When we first introduced her to you, we cried together.  She had been starved beyond recognition by her owner who was prosecuted for animal abuse. Jess (oh yes, this is Jess…we can hardly believe it either) and Isabella were …confiscated by Animal Control, so malnourished that when we saw them, we had to look away. We couldn’t bear the thought of them being destroyed after enduring so much suffering. They came to the ranch that the horses own, and amazed us by their kindness, ability to forgive, and slow steady weight gain. Their ribs slowly disappeared, their razor sharp bones faded and their flanks, barrels, and chests became round. While they both lost the dullness in their coats, the flat and listless expression in their eye, and the gait of the defeated…they never lost the kindness, the gentleness, or the gratitude. Jess protected  Bella, never leaving her side, and although she too was starving, Jess always shared her own hay with Bella, willing to go without to help her friend, even if it meant that she remained hungry. Once the girls were a healthy weight, we gave them the “gift of being horses” and turned them out in pasture in an effort to continue much needed healing in a place not visible to the eye or measurable with a weight tape. This is Jess today, she has reclaimed her life, and while both Jess and Isabella are thriving, she is still kind and marvelous in that she still shares with her friend. As for us, we are profoundly grateful to have been able to save her, thank you to all who help us help the horses.

Jess, BEFORE:

One year ago she came to us shattered, starving and hours from being put down after she was confiscated by Animal Control.