HI! MY NAME IS SPIRIT

I’m about 5 years old and I’m a Quarter-Arab mix. I was found wandering in the San Gabriel Riverbed in the Whittier area, not far from where my friend Angel Eyes was also found abandoned. I was in such bad shape that I was supposed to be euthanized. Fran and Ron said they saw a lot of spirit in me and decided I deserved a second chance, crossed their fingers and took me home to J.A.M.E.S.

The children from a local elementary school named me “Spirit” and I do have a lot of that, whatever it is! I don’t like men and I don’t like to be touched. When Fran can get a lead rope attached to my halter ( I usually outsmart her!) I will let her brush my mane or stroke the top of my neck but I get real nervous and it’s hard for me to stand still. I won’t let anyone touch the rest of my body. I do love food and carrots and sweet feed and oats. If you offer me a treat I don’t usually turn it down. Fran and Ron say this is progress, so I guess I’m doing something right. Everyone says there is a “long road” ahead of me. That’s okay by me because I’m happy here with my friend Angel Eyes.

Ron and Fran say the only history that we can piece together in any certainty is that he was the victim of a horrible and inhumane sport called "horse tripping"*.

The angle of the most recent rope burns on his right legs (the cut on the rear leg almost to the bone) in conjunction with the split in his forehead confirm that his legs were pulled out from under him and he landed face first in the dirt, probably at a speed of 20-25 mph.

Add to this that he was being forced to run on a splayed left front hoof so long that it resembled a ski jump and a calcification on his right front hock the size of a grapefruit. One small, terrified, crippled horse being brought down by 3-4 macho charros riding strong, sound mounts. And they call this sport!

His scars, old and new, speak volumes as to the abuse he's suffered. This poor boy is terrified of being touched and has kept as much space between him and us two-legged folk as possible. Trust is at the end of very long road for his guy, but he's making progress. He's curious, he's a fighter and the one thing that hasn't been broken is his spirit.

*Horse tripping has been banned in the State of California. Although it is a misdemeanor, "backyard tripping" is still prevalent is some areas. If you suspect or know of someone who is involved in this activity, please call your local Animal Control or Law Enforcement agencies. For more information, type in keyword "horse tripping".