I have met so many loving, kind, beautiful people in the horse world... but I have been disappointed yet again. While out having a sweet visit with willow, I was told of a woman "big in the Friesian world" who was claiming it was well known in the Friesian community that Willow was a stolen horse. Of course, when I heard this, I went into panic mode.... I knew so very little of Willow's past. And although we trust and adore Leah and Mark, what if they had been lied to and the people who supposedly owned her had stolen her? We know they let her be neglected to the point of nearly starving to death, so could it be that they had stolen her and then lied to Leah and Mark? So I immediately called Leah. I was shaking and crying when I told her what I had just heard. She was so calm and assured me that she would find some way to prove that it wasn't the case. While waiting, I went and found the woman who said she had heard that Willow was stolen. She described many "red flags in the Friesian community" regarding how I came upon my new horse... I asked her who the woman with "connections" was and she pulled up their conversation on her cell phone. After reading the entire conversation, it was so obvious to me that these two women WERE the source of this new rumor. The main "red flag" it seemed was that "Mountain Girl" wasn't a legit Friesian name... and that her price of $5,000 was just WAY too low for a horse of her "Ster" designation. Well, as I explained to this nosy woman, "Mountain Girl" was the nickname Leah had for my horse... it wasn't her registered Friesian name. I also had to remind this woman that Willow was a VERY sick horse (and not a very young horse either)... and that many people wouldn't want her at any price given the thousands of dollars it would take to care for her (and that she likely would always be ill). By their conversation, I could tell that these two nosy, trouble making women had conjured up this whole thing and had convinced themselves that she must be a stolen horse. And then they proceeded to tell someone very close to me that she was!
After a while, I heard back from Leah. She was able to find out who Willow's first owner was (the one who sold her and the others to the people who neglected her). Her name is Nancy, and Leah called her to explain what was going on. Nancy cried when Leah described the state in which she found Willow and the other beautiful Friesians. Leah gave me her number, and I called her... Nancy was horrified and grief stricken. I was so grateful to talk to her as Willow was mostly a mystery to me. Aside from her having a cyst removed (under the care of Leah), a problem swallowing food & choking, a Friesian "Ster" brand of "F S" on her neck, and of course the fact that she had been neglected and abandoned to starve to death, I really knew NOTHING about her. Through her tears, Nancy told me that her name was Leona. She was born in California in 1995. And miraculously, Nancy still had her paperwork and would mail it to me. I assured Nancy that I was committed to loving and taking care of this sweet horse. Nancy was so sweet, so I told her that it was obvious Willow was so sweet because of her love. "No," answered Nancy, "... she was born that way. She is the sweetest horse in the world." Yes, she sure is. And you know, maybe the Vulture story is right... something good was born from this bad experience... I got to talk to Nancy and learn more about Willow... what a gift...
I then went home and googled one of the women (the one "big" in the Friesian world)... turns out she is a Friesian breeder herself... well of course she doesn't like to see a Friesian sold for $5k.. even one who is sick and starved. When I mentioned TK's name to Leah, she told me that this same woman actually contacted her about Willow. She posed as a potential buyer... Leah told her that she had gone to a loving home, and then TK wrote back demanding to know where this horse came from, etc. She totally harassed the very people that saved my horse's life!! What I don't get is why these women were investigating my horse (or trying to) when it is so clear that she is where she belongs... where she is being loved and completely cared for. She is under the care of Martha and her team, Dr. Hawthorne, Dr. Kimmons, and various others. She is being fed the best food for her and supplemented with vitamins and minerals. She is receiving numerous therapies, including Myofascial and Acupuncture. And mostly, she is being showered with love. Unless someone knew of a Friesian mare that was stolen, WHY would they cause me so much heart ache and trouble? Nothing better to do, ladies? How about praying for this sweet horse... or better yet, rescue a horse yourself as there are SO many that need rescuing. But leave MY horse alone. Don't go causing trouble where there isn't any. I have enough heartache already.
I've been a fan of your actions/textures/photography for a couple of years and am now a fan of this blog and your story. I love the fierce love you have for Willow. One interesting thing - had those 2 nosy women not become involved, maybe you wouldn't have found out about her past. Love that something good came from something so vicious. Anyway, I'm really loving this blog and your story. And I'm totally rooting for you and for Willow!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Oh totally!! In fact, I am just now revising this post to mention that & how it coincides with what I learned about vultures... thank you Linda!! xo
DeleteHaving been around horses and horse people all my life, in the dressage world.. I can officially say many of these "lovely" ladies enjoy the drama, will believe what they want to believe and see what they want to see to feel better about themselves. What you're doing is a good thing, don't let a few people bitter about their own lives change it. Enjoy it and know what you're doing will help Willow and what they're doing will sadly only corrupt them even more.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Shana. It's sad how malicious people can be. I can't decide whether they a) know the heartache their lies will cause and don't care, or b) are so aloof they honestly just don't realize the result of their actions. Don't ever let someone take away the amazing things you are doing. Not everyone has a heart so big as yours to take in an older, sick baby and show her as much care and love as you have. Your actions are inspiring and reminds us that there are good, loving people out there. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGod brought you and Willow together. There's not much more to say. The Devil tries to step on happiness and all of our Fathers' great works. Evil will be evil, but know that there are many of us who back the beautiful thing you are doing for this miracle Fresian. I will keep you in my prayers. xo to you Shana
ReplyDeleteShana--dear sweet sweet Shana I have been following your journey for a while now. You were adopting Oliver at the same time we adopted our little guy Levi. I have four children two adopted from Guatemala :) Shana I am honestly going through the most heartbreaking time I have ever been through in my life. This story about you and Willow is so inspiring and healing. Without spilling out all of the details is there anyway I could call you or you could call me. I'm so sorry to even ask I know you don't know me and this may sound crazy but I would really love to talk to you and share something with you. My phone mumber is 614-309-4654 --If you don't feel comfortable talking I completely understand --Just know I think God is using you and Willow in such healing ways and I really wanted you to know :) thank you for writing and thank you for your beautiful heart and following such huge dreams of the restoration of a beautiful soul. YOU inspire me! thank you
ReplyDeleteCrystal... I will call you... as you may know, I went though my own biggest heartache while in Guatemala. This experience has brought that sadness back to me... :(
DeleteShana, People who cause trouble are often jealous of the person they are causing trouble for. You are a great person, wonderful in a lot of ways!! Try not to let two busy bodies bother you!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie W
Keep up the good work Shana!!!! There are always going to be people who want to step on someone else's happiness and love. You are an amazing gift for Willow!
ReplyDeleteShana...
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of your photography work and actions. I also love horses - I'm so sorry that you've experienced this heartache because of troublemakers. Praying that your Christmas gets better and that Willow thrives under you and your team's care!
Blessings,
Monica
Shana, as I was reading this post, I couldn't help but to think of the horrible situation that happened to you and your family while in Guatemala, which sounds so similar to this current situation with Willow. The similarities are pretty astounding! But just know that you won't be burnt again. You have control this time, where last time you had no control. Stay strong and be brave. You are a wonderful person with a special gift of healing through love. ~Laura
ReplyDeleteShana, I LOVE everything about you and what you are doing. Linda Niehoff said it very well. I will continue to keep up with this blog. So Special.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a true Momma! Willow is lucky to have you. I'm enjoying your blog and your photographs of her. Wishing you bright days ahead as you journey together toward healing, trust and love. Thanks for being an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeletelove to you -
Kelley
I'm so glad you posted about this, and I really, really hope these women have the pleasure of reading it and being called out for their malicious response to something that, to any person with normal feelings, can only be viewed as a wonderful thing! Personally, I can't imagine finding the time or energy to get so involved in a situation that was none of my business. Which is why I also think it was so nice of you to include a list of things they can do to keep themselves better occupied, such as rescuing a horse of their own. Clearly, they have way too much time on their hands and needed help finding something constructive to do with it!
ReplyDeleteI can't find an explanation; the world of horse lovers is the world of people who LOVE, people who CARE, people whe are GOOD. Then,what are those extremely envious people doing? Do they want to make you fell bad? why? I just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful you two are. I am so glad you found out who she is and were able to put the busy bodies in their place. God bless you for taking in a sweet horse who deserves the love you are giving her.
ReplyDelete