Howdy Folks,
It was a lonely
time in 2002 when Lucia's husband, Matthew was sent to Kuwait leaving her and
their three children behind. At the time the family had no horses, but having
grown up with horses, Lucia knew that to get through this trying time she would
need the strong shoulders of a horse to lean on. Matthew needed her support and
letters, the children needed her love and shelter. She needed a friend she
could count on to carry her over the rough patches of loneliness and worry.
She set out on a
quest to find that friend. The first moment she saw Thunderhawk standing knee
deep in mud in a small corral she knew he was the one who could carry her. At
the time she had no idea how far he would carry her, or how much influence he
would have on her life – and the lives of others.
The Original Wind Dancers |
Thunderhawk was
Lucia's introduction to the world of the Spanish Mustang, the rare amongst
America's historical horse population; they are descendents of the Marismeno
breed. The very horses Columbus brought from Spain on his second voyage.
"Today there are about 1500 remaining Spanish Mustangs, they are listed
with the Equus Survival Trust as endangered." Lucia explained.
It wasn't long
before the proud horse, in whose veins pulsed the ancestral blood of bull
fighters in Spain, and buffalo hunters, war horses and the sacred dog of the
Native Americans, not only led Lucia and her family through that hard year of
separation, but he began to cause a stir in Lucia's heart. "This breed
should be preserved for future generations." She told Matthew.
Within in a year
she had five Spanish Mustangs. Then nine years ago, gathered around the kitchen
table at Christmas with friends, the topic of the decreasing number of quality
horses within the breed was discussed. In the fall of 2007 the topic came up
again and there seemed to be no good vehicle for preservation or public
awareness and according to Equus Survival Trust there were only one to
three-hundred breeding mares within the Spanish Mustang horse population.
Robert Brislawn
Sr., Gilbert Jones and a small group of men had years earlier founded the
Spanish Mustang registry to preserve the Indian pony of old who so gallantly
served the Pony Express, vaqueros, and old cowboys – and prevent the horse
portrayed in Remington and Russell art from disappearing. They feared the
Spanish Mustang was getting out crossed and outsized out of existence and were
pivotal in beginning the preservation of these horses. In fact they had not
been recognized as a breed until the 1950's. Many of the Spanish Mustangs
genetics place them in the same families as today's Andalusians, Lusitanos and
Sorraias of the Liberian peninsula. The "Mustang" name is a bit of a
misnomer in truth.
While serving as
a moderator on a Spanish Horse forum Lucia met Pam Keeley. Pam was a country
girl from Kansas and had a great big soft spot in her heart for the Spanish
Mustangs because they reminded her of her childhood mustang crosses. Pam was
immediately excited to jump on board and reaffirmed Lucia's idea that a
conservancy called "Windcross" was in fact a real possibility.
Running Free |
By January 2008
The Windcross Conservancy was fully established as a South Dakota non-profit
corporation and a 501(c)3 dedicated to the preservation of America's Heritage
Horse, the Foundation Spanish Mustang and poised to continue the work of Robert
Brislan and Gilbert Jones.
Within this
amazingly short four year period Windcross has grown from Lucia's sixty acres
to securing a 440 acre preserve in Buffalo Gap South Dakota. They have welcomed
horses from across the country that they feel are some of the best examples of
the breed and have them there on the preserve. "We acquire horses in two
ways," Lucia explained. "Sometimes we'll be given a life-lease for
the preserve herd, and other times we'll do a rotational breeding program where
the mares or stallions will stay for one, two or three years and the progeny
will stay at the preserve, or go to what we call ambassador homes, and the
mares and stallions go back to their owners."
"Our
Ambassador Program, is a seedling of public awareness." Lucia explained
they place horses in homes for life, or until they retire back at the
conservancy, where they will be seen at shows, exhibitions and public
appearances. In addition to the United States and Switzerland, Windcross also
has ambassador horses in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. To learn
more about Ambassador horses and Windcross go to www.windcrossconservancy.org.
Thunderhawk and his children |
Thunderhawk is
now a lesson horse. "And he's a great teacher." Lucia laughed.
"He'll stand like a statue until the student gets it right. He'll use his
magnificent charm to let the student know when they've nailed it! Overall these
horses are excellent with children."
Lesson horses at
Windcross are becoming more important as this year the conservancy begins a
program to receive interns from several different universities. They are also
launching their newest outreach program, "Horse in a Class" which has
two levels. One is a teacher's lecture in a box which shows the Spanish Mustang
and its contribution to America's history. The second part is to take living
history to the classroom, and bring the classroom to Windcross.
2012 saw the
beginning of regular summer tours and onsite live on volunteers and interns.
Young adults came from all over the world to learn what it takes to understand
and work with these horses. Several of the students will be returning next
year. The program filled quickly and is already filling for 2013 and 2014.
2013/14 should
see the implementation of the ambassador horses for the preserve taking part in
a program with PTSD veterans as equine therapy horses. Windcross has been
working with a local facility for over a year to get the program working and it
looks as though they may finally be moving forward into reality.
2013 Will also
once again see Windcross ambassadors in St. Gallen Switzerland taking part in
the jubilee Agricultural festival and the parade there, which is one of the
largest horse breed showcases in Switzerland. Three horses were sent as
ambassadors 2 years ago and remained in Switzerland to represent Spanish
Mustangs to Switzerland and Europeans.
The future holds
many terrific new and exciting challenges, goals and rewards for Windcross and
the Spanish Mustang. With the newest of outreach programs falling into place
providing the ability to touch folks young and old and introduce them to the
majesty that is the Spanish Mustang, it as if we hear Thunderhawk saying,
"Take what I give you and pass it on."
Thank you,
Thunderhawk, we will.
Gitty Up
Dutch Henry
What an amazing story, Thank you Dutch for sharing it. It can be a daunting task to preserve an american icon. I hope, and wish for their continued seccess.
ReplyDeleteDutch, thank you so much for sharing this story... no that's not right. Thank you for sharing Lucia's saga and the transformation that Thunderhawk continues to bring about in the lives of her family, herself, and the many others whom they have touched.
ReplyDeleteIt is a rare thing these days, to find such positivity around us, and it is the folks like Lucia, and the supporters of Thunderhawk that continue to renew my faith in America, and the world.
Bliss and blessings to all of you, in all things, always.
Arghhh Where was my head...? Meant supporters of Windcross and Thunderhawk
DeleteDutch, thank you for bringing back such memories. Revisiting that time in our lives that was filled with so much turmoil, and remembering the gift that Thunderhawk brought to me and my kids during that time was pretty special. To this day he is my go to guy. Flying over the prairie after horses, working cows through the prairie and plateaus, and treating 60 kindergarten children to a ride around the foot ball field one at a time. Yes he is pretty special in my world. Because of him. We give back.
ReplyDelete