Refuge Farms (www.refugefarms.org)

When people visit THE FARM, whether it is for the first or hundredth time, we undoubtedly will end up talking about forgiveness, and trust, and respect, and determination, and the will to live, and faith. Each of those topics is bubbling right under the surface of every single visit while we tell the stories of The Herd. The stories of how the horse got here. The answers to the ever present question, "What's the story with this one?"

How can you tell Bonita's story without talking about determination and the will to live? How can you show off little Unit without talking about faith? How can anyone every tell the story of Miss April without talking of patience and the fight for life? And when we get to dear Beauty, we really don't have to say much of anything - just the sight of the deep, deep sway of her back and the kindness of those big eyes shouts forgiveness and trust!

But one discussion The Herd usually doesn't invoke is a discussion of commitment. No, that discussion comes when the guests and I talk about The 'Other' Herd - the Herd of Volunteers.

A new button has been added to the Home Page of this Website and is simply called "The 'Other' Herd". When you visit that button, you will be most pleasantly surprised to find pictures of these volunteers - their smiling faces there for you to see! And each volunteer has contributed a brief bio so you can know something about them. Please take the time to read and look at this new feature. Their personalities come right through in both the pictures and the bios!

You'll find our Ops Manager, Kathy, who is single handedly supporting the mission with her heart and her works. You'll find Tara who I have had the distinct pleasure of watching grow and mature in to a beautiful, fun young lady. You'll find Famous Barb who is changing right before my eyes and becoming a "Big City Girl". You'll find OS Rose who is a hoot! You'll find Suzie the Gardener who is taking care of one of the most important tasks of all - caring for those that have crossed. You'll find Lambing Barb who is just always there and giving gifts that you really didn't know you needed. And you'll find Vincent, our WebMaster Extraordinaire, who has gifted us with his talents and this very internet tool for reaching you! You'll find many, many more. Each with their reason for being here and each with their exceptional talent and never-ending enthusiasm.

Without this other herd, there is no Refuge Farms.

You see, "we" wouldn't be here on this hill, clean and orderly, open to the public free of charge as "we" are if it weren't for a whole team of people supporting "us". "We" would be quietly rescuing but always behind in cleaning barns, mowing lawn, brushing horses, cleaning stock tanks, and everything else I could possibly list! "We" would not be open to the public but would accept an occasional and curious drive-by guest from time to time. "We" would not be having the impact - making the difference - that we are today if it were not for The 'Other' Herd - the Volunteers.

Their story is a collective story of commitment. They see the need. They come. They see the opportunity to make a difference. They come. They see the fun of it all. They come. They see all of the work involved. And they still come.

Bless their hearts! And their hands and their strong backs and their commitment to THE FARM! One of the greatest gifts I have ever received in my entire life is the gift of The 'Other' Herd. What a treasure they each are!

Last Saturday at about 2pm or so, I took a minute and knelt beside Lady-the-Dog in the barn during our monthly winter public hours. The barn was packed! The head count was right around 20 people or so and it was thrilling! I knelt deeply next to Lady so I could rest my arthritic legs on the floor mats. Then I closed my eyes and listened. Really, really listened.

What did I hear?

Well, directly behind me I heard the story of Unit being told to a young child and I heard Unit showing off, as she does. I heard the story being told so the child could understand the very complicated medical procedure and that the bottom line was the gift of sight.

To my left I heard conversations between young girls who are so in love with absolutely any horse and a volunteer about volunteering. The conversation was upbeat and happy but included topics like training and safety and proper barn clothes and boots.

Somewhere in the barn I heard hard work. The hard work of cleaning a horse who must lay during the day and who's coat was caked and dirty. It was nasty work and hard work. But the horse stood like a statue and the volunteers dug in. I heard the sound of the giving of comfort and caring. I heard the sound of gentle, strong hands on an ever grateful body.

In front of me was laughter. Tons of it! Laughter and shrieks from the girls and the volunteers as the nose of Big Guy was being touched. That velvet part of a horse. But on a horse who's nose is about the size of my face!

Off to my right I heard silence. And I knew what was happening. A volunteer and a horse were together. And the silence was loud. They were sharing and the volunteer was getting what she was there for - her comfort and her reward for all of the work she had done today.

And then by the doorway I heard hugs. It was time for someone to head home to get ready for an evening with their family. And so the customary hugs were given and good wishes for the coming week.

I listened to all of this and tears rolled. Very softly in to the ear of Lady-the-Dog, I whispered, "It's magic, Lady. It's pure magic in this barn." And it is magic. Because of a ragged herd of rejected horses and the volunteers that love them and see our mission.

Visit the new button and in that way you will visit THE FARM. Meet all of the herds of Refuge Farms and see just how special we are!

Enjoy the journey of each and every day,
Sandy and The Herd and The 'Other' Herd