Blossom
In the past, Wings of Hope Ranch Rescue Barn took in horses with the hope
and expectation that they would someday be used in the ranch program. In
the Fall of 2009 and after some soul searching and prayer, we 
expanded
our hearts and minds to take on a new rescue project that would not stay
permanently, but come for training and rehabilitation, then move to a new,
permanent home. We decided to help USERL (the United States Equine Rescue
League) by taking in a true rescue case. It didn't take long for God to
fill that spot with sweet little Blossom.As with all of our animals, her
story is not very pleasant. Unfortunately, Blossom didn't receive any of
the necessary care a pony requires, such as shelter, feed, farrier and
vet care. She came to us completely untrained and with a matted coat in
some places and bare spots in another. She was essentially untrained and
very untrusting of human contact. Until coming to the Rescue Barn, the
majority of Blossom’s handling had been manhandling out of necessity to
get something done. When the farrier came to trim Blossom’s feet she was
in such a panic and it could not be done. Under sedation, the necessary
farrier work was performed the next visit, and we learned that she had
only had one trim in her first 5-years of life.
With the help of one of our trainer/volunteers and a recent training clinic , Blossom has been taught some basic behaviors such as standing for the farrier and for fly spray. She has also been “socialized “ into the herd and “socialized” with gentle human contact. AND as of May 2010, she has had a saddle on her back! Blossom is distinctly adorable and grabs the heart of anyone who comes into the barn as they witness her peering over the stall door. We have heard it said that “through what you think you know, you will quickly learn what you don't know” , and that is certainly true with Blossom. It is only through reading, watching , and learning the teachings of the horse clinicians that we can develop a great relationship with a horse. We were recently contacted by USERL notifying us that someone had their eye on Blossom to adopt. We quickly realized that Blossom was more to our program than we expected her to be. So we welcome Blossom to Wings of Hope Ranch as MORE than just a project. She is our Blossom.
Since deciding to keep Blossom in 2010, she has become quite the playmate to many of our Ranchers. Blossom is now undergoing consistent training and has become an integral part of the program with ground work and training with our youth leaders in our new round pen. She is ALWAYS the favorite pick of the week even though she is still unridable to date. However, since fall 2011 Blossom is under saddle and in a bit which is one step closer to being green broke to ride.
