A Need

I can’t get her out of my mind. I saw an ad for a free older horse on our local classifieds. She fits all our criteria. Of course it would be an owner surrender instead of a rescue from an auction but I’d prefer to get them BEFORE they go to auction rather than at auction.  But I can’t offer her a retirement home because we are full. That thought alone breaks my heart.   I’ve now had to decline a few horses that fit our criteria (or simply not respond to the ad) and that thought really bothers me.

It feels like I’m not doing anything these days. I know that’s not true and with Sanctuary work, there is only so many spots before you are full and can’t take any more. But it still feels like I’m not doing enough. Here this broodmare sits, having made babies all her life and now she needs a safe retirement home and we can’t offer it. The owners are trying to do right by finding her a new home before the only alternative (for them) is an auction. I’m torn by wanting to take horses in, in this type of situation but I have my reasons for wanting to step up.

If we could find her a lifetime sponsor, I would go and get her in a heartbeat. She’s not too terribly far away either.  Although, all the horses that we have taken in, have been fairly close.

I know we won’t end up bringing her in to the Sanctuary. So I am also debating on going to either the Sioux Falls Regional Horse Sale or the Mitchell Horse Sale (although I won’t be bringing anyone home). Both are scheduled for April 19^th in the evening. I haven’t been to an auction in over a year so I have no idea what prices are like for the loose horses. I want to go but I’m not sure I can muster the energy. My heart seems to be in more turmoil these days.