Second Chance Ranch

Adopted 2009

The first time I saw CJ I was on-line looking at horses.  He was at the top of the list of horses for adoption at SCR and I loved his story.  His mommy had died when he was just 5 weeks old.  He was large and beautiful and his description said that any person of any age could ride him.  I fell in love at first sight from his picture and logged on to look at it just about every day.  I remember the day  he was moved to the adoption page and telling my husband that he was gone.  I was so disappointed even though I wasn’t  in the market at the time.  The thing about SCR that I liked and what kept me returning to the site was the guarantee of personality and experience match up.  Katie states that she encourages many visits before an adoption and will take a horse back under any circumstance.  I have known Katie for awhile now and have seen this process in action.  Due to the economy she has taken back many and her dedication to the horses in her care is like none I’ve ever seen.  Not that I haven’t met good horse owners, but she’ll make it happen no matter what it takes using every resource she has access to. 

So a few months go by and I  decide I want to introduce myself to Katie and make a donation to SCR.   I told her that I had been checking out her website, her mission and that I’d like to support her cause and she invited me to come meet the horses.  I wrote back and told her about my experience and that I’d really liked CJ when she had him up for adoption.  She wrote to me again and said “That’s funny…. while communicating with you, I immediately thought of CJ.”  Come to find out that CJ had been on trial with another woman that didn’t work out and she still had him available.  I about jumped out of my chair!  I was so excited to meet him and because of the extreme weather conditions and flooding we had to keep rescheduling our first meeting.

When I finally made it out there, I couldn’t believe how amazing Katie’s place was.  There were so many beautiful horses in the herd.  There were so many stories.  I felt like I was wandering through a pack of oversized puppies.  They were huge, athletic,  silly and sometimes naughty and she talked to them like children.  When I saw CJ, he had pulled his blanket half way off and was playing with a traffic cone.  He was a little smug and I loved him for it.  I loved him because he was going to make me prove myself and I was up for the challenge.

I ended up becoming a volunteer for Katie.  While my kids were in school I came at least once a week to help out.  I cleaned stalls, gave baths, drove the tractor, groomed, fed and even helped move horses after I got a trailer.  I have had the great privilege of learning from Katie, witnessing her compassion and working to help the horses.  In the meantime, I fall in love with CJ again every day.  He has presented me with as many challenges, growth and confidence builders as he has been a gentle giant protecting me on a ride.  He is my trail buddy and we are growing into a better team with each day.  Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to go to Eastern Washington for a weekend of camping and went on our first solo 10 mile ride.  I didn’t know if we were going to make it out of camp because we hadn’t been out by ourselves.  We took off up a hill at a trot with tears in my eyes and never looked back.  We went through water 3 times, over logs, through mud and shared an amazing trip.  He’s been ridden by a six year old, and two big guys with no problem.  When I get the chance, I have coffee with him while he eats breakfast. 

He brings me joy every day….and sometimes he’s still smug.  If he gets bored or needs a job, he’ll let me know and then I find him one.  He also tells me he loves me once in awhile and I can’t imagine a day without him.  I am so thankful to Katie for CJ, for all she does to protect and care for horses, and for allowing me the privilege to share in her mission.  Katie lives a life that some of us wish we could live in a romantic sense.  I would love to own a ranch and rescue horses.  Katie lives a life without  a lot of sleep, fancy dinners or clothes.  She doesn’t get days off or vacations.  She lives for her horses…period.  Because of knowing her, I have a new best friend and I am a better person.  I encourage you to donate.  I encourage you to adopt.  I encourage you to volunteer.