This is the time of year race  tracks are winding down.  Trainers, owners jockeys all scurrying to find homes for their racehorse that aren't competitive enough to move South for the winter at the more competitive tracks.  Many are baring injuries that require time off, many are thin most have no idea to do anything other than race. Many are sent to auctions and make their way to slaughter outside of our U.S. borders  thankfully that did not happen to Wind.

Wind in the Forest really  found her way here by accident. It was the time of year the race tracks were closing down and rescues were posting horses in need of homes. I just happened to click on FingerLakes Rescue trainer listing and began sifting through horses. I didn't need a horse, I wasn't looking for a horse per say, just looking at them. But of course I found a horse that just jumped out at me. A tall, thin and sad looking gelding named TK's RocketMan. Oh how he pulled on my heart strings. Before my brain could talk my heart out of it I sent an email to the FingerLake volunteers asking for their help in securing Rocketman's fate. I could barely sleep at all that night thinking I couldn't wait to get that sad boy off the track. Put several hundred much needed pounds on him and give him a new and loving life. I awoke to an email letting me know they would try tracking down his trainer and get the ball rolling!!! Sadly, that afternoon they emailed back saying he had just been sold that morning to another trainer and was already headed south to another race track. My heart sunk. I was so sad for this horse. His eyes clearly showed he was done and ready for another life. I thanked them for everything they do for these horses and wished them well.....little did I know I would be hearing from them again in just a few short days.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw there was an email from them. Did they find Rocketman? Had there been a mistake? Was he indeed still at FingerLakes Race track in need of a home? The email could not open quick enough. But no, nothing of Rocketman. Instead, a desperate plea on another horse. Her race name was Wind in the Forest. She was racing Monday and needed a home ASAP after the race. Their rescue was full and had already exhausted all their fosters with other horses from the track. I immediately and politely declined. I really wasn't looking for a horse. The shipping from NY was over $500. I had not seen the horse and had no info. I just couldn't do it....but after 15 minutes the guilt set in. A horse in need is a horse in need. I wrote back for them to try aggressively for the next 24 hours to find her a home and if one could not be found I would consider it. Needless to say, there was no options for Wind after the race, I was it.

Monday afternoon as the trainer prepared Wind for the race he told her you win this today and I am sending you to a new home. I guess Wind didn't get the memo that win or lose she was coming because she ran her heart out that day. She launched out the starting gate and never looked back as she galloped towards her new life and she did indeed win!

Wind arrived just a few days later. I learned Winds biggest obstacle on the track was loading her into the starting gate. She hated it and it took upwards of 6 men to get her in. What a stressful place to be for a horse. You are being asked to stand completely still seconds before you are asked to run at your top speed. I really couldn't blame her...

A horse has two responses to fear. Flight or Fight. Wind was a fearful and extremely sensitive young girl but she was a fighter. I spent weeks trying to do ground work and round penning in effort to establish trust, to "join up" if you will. You work the horse on the ground in a round pen controlling their direction, their speed, their turns etc... But after weeks and weeks Wind still wanted to turn right in at me leap in the air off all fours well above my head mind you and continued despite all my efforts to get her to move off in another direction. She had more stamina than I and we clearly were not accomplishing anything. I sat smack dab down in the middle of the pen. Wind faced me and snorted. I remember thinking at that moment, you just can't tame the Wind. Wind was smart and one of the most athletic horses I have ever met but she was insecure and full of fear on the inside all the while trying to act tough on the outside. She had spent her lifetime developing her survival skills to emotionally with stand the often cruel and insensitive environment these horses are forced to live in. Who was I to try and tear down these walls that Wind had spent years building? The best thing I could do for Wind was to get her into her next home as soon as possible. I knew when I took Wind I would be but a stepping stone , a small part of her journey to her forever home.

When I first posted Wind on the Internet I got many inquiries from trainers and riders wanting her as a resale project. Meaning they would train her and resell her. I had to decline. Wind didn't need anymore transitions in her life. Then I got an interesting call from a sports agent for a breeding program in New York. The woman spoke to me as if I should be honored she was reaching out to me. They wanted to purchase Wind and add her to their sport breeding program. She boasted of the top notch care she would receive while In their program. I waited till she was done and asked her. What happens to Wind when she can no longer make babies for you? After she has made hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of babies for you? Do you still guarantee that top notch care for the rest of her life? Her confident tone quickly changed as she confessed that she couldn't guarantee what would happen to her when she could no longer reproduce. I told her I appreciated her honesty, but had to decline. They were prepared to offer more money, but I cut her short telling her I make my decisions based on knowing I can go to bed and sleep at night not the money I am going to make. Besides, I knew before I asked those questions I would not let Wind go make babies for a racing industry I don't believe in.

Finally I received a promising email from a young lady named Cassie. She had one horse already that she was keeping forever, but was looking for an athletic younger horse to bring along. She had every intention to never part with this new horse. I was excited to meet Cassie and was keeping my fingers crossed she would fall in love with Wind.

Long story short Wind has been with Cassie for many years now. I know it hasn't always been easy but Cassie has committed herself to this horse. She accepts Wind for who she is and loves her that much more because of it! She has shown her patience, love and consistency. Cassie allows her to express her insecurities when she needs to and Wind tears down those walls she spent years building at her own pace. Cassie has given her the time and the space to do that. She doesn't try to change Wind but support her. I can't thank you enough for that Cassie. Moreover, I am grateful that every night when my head hits the pillow I sleep soundly knowing Wind is exactly where she was destined to be. When this picture popped on my Facebook I cried. We all know my tears come easy but I thought of Wind and how many, many different directions life could have blown  her and how she too could have ended up at an auction and sent to slaughter like the way too many to count others after they have run their last race. On a day I wasn't feeling very strong Wind gave me strength. She reminded me to fight. Thank you for that Wind! And Cassie there are not enough thank you's in this world for all that you done for this horse and what I know you will spend a lifetime doing for her. You truly ARE the wind beneath her wings!!!