The Horses of Heartspace

PREMA

Born in July, 2000, Prema is a BLM mustang mare from Nevada (area 51). Adopting her when she was four months, I made a lifetime commitment to her. She and I have a special bond and we have learned so much from each other. Strong and sturdy, she is a lead mare giving guidance to the herd. She has known what it’s like to fight for food as a youngster with other captive mustangs and lets no scrap go to waste. Smart and determined, she is a kind and gentle teacher.

SCOUT

Born in April, 2005 to Prema, Scout is a Mustang/Quarter Horse mare. She came to me in 2007. Being co-leader of the herd with her mom, she works at keeping them all managed. As my main trail-riding horse, she takes me wherever I want to go and loves to explore. She is a playful spirit, although at times she can seem so serious. Teaching boundaries is her specialty.

NEHALEM BAY (NEHALEM)

Born 4.22.1998, Nehalem is a Holsteiner mare who came to the Sanctuary in 2015. She stands about 18 hands tall, by far the biggest girl out here. She is very sweet and kind. Despite her size, she gets pushed around a lot. Nehalem has been fighting lymphoma for over 10 years, resulting in a swollen lower jaw. When I got her, she barely had the strength to get into the horse trailer. Shaking and weak, she managed the trip home. I was uncertain as to how long she would be here as it seemed death was knocking at her door. However, she began eating and gaining more weight and strength each day. My heart was overjoyed as I watched her run to me from the front of the pasture and jump over a little ditch with such big and beautiful movement! Reiki, herbs, and proper nutrition have helped to boost her immune system and build up her compromised lymph system. Each day she is showing improvement and her lymphomas have all but disappeared.

SHEKHINAH (KINAH)

Born 6.13.1992 and arriving at the Sanctuary in 2015, Kinah is a Danish/ Thoroughbred mare. Underweight and in need of rehabilitation, she has come along quite nicely. Also a lead mare, she has sorted things out with Prema and Scout. They all are getting along well and have an understanding amongst themselves. After working through some trust issues about receiving proper care, her eyes have brightened and softened. She absolutely loves being scratched and brushed everywhere.

SCHEER NIGHTIE (GRACIE)

Born 5.4.2002, Gracie is also a retired Thoroughbred race horse mare who came to the Sanctuary in 2015. She has become great friends with Prema and Scout, as you can see in the many photos we have of the three of them together. After bonding with them, she now has a place in the herd a bit higher than before. Hiding out behind them, she waits for their lead, definitely a follower. Incredibly sweet, she will stop eating if you scratch her or give her any attention whatsoever.

HY-POPPY (POPPY)

Born 3.31.1995, Poppy is a Welsh Pony mare who came to the Sanctuary in 2015. Great with children, she is such a cutie and so sweet. Knowing how to stay away from all the drama, she quietly waits her turn for hay. Mostly keeping out of trouble, she does, however, love to go on a walk-about if she gets the chance. Everyone loves Poppy and she loves the attention and being brushed!

REVEL

Revel, a Quarter Horse/Arab born in January 1995, came to Heartspace Horse Sanctuary in 2016 from a rescue organization in Portland, OR. He had been up for adoption as a pasture pet but had no takers; his time was running out. When I went to visit him, he followed me up and down the fence line. His soft eyes and loose lips stole my heart and I promised to take him in and care for him for the duration of his life. He loves being a part of a larger herd, sharing his role as top gelding with Mr. Zee. He often volunteers to help people who come here feel more at ease.

MAYA

Maya, a Pony born in 2013 (approximately), arrived at the Sanctuary in 2017 with her sister Sunny after being in a foster situation that had rescued them from poor conditions. Maya was very shy and not very trusting. Imagining all she had been through, I gave her the time and space she needed to make her way back to her heart in order to connect with others. She has come a long way, and every day seems more open to trust.

SUNSHINE (SUNNY)

Sunshine (or Sunny), a Pony born in 2014 (approximately), arrived with her sister Maya in 2017. More outgoing than her sister, Sunny loves people and is very curious. When I go into the paddock with a halter, she will often try to put her head into it whether you want her to or not. She has made great progress and is becoming more confident everyday.

ZEE

On the day that Sunny and Maya arrived, the woman who brought them to the Sanctuary received a call that Zee, a Pony born in 2011 (approximately), needed to be re-homed from his foster situation (also from poor conditions). Knowing he was Sunny and Maya’s father, she asked if I would like to reunite him with his daughters and take him in as well. How could I resist that! He is timid but very willing to come near and even be brushed now and then. Coming along quite nicely, he is realizing this is now his home and he doesn’t need to be so afraid any longer. The other horses have taken them all in as part of the herd. It is so wonderful to see them all running together.

OPAL

Opal, a Quarter Horse born in April 1994, came to the Sanctuary in 2017 underweight. She was also very attached to her daughter Jewel (who ate a lot of Opal’s food and was overweight). The two panicked if they were separated. Quickly realizing extra food was much more enticing than hanging with Jewel, she got used to her new friends. Being in the paddock with a few other special needs horses (older and needing a special diet), she has now become attached to them and a lot more trusting of people. After all, she gets yummy mash without her daughter eating it all.

JEWEL

Jewel, a Quarter Horse born in May 2002, arrived with her mother Opal in 2017. As an easy keeper and much younger than Opal, Jewel has settled into the herd nicely, making new friends and learning the dynamics of the herd. She seems more relaxed and willing to be handled by her new people. Now that she is settled in, she has begun training and is turning out to be a great trail horse for an experienced and gentle rider.

SHADOWFAX (SHADOW)

Shadow is a Quarter Horse/Arab born in 2006 (approximately) who came to the Sanctuary in 2017. Arriving from the same rescue farm as Opal and Jewel, he had been removed from a very rough situation. In a paddock with his mares, he is very much at ease and a joy to be around. Outside of the paddock he works himself into a frenzy. For now, we do all we need to in his safe place while helping him build more confidence. He has already made progress and we’re excited to see how he blossoms.

DAKOTA

Dakota, a Welsh Pony born in 2000 (approximately), arrived here late one night in 2017. When her friend called out as they pulled away, she answered back. None of the other horses called out to her. They were so calm and quiet. I was expecting everyone to be riled up, but that didn’t happen. It seemed so out of the ordinary in the moment but I then realized they were all calm and quiet to help her to be calm and quiet. All of the horses were so accepting of her from the very beginning, almost as if they had known her all along or at least were expecting her. Since her arrival, Dakota has really built her confidence and trust in people, she even comes to her name being called. Absolutely a sweetheart.

NEZ

I got a call one afternoon early December 2018 from a rescue in Sandy, Oregon asking if we had room for a blind horse that needed a home asap. They saw the ad on craigslist which creates a sense of urgency since meat buyers often look here for good prospects. That’s not happening to this beautiful girl. Nez’s Wish volunteers went to see her and get the owner to remove the ad and almost immediately we found a ride for her to my place. When I looked at her photo I began to cry and knew this was a good fit. She looked just like a horse I had as a teen and she is blind like the two I had to let go of (not my decision unfortunately); When they were given away without my knowledge. I swore that I would one day help unwanted horses and never let this happen to a horse in my care. Thus, the impetus for starting this Sanctuary was born.

The vet said Nez was approximately 13 years old making her birthdate sometime in 2005/2006 and she is totally blind. She doesn’t have a pupil in her right eye and her left eye doesn’t function at all. Looking at her you wouldn’t know she is blind; she manages quite well and loves the sounds of things, especially the feed wagon. She is such a sweetheart and is learning a lot of new things. Taking our time with her we want her to feel safe and comfortable. She has her own paddock that she shares with her new best friend, Opal.

PEDRO

One morning in 2016, I was looking on craigslist and noticed Pedro, a donkey born in 2002 (approximately) that needed a home. Upon meeting him and having him put his big head into my arms, I promised him I would bring him home to the Sanctuary. He has been the star of the paddock ever since, although the other horses may not think so. He has buddied up to many of the horses and is a calming influence, especially for Revel. Pedro really knows how to bray for a treat or a little attention. Loving to be brushed and scratched, he’s never too far away from people. Having him as part of the herd is such a joy. He now has the run of the place.

Adopted

ALI

Born in 2001, Ali is a Welsh Pony/Quarter Horse mare who came to the Sanctuary in 2015 and has since been adopted by my son, Martin, and his wife, Olivia. Since she arrived, she has really come out of her shell. Trusting us and loving the attention she gets, she is very responsive. Being quite fond of her adoptive parents, Olivia and Martin, she loves every minute she has with them. Going on a few trail rides with Olivia really got her excited for more. Attention and love is all she really asks for.

KONAH

Born 6.22.1995, Konah is a Palomino Arabian/Welsh Pony/Morgan gelding who arrived in 2015. Being more than willing to do whatever you ask of him, he is very much a gentleman. Being a pro at staying away from all the mares when they are pushing each other around the hay, he quietly keeps to himself until all of the drama is over. Olivia and Martin have claimed him as well, and he is particularly fond of Martin.

RAINBOW BRIDGE

SLEW’S GOLDEN GIRL (ATHENA)

Born 5.11.2001 and joining the Sanctuary in 2015, Athena was a retired Thoroughbred race horse mare and descendant of Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew. Athena was a sweet and responsive horse. Being brushed and loved on would put her right to sleep. One morning I found Athena in the front pasture, having passed to the Rainbow Bridge during the night.

VALZARA (VAL)

Born Valentine’s Day in 1989, Val is an Arabian mare that came to me in 2015 in very poor condition. Severely underweight, she was listless and seemed to have given up. During a bout with colic, I thought she was on her way out. Doing some energy work on her and letting her know I would honor her wishes but she was welcome here, she made her decision to stay. After giving her some fluids in the morning, she recovered fully with a new lease on life. Having put on some weight with proper nutrition, she looks about 10 years younger. Following me everywhere, she seems grateful for no longer wondering if and when she will be fed. Val crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge at the start of 2019; she was just shy of 30 years old. The property is not this same without our “free-range” Val gal.

Click HERE to learn more about Melanie (director of HeartSpace Horse Sanctuary) and what inspired her to follow her dreams and make her passion for horses a reality.