand what a gentle touch and kind heart could do in the life of a horse. Cat often says that her life's work in caring for horses is "something she has to do" and I can see that resonates with your entire organization. In the time I was able to spend with Cat, I was not only was able to see the exhilaration of getting to Chance in time to save his precious life, but I also wept tears alongside Cat as she held Peggy's tired head in her lap as she took her last breath. I will never forget that day for as long as I live, nor will I ever understand how to make sense of the horrors many of these animals face at the hands of humans. The only way I can manage that anger is knowing that God has placed kind people like each of you on earth.

Thank you all for being such a pillar of strength in this fight. And thank you again from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful honor. I will treasure it my entire life and will continue be an advocate for all animals as well as the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society.

Lacy Fenn - 2007 Bluebonnet Heroes Award Recipient

I can't imagine my life without the rescue. I have met some of the best people - some who have gone on to become some of my closest friends because of the rescue. I have met the most fantastic horses who have made me a much better horsewoman. I've had the fortune to work with animal control officers, police officers and sheriff's deputies who really care about the horses and other animals who are their responsibility. I hate that neglect and abuse happens - but since it does, I'm glad I can be on the front line, helping fight for those without a voice.

-- Jennifer Williams, Ph.D., Alvin, Texas

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