Howdy Folks,
Sanctuary.
Webster's dictionary defines sanctuary as, "A safe place. A place of
refuge and protection." Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary in Lincolnton, GA is
exactly that. Currently over fifty horses who have been rescued from all sorts
of abuse, neglect and trauma can live out their lives, running free under the
watchful eyes of Melanie Sue Bowles and her husband Jim. Never again to worry
about hunger, abuse or abandonment they romp together as a family through
pastures, streams and woods. Melanie expects nothing of them, except that they
enjoy the peace and happiness here. Being one of the few true horse sanctuaries
in the country no horse will ever be adopted out. "They've given
enough." Melanie will tell you.
Proud Spirit horses relaxing by the pond |
I had the honor
and pleasure of interviewing Melanie on Tuesday for a story to be published in
my October Heartbeats column in Trail Blazer. They make a practice of saving
horses other rescues turn down since they'll never adopt them out, they don't
need to be able to be ridden. "Our horses will never see a bit, saddle or
any tack again. They've given enough." Melanie said.
Dixie and the Mustangs soaking up the sun |
All the horses at
Proud Spirit come from one form or another of neglect or abuse. Melanie believes
it's quite arrogant for humans to think they are the only species that deserve
emotional well being. She and Jim believe and promote that it is just as
important to place as much emphasis on the horse's emotional well being as we
do on their physical needs. That thought became the cornerstone of Proud Spirit
Horse Sanctuary's philosophy.
Melanie and Jim |
Over the past 25
years Melanie and Jim have intervened on behalf of more than 300 hundred
downtrodden horses, many of them coming to the sanctuary to live out their lives
in peace and dignity, a life that most had never known before.
Melanie began to
write down the stories of some of the horses they'd rescued and a friend urged
her to publish those stories because they might help others understand how
horses need and deserve our compassion. Her first book "The Horses of
Proud Spirit" was published in 2003. Melanie has since released two more
books, "Hoof Prints" and "The Dogs of Proud Spirit." Over
the years the sanctuary has welcomed a number of unwanted dogs as well.
The proceeds from all her books help to support the sanctuary. Visit their
website http://www.horsesofproudspirit.org/ to purchase these fine books.
Be sure to watch
for my story about this wonderful place in my Heartbeats column of the October issue of Trail Blazer, and thank you Melanie and
Jim for all you do to help horses.
Gitty Up ~ Dutch
Henry
Thanks, Dutch, for shining a spotlight on this incredible woman. She definitely deserves accolades. I haven't had the honor and pleasure of meeting her yet, but I've read just about everything she's ever written. I'm sure there is a halo waiting just for her.
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