Stardust & Tango ~ Adopted!
Rescue work is hard at times with lots of heart break; to see horses arrive in bad shape, physically and/or mentally, making difficult decisions or loosing them, and many tears are shed. It’s all part of the Journeys of Hope at MVHR.
But it is Journeys of Hope like these that have us crying tears of joy, and remind us why must MVHR exists for Horses in Need.
Star and Tango have been at MVHR for several years, although tolerating the basic care to keep them healthy, neither mare cares much for humans close by. Both gave birth to foals at MVHR and it is therefore not surprising these mammas became best friends and are inseparable. MVHR decided a few years back that these mares were just going to "be", they had told us they did not care to be part of our people world, and we respected that choice but knew there was an adopter who felt the same way eventually....
Well these patient mares have found their spot, just what they were waiting for all these years; a calm pasture life with lovely folks who will leave them just as they are. Interested in Tango as a pasture mate for their horse, the adopter quickly realized that Star was also to come and live out her life with them. (are you crying yet?)
This is why we give all horses the time to graduate from their Journey of Hope, we know there is someone out there for all of them!
Read below each horse’s Journey of Hope.
Stardust’s Journey of Hope
Star(dust) is one of the four mustangs who arrived in December 2016. She and the other 3 were part of the Hallelujah Horses, a rescue mission by Fleet of Angels, from a failed Mustang Sanctuary in South Dakota. The local government stepped in and a rescue effort came together to find over 900 mustangs a home. They called upon rescues nationally and thanks to MVHR’s long time supporter Alexandra Mastriana Solal, MVHR was able to commit to taking in 3 Mustangs.
Fleet of Angels got a lot of transporters together to get these horses out. December weather was horrendous in South Dakota but horses were dying, and so trailers were lined up and horses were rounded up, and pushed in trailers who would take them to a safe place. Due to these horses being wild and bonded, four mares got on the trailer headed to MVHR, so we welcomed four to the ranch just a few days later.
As Spring 2017 approached, we realized that Stardust was likely pregnant, not surprising as there were many stallions within the 900 Mustang herd. A beautiful Colt was born on April 24, 2017. He was named Woodrow, after the former owners of Yellow Dog Ranch, now the MVHR Ranch, in honor of their generous support in MVHR being able to purchase the property in McCoy.
After Woodrow was weaned and the years that followed, Star spend time doing groundwork training and made progress to become a riding horse. She went to hunting camp as a pack horse, she spend several months with Mitch Harris in Whitewater, CO together with her Mustang Sister Chanel. However she continued to share with us that being around people, working for people or simply being told what to do was not for her. While her three Mustang Sisters Gaby, Cekka and Chanel, who arrived with her in 2017, all got adopted throughout the years, her Mustang genes were strong and we heard her message loud and clear; she needed a quiet life as a companion horse, left alone to be herself. This wise mare knew the day would come, and March 30th 2025 is when she chose her new home. Star being standoff most of the time knew these were her people, as she calmly walked up to the fence when they approached, allowed them to pet her and then to be haltered and lead on the trailer. All quiet and peaceful. Her eyes say it all - Let’s go already! I’m ready….
Be a good girl Star, take care of Tango and the other horse like you did care for every horse that joined your herd. You are our second Boss Mare ever to step foot at the ranch, and Blondie (the original Boss Mare!) will be proud. We will miss you!
Journey of Hope of Stardust - December 2016 through March 2025
Tango ‘s Journey of Hope
Tango arrived at MVHR in June 2020, together with Mango. Both mares came to us via the kill pens and a compassionate horse person who got them out of there. These mares had been through a lot and looked it. Both were under weight, look "road weary", and are very nervous around people. During their time in the kill pen they were both exposed to stallions so the potential of pregnancy was a possibility.
Tango indeed was pregnant and she started to grow quickly so the foal watch began in July. Fortunately Tango had a few weeks at MVHR to put on weight, be dewormed, vaccinated, and started to get comfortable around people after her frightening adventures thru the kill pen. However Tango had us fooled, as her foal was not born till April 2, 2021. The beautiful filly who was named Cora B. Tango was the most amazing mother, and this is when Tango’s friendship with Stardust began, as she became a good aunty.
After Cora B was weaned and adopted, Tango began her own Journey as we tried to learn what this beautiful girl wanted to do in life. After her pregnancy, we did find her hind pasterns were in rough shape, and that becoming a riding horse at this stage in life would not be a good idea. We worked with her on groundwork as she remained nervous and catching was difficult. She told us in all these interactions, that a home where she could roam and be herself without human pressure was what was best for her.
So it is not surprising that Tango and Star stuck together, both patiently waiting for that one person who would give them the peace they needed in an adoptive home. Our hearts were open to keep them for the rest of their lives, but there were other plans. A potential adopter reached out via the website, stating one of his two horses had just passed away, and he was looking for a companion for the horse left behind. He had read Tango’s bio on the website, and felt she would be perfect for the life he was offering; living freely in pasture and getting the occasional treat if she would want it. As your read above in Star’s Journey, as soon as they approached the corral, Star was front and center, Tango being her shy self was keeping her distance. The adopters connected with Star, and ultimately decided to take both mares, the most amazing scenario for these best friends.
Star was haltered and led into the trailer, after which Tango hopped in right after her, as if she was telling Star and every human; “You are not leaving me behind here!”
This is why we help horses like Star and Tango, there is a right home for every horse, whether that takes years or is within weeks, it takes patience for both human and horse to find that perfect match, that lifetime companion and the horses will tell us when it is the right time, as they ultimately choose how and with who their Journey of Hope continues.
Journey of Hope of Tango- December 2016 through March 2025
