At the heart of Red Bucket Equine Rescue lies an indescribable dedication that its team shares to improve the lives of previously unwanted donkeys and horses. Our version of success is measured by the “goodbyes” we send our friends when they head off to their forever homes. It can be a lot of work though, to rehabilitate our equines to the point where they are ready to be matched. Our Guardian Angel volunteer program works on a one-on-one basis with some of our most neglected horses, allowing them to develop reliable and safe relationships with humans, often for the first time.
When a group of around fifty horses were rescued from a Thoroughbred breeding scandal, they were found in a desperate state of filthy, overcrowded pens, completely emaciated, waiting to be picked up by a slaughterhouse-bound truck. Instead, what came was a group of people determined to bring these horses to immediate safety and improved health. In this group of horses was a 3-year-old Bay Irish Thoroughbred who came to be known as Striker. A simple description of Striker during this time is to say that he was “a challenge.” There were things that he should have learned as a foal (such as boundaries) that were going to need to become engrained. As one can imagine, doing this with a 3-year-old, 1100 pound horse was going to take a huge commitment and plenty of one-on-one attention.
It was around this time when a volunteer named Rexanne had approached Red Bucket to find a project that would entail more involvement. There from the beginning, when asked how to describe her experience working with Red Bucket, Rexanne states: “Red Bucket is one of the best organizations I’ve worked for. We are here for the horses. Everyone wants to be a part of something bigger and the organization has allowed that.” With those sentiments, along with her experience, Rexanne was committed to Striker in the Guardian Angel program where one person works directly with a Red Bucket horse in a routine that will provide guidance and establish trust. While Rexanne does admit that Striker took a while to break free from the grudge he held from his past life to learn manners, she has always known his potential.
About two years into her experience working with Striker, Rexanne had a horse that she was going to retire. She approached Susan Peirce to begin the matching process and looked at many of our horses. However, when she would work with the other prospects, Striker would get very jealous. The progression in which Striker was able to come from fear to a point of trust had allowed their relationship to bloom. Susan knew that Striker was Rexanne’s match, and certainly Striker did too.
Since Striker’s rescue, many things have changed. From starvation and certain death, to a forever home that is expanding, Rexanne has worked hard to bring Striker to the incredible place that he is in today. Rexanne laughs fondly when describing how spoiled he is, or how he can be too intelligent for his own good. There is history in her tone when she explains the improvements he has made in behavior and training. There is joy when Rexanne describes the way Striker claims and protects her children. There is love when she says he is part of the family. There was success when we were able to send Striker off with his destined match.