Romans 1:20 reminds us that God’s invisible attributes are clearly seen in creation.

Inspired by this truth, 8th Mountain Ranch believes that all creation has an incredible purpose: to reveal the multifaceted nature of God. Among His creation, the horse stands as one of His most majestic expressions.  We read that the horse possesses thunderous power and dauntless courage in Job 39:19.  Sadly, this God-given nature is often misunderstood as rebellion. Many times, it even intimidates the most confident trainers. In such moments, submission is not nurtured but demanded. Instead of being shaped, the spirit is broken.

After witnessing heartbreaking scenes of rejected, abused, and abandoned horses, one little mare stood out. Paraded in front of the camera, her Arabian chiseled muzzle was made even more pronounced by her emaciated state. As if she had a voice, her wide eyes flashed with both fear and a fragile hope.

Littered with bite marks from dominant horses and injured by the brutal environment, survival was all she knew. Suddenly, a wrangler slipped a bridle over her delicate face and, with effortless motion, swung his leg over her ridged spine. As the metallic bit pressed against her tender palate, her mouth began to salivate and her tongue fought to expel the foreign object. Desperately, she arched her neck, lowering her head toward her chest in the as if to escape the pressure. But there was no relief.

With the last of her strength, she bore up under the weight of her rider and carried him like a prince in a serpentine pattern. Back and forth she went, showcasing the gashes and sores scattered across her listless brown coat. Still striving for approval, she offered a trot, swishing her tail violently with each step as pain surged through her swollen hock.

As Tasha and Robert replayed the reel, they saw this young, frightened mare, bursting with potential yet ambushed by time.

Have you ever felt like time was up before you were ready? If only you had a few more minutes to prepare, a few more days to learn, or a few more seasons to bloom?

This petite horse failed to perform by the end of her training period. Unjustly, she was discarded.  It was just a matter of time before she’d be forgotten as soon as the auctioneer’s voice rang out: “Sold!” Sold for a fraction of her worth, sold for destruction.  Much like Jesus, she was betrayed by her owner for a mere fraction of her true value.

Would anyone recognize her magnificence, heavily cloaked by malnutrition and neglect? Would she be given time to flourish and mature, or would her worth be reduced to dog food, glue, or worse?

Time was running out. With only hours remaining before she was to be sold for slaughter, Tasha and Robert intervened. They ransomed her. They saw her not for what she was, but for what she could become.

We too have been ransomed. Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 2:9 that God chose us, rescued us, and transferred us out of darkness into His marvelous light. He saw us and redeemed us, giving us the gift of life, an eternity to learn of Him and to grow in His nature from the inside out.

Just like the story of this horse’s rescue, we want to encourage you: you are seen, and you are worth every drop of Emmanuel’s blood.

There are no hopeless causes. No accidental creations. No worthless people.

You bear the very image of God. He found you in your lowest state and chose you.  Now you belong to God.  

Isaiah 43:1 — “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”

Now begins the process of redeeming the pain and rejection of the past.

While her story is still unfolding, we invite you to join us in celebrating the homecoming of Amaris.

Click here to read more about her new name and her beautiful new beginning.

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