Meet The Herd
Regal
A full blooded Rocky Mountain Horse, Regal represents the first fruits of 8th Mt’s ministry. She was rescued from a life of isolation and abandonment where she barely survived a near-death experience and had lost all interest in life. She came to us nearly immobilized with agony and weakness, desperately ill, with her hoof walls eaten away from laminitis so severe it was questioned whether she would ever be sound again. None of her professional evaluations validated a life worth saving, but buried inside her layers of pain and brokenness, Regal cried out to live. With new found resolve, she began to fight back against the continuous negative reports, growing new hoofs and eventually overcoming the chronic disease raging in her body. She now enjoys running with her pasture mates without fear and pain. She transformed from a despondent, reclusive, defensive mare into a social butterfly that trots eagerly to the fence to greet visitors and offer kisses. As one who has triumphed over rejection, abandonment, and disease, she has become a daily reminder of God’s powerful redemptive work! She is named for her merciful presence that makes way for the King of Glory.
Sky
Currently our 20 year-old alpha bay gelding, Sky came as a tagalong, having served as companion to Victory, the object of our purchase. Carrying an “orphan spirit,” induced by a long history of broken dreams, stubby ears marking harsh weather exposure, compulsive behavior of cribbing to release his emotional stress, and an apathetic soul of isolation, Sky presented new challenges for us. His default position of intentional disinterest in the humans kept us experimenting with ways to penetrate his walled-off heart and form connections. But with patient pursuit, many trials of failing forward, working through his defiant rejection with intercession and supernatural assistance, he now offers a sincere kindness and sense of acceptance to our staff and guests. Given his many chapters of inadequacy, injustice, and scorn, it’s a marvel to see him now choose to dream again. We believe he will inspire the Father’s dreams within all those who encounter his gentle servant nature.
Jonathon
As a young gelding, this strong sorrel served faithfully alongside a hard working rancher and his young family. Unfortunately one day, tragedy struck when a wild boar tore through the pasture and collided with Jonathon’s left shoulder, dropping him to the ground. The internal damage was irreversible so he was sold as a companion horse, the only redeeming quality left. Sadly, this life led to severe neglect and loneliness. Rescued from his desperate existence of isolation, Jonathon became one of the first horses to grace the ranch. Jonathon is a giver and so with valiant effort, in spite of his continual battle with painful joint disease and periods of lameness, this kind giant works hard to please his new herd, the 8th Mt. team of big and littles, and he showers us with devoted friendship. He has a great smile, a beautiful happy spirit, and a great laugh. He loves to share joy with people. This is the gift he contains. He is an exchanger – joy for sadness, beauty for ashes. Walking in his design increases his joy. Created by the Father with a purpose he has not yet fulfilled, we are blessed to share the journey with this courageous horse. We see his loyalty and companionship as heroic, thus his new name, Jonathan.
Victory - "Tory"
At age fifteen, our daughter, Rachael, began a rigorous battle with severe mold-induced migraines compounded by two concussive head traumas that left her with significant vision and hearing losses, as well as severe but temporary brachial palsy/paralysis of her right arm. After nearly 2 years of fighting, these were supernaturally and systematically healed in the Father’s perfect timing and celebrated by the intersection with this four-year-old spunky quarter horse with unusual stripes marking her glistening mouse-gray coat [Grulla]. Just days before her arrival however, she suddenly became lame. Prayerfully, we risked bringing her to the ranch believing there weren’t any hidden ailments to compromise her soundness permanently. She ambled off the trailer and enjoyed an intimate bonding session with Rachael. In days, she was fully restored! Just as Rachael’s story of brokenness and loss resolved with overwhelming and miraculous victory, the gift and timing of Tory daily reminds us of God’s relentless commitment to redeem even the darkest of circumstances. He promises to always lead His children in triumph.