Who Are We

Julie DeMuesy, Founder and President

 

My mom always told me that I had a herd of imaginary horses when I was barely 2 years old. She told me how I would describe them all, different colors, names, sizes and they lived in the basement and would go out in the back yard with me every day to romp and play.

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be in the company of horses.  I felt very connected to them.  I was fortunate to be able to go to “horse camp” every summer for a week or 2 where I learned all about horses and made great friends with other kids from all over the midwest.  The Bar L Ranch was the best of all worlds.

I was blessed with the ability to have my own horse during my “tweens and teen years. I loved many but Samson was my salvation. He knew me inside and out and helped me deal with the teenage years.  When I was sad, he was sensitive and kind.  When I was upset and needed a challenge to focus on, he was a spirited steed that kept me on my toes.

My biggest regret was letting Samson go when I met my first husband.  I have always said I should have kept the horse and got rid of the husband but he did give me one of the best things in my life, my baby boy Joshua.

Many years passed before I was able to immerse myself in horses again.  With the help and support of my awesome husband, Paul, I was able to purchase my Raven.

She was the most amazing mare I have ever had the pleasure to know.  After 20 years out of the horse world, she kicked my ass back into shape in no time.  We had 17 awesome years of adventures together and I will always be grateful for her.

Who knew that this love of horses would lead me to where I am today, rescuing and rehabilitated these magnificent beings I call friends. God is good.

I now have 6 of my own horses.                                                                            Samson (named for my horse savior when I was a teen), who is the best of  both of his parents, Raven and Taz, my now 17 year old gelding who has lived with me for all of his 17 years.

Taz was really my first rescue because he had an injury that threatened his ability to be ridden in the future.

At 4  months old, he injured his knee, sat for 3 months until I bought him and he had his first vet evaluation of the injury.  We tried to stabilize the knee but it became clear by the time he was 4 years old, his knee was beyond repair but that did not mean he could not live comfortably with me as a companion to the others.

Then there is Beau, my cranky quarter horse mare who turns 21 this year.  She is really the best horse ever, one I can trust to take care of any rider and yet when I am on her she is the spirited cutting horse she was bred to be. 

 

 

What can I say about my Slick.  He came to me as a 3 year old barely handled stallion but from the first moment I was his and he was mine.  We have a connection that was instant and deep. He is sensitive and spunky, beautiful and elegant.  He was the best of his two breeds, American Quarter Horse and Andalusian.  I love that he looks for me and will come to me when he sees me or when I whistle, no matter where he is on the property or what he’s doing.  I whistle and hear a whinny and then crashing hooves coming thru the woods.  That is heaven on earth.