Positives and Negatives

Before I begin this post, I want to let everyone know that Faith's tests have not yet come back. We should have the results within another day or two. However, Faith has been doing pretty well. Her spirits are much better than even just a week ago, which is great to see. She has more fire in her eyes now than throughout her entire time here. Her hind end is still fairly unbalanced when she moves, but she has remained upright for the past five days and counting, with the exception of taking a nap in the arena yesterday for about an hour!

I'll keep everyone posted on the test results. Keep your fingers crossed that they come back OK!

Now onto today's topic...

With all of the disheartening stories on the news each day, it certainly draws us towards and makes us focus on what’s wrong with our world. From the current economy to car accidents, house fires to murders, it’s usually the bad news that makes the headlines. It’s difficult to push past the negativity and see the good.

Then I met Faith…

By rescuing this one horse, I learned just how many good people are still out there. I have had the chance to meet some amazing individuals that I probably wouldn’t have met if not for Faith. Some in person, quite a few over the phone, and countless more through email. Each person’s involvement on Faith’s behalf, whether it’s through a comment posted on this blog or a phone conversation, has helped keep me strong throughout her recovery.

After I first brought her home, many contacted me asking about her progress and concerned about her well being. Others who have gone through similar rescue situations have graciously given me informative suggestions and ideas. Countless more have offered kind words of encouragement. It was just as surprising as it was relieving to see that so many people were concerned and offered to help. I was, and still am with each passing day, humbled by the outpouring of support and generosity for Faith. Thank you to all of you who have helped us through the rough times!

Then there are the ill intentioned few…

Sure, the “horse world” is small and can be political. There are trainers that will do anything to win, dealers that will do anything for a buck, instructors that gossip so much they burn every bridge down around them, and other “professionals” who like to start trouble just for fun. Unfortunately one of those people has made a few sad attempts to discredit my name and intentions with Faith.

They have posted ignorant comments and rude remarks for the sole purpose of trying to discourage me. They never post their true identity, choosing to hide behind an anonymous facade, knowing that their comments are false. If they truly had a valid point, they would have absolutely no problem posting their identity next to their “real” feelings. Their plan to discourage me has done quite the opposite: the more ignorant comments I read, the more it drives me to fight harder for this mare.

One of my first riding instructors was actually the main reason that I have rescued Faith and the others before her. This woman had severe issues with her students rising above her level and obtaining goals that she herself could not. Unfortunately, she would take her frustrations out on the animals that were entrusted in her care. Long story short, by the time I could pull my horse out of her facility, he was 150 pounds underweight. And he was a two-year-old. From that moment on, I vowed that I would rise above and always offer to help any animal not being treated fairly.

My intentions when I first saw Faith were clear cut: I needed to get her out of her current situation and either rehab her or let her go comfortably and peacefully. The purpose of this web page was to educate the public on the frequency of animal abuse and neglect, as well as a forum for everyone who wanted to check in on Faith’s daily progress. It has successfully proven to do both.

For those of you that want to start trouble about Faith, please tell us why you feel the need to discredit Faith’s story, and own up to your comments by putting your name next to them. Don’t hide behind the juvenile anonymity any longer. Are you going to come out of hiding and prove your points, or just disappear since you know that you are wrong. We all want to hear your “story”; our ears are open and waiting...


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