Run RTFs American Wild Horse Sanctuary for a Year

Dear Friend,

As the year draws to a close we thought we'd tell you about a heartwarming recent rescue made possible by you and our other caring supporters—

We've seen it many times, but we are always amazed—and touched—by the forgiveness and sweetness we are shown by animals who have been abandoned and let down by humans in the past. Even horses and burros who had been sold out to be auctioned off—probably to the slaughterhouse—look at us with loving and grateful eyes.

We're seeing this quality right now in "The Texas Ten"—ten burros from several different "owners", left behind at the Bowie, Texas feedlot when their usefulness as breeding moneymakers was over, to be torturously shipped to a Mexican abattoir to be mercilessly stabbed to death, their flesh shipped abroad for human consumption. But, somehow, they decided right away to trust us.  Sweet and curious, we promised them they won't be let down, ever again.

It's hard to wrap our heads around such betrayal—not even any appreciation for the many thousands of dollars they made for their ungrateful "masters"— male intact burros, called Jacks, are used to sire burros and mules for the lucrative market. We shudder—how many baby burros the nine jacks fathered were eventually betrayed in the same way?

Yet, despite the fear and confusion they must have felt when they were left in a strange place, with the humans they had depended on disappearing down the road in a dust cloud, they look at us with loving eyes.

And what must they think of each other, all finding themselves in the same auction pen, transport trailer and finally walking out on RTF soil? These ten came from multiple sources, but there are bonded pairs and groups among them, like Frick and Frack, the two very slight, twin-like boys, with their spindly legs and huge ears!  They are inseparable and stand together like brothers.

As with any rescue, the real work—and more expense—begins once we have the animals safe with us. To be honest, we were not intending to take in more animals right now—with 400 horses and 50 burros, the past couple of years have been difficult, with the price of hay doubling at times. But we couldn't say no to them, and as soon as we saw their big eyes, confused and hopeful –we were so glad we took the chance! It is a testament to our RTF supporters that the rescued displaced wild horses and burros here have NEVER missed a meal in 25 years.

But we saved some great news!—we unexpectedly found great forever homes with people we know who will provide oak-studded pastures and care for a lifetime!  The boys will remain in bonded groups of two and six! The Jenny and Clyde will join our burro herd here at the sanctuary.

But it will be a while before they travel to their forever homes, and Jenny may have a baby soon—your continuing support helps to feed these trusting little fellows and the 50 burros already living at Return to Freedom’s sanctuary!

Your donations are transformed into nutritious hay and supplements and expert veterinary care for our residents, many of whom are seniors, and into the work we do to keep wild horses and burros running free on the range.

As we are touched by the loyalty and friendship in these burros' eyes, we are also deeply grateful for yours.

To the Wild Ones, and Those who stand with them,

All of Us at Return to Freedom

Links:

• RTF Website