Borderlands Horse Sanctuary: A Decade in Review

We are officially a week into 2020. Time is flying. It’s hard to believe that we are already into a new decade. It was just yesterday that we started 2010. So much has changed over the last 10 years both at Borderlands and in my personal life.

In 2010, Mike and I got married. Dad rode Chaos and I rode Zeke to the little white church on that amazing day. Both horses did splendidly (as I knew they would). We also welcomed Joe, Thor, and Ivan into Borderlands. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Joe as his body couldn’t hold up to the rigorous of his past life.

In 2011, we turned our focus from any horse to senior horses. It was also the biggest year of intakes for Borderlands. Of the seven we took in, five were emaciated. We rescued Bo, Savanna, Sahara, and unbeknownst to us, Jett (previously known as Sir Prize) all from auctions. We also took in Flower, Dick, Rabbit, and Mayhem and fostered Prince for a short time. It was a tough year but worth the wake up call that we needed and are happy that we are focusing on seniors. We also said goodbye to Dick as his body gave out as did Sam’s. Both big draft horses but coming from two different worlds. One of pampered life and one of hard work. But both were ensured a dignified retirement and final days on this earth. We also said goodbye to Sahara. Her body was too far damaged to continue on in this world.

In 2012, we went through the hottest summer on record and through the blessings of a good neighbor used his pasture after ours dried up after only a few weeks of grazing. It was a tough year but an amazing year as it was the year my first was born. Borderlands was pretty much on standby while I was pregnant and struggled to care for the horses but it was a happy year. We also lost our beloved Queen and Thor in the fall along with sweet, sweet Flower.

In 2013, I experienced the worst and darkest time of my entire life. I have never before or since that time been so scared in my life. I almost lost my son that year (and my entire little family if you get right down to it). It was a struggle to move forward as we continually waited for the other shoe to drop. We also loved our beloved Babe, who had taught us so much about trust, patience, and being ok with what life has dealt you.

In 2014, we began to rebuild and become re-energized both personally and with Borderlands. We were starting to get our name out there. Being a private endeavor, we were still fairly quiet about what we did but still happy to help when we could. We welcomed Junior in November.

In 2015, we took another pause in most things Sanctuary related other than caring for the horses as once again I was pregnant and all but the basics of chores were taken care of. We welcomed not only our daughter in 2015, but also Lace in December.

In 2016, we FINALLY became a 501©3 nonprofit. We began to slowly make a name for ourselves and showcase the horses. We’d been a sanctuary for 10 years and were now official and could actually feel like we could talk about what we do and make a difference for more horses.

In 2017, we continued to plug along meeting new people and supporting our seniors the best we can to ensure quality of life. After years of struggling with Rabbit’s disposition, we discovered it was all pain based. Sadly, we couldn’t fix the pain and she told us she was ready to say goodbye. In the fall, we tragically and suddenly lost Ivan to colic. His unexpected departure from this earth rocked us and made us realize that we need to hold our loved ones close.

In 2018, we once again put all Sanctuary life on hold except for the day-to-day care of the horses until we had our third son. We struggled with the loss of Bo in February and Junior in July. Both hard keepers and both who had made a big impact on our lives, specifically Bo. Never will there be another horse like him.

In 2019, we started counting the number of horses we were asked to take in, and it was the most we’d ever been asked. It was a year of change and struggle but worth it knowing that we are making a difference even if it’s only for the lives of a few horses. We welcomed MyGirl in March and started our Long-Term Foster Program in June. We also welcomed Good Friday Jessie, Diavlo, and Ransom in September/October. It was exciting to welcome so many new faces into Borderlands. Sadly, we also had to say goodbye to Lace and Ransom in November. Heartbroken for the loss but knowing we made the right decision for both, as we know we have to ensure quality of life for all the horses at call Borderlands home.

It's been a decade of extreme highs and excitement when we met new people and horses and extreme lows as we have to say goodbye to our beloved horses. They are not just horses who pass through our gates. They become family and their passing from this earth is a loss that we feel forever. But we are happy to be a part of their life even if it’s only for a short time. It is always about the quality of life, not quantity.

We hope that the next decade is as exciting as the last and has more ups than downs. We would love for you to join us on this crazy adventure we call Borderlands Horse Sanctuary.