Returned to Freedom

We were hiking in the hills, admiring the wide open spaces and observing Mustangs in their family herd groups at the Return to Freedom horse sanctuary in CA. While the visitors I was leading on the wild horse walking adventure were experiencing magical moments, I never expected to have one of my own.

I noticed that Franco, a bay gelding mustang, was standing alone at the top of the hill, slightly removed from the rest of his herd. He was facing my direction looking straight at me. I felt a close connection, knowing that he was communicating just to me. As I slowly walked towards him, he made his way towards me. I felt my heart pounding. I concentrated on containing my excitement, so as not to frighten him off. As we moved closer and closer I used my body language to let him know that I meant no harm and I invited him to join me if he chose. He accepted and gently reached out to touch my face and hair, softly exploring different areas of my body. We spent time together, sharing this moment, a tear gently rolling down my face. I was honored that he had chosen to be in my presence. Realizing that some time had gone by, I thanked him and indicated that I was about to return to my group. As I walked away, Franco blocked my path by stepping out in front of me and crossing my body with his shoulder. Knowing he did not want me to leave quite yet, this time I accepted his invitation and rubbed the areas he enjoyed before finally departing.

This story, although touching, is not necessarily extraordinary, until you consider the circumstances and what Franco had gone through just five years earlier. This magnificent creature had been captured off his homeland, removed to a government holding pen and subjected to a life of confinement. Year after year Franco resisted any attempts at being gentled. As his pasture buddy, Mustang Sally, began to accept and enjoy human contact, Franco would stand in his shadow and keep people at a healthy distance. When it became necessary to take care of health issues, we called in a team of professionals to aid. Franco was tranquilized with a dart gun. Our vet ended up hiding in the bushes, as Franco became wise early on to our intentions. With more than 3 times the normal amount of sedative Franco held on before surrendering. He gave us less than 10 minutes to perform our duties before waking up very suddenly and full of presence!

As the head instructor and trainer at the learning centre that had become his home, I watched the awakening of many defense tactics as he refused socialization and training. On several occasions he even attacked well meaning individuals when he perceived even subtle pressure to be excessive. The only contact Franco allowed was through his gate. For he learned very early on that this barrier would protect him. He proved that you cannot bribe a horse, you have to earn respect and trust! However, throughout his time at the school, Franco became a tremendous teacher for many individuals.

Franco was able to teach timing down to the minute detail. It was crucial for us to hear the small whispers of communication and acknowledge the tries – even if it was just a look in our direction or a reach towards someone with his nose. He allowed us to experiment with advance and retreat methods, to explore the quantity of pressure and what he perceived to be pressure (i.e. the proximity between us, our body language and movements, a specific location – maybe where he was standing, eye contact or a piece of equipment such as the halter). Any incorrect or fast movement would cause him to bolt. It was a challenge for us to determine the length of the lessons while pushing the envelope and all in a manner that he would still want to stay out of choice and not force – for he always had the choice to leave.

After a while it became apparent that Franco saw no value in our interactions. Improvements were intermittent and when not handled he would regress to his previous wild state. He would become unfriendly, agitated and less tolerant when students were around and more willing to communicate and socialize during quieter times. He certainly approved of a trust based relationship with a familiar face than with a new comer. He eventually became gentled to the point that you could halter, groom and lead him in a fashion and pick up his front feet.

I soon realized that this majestic animal did not belong at the Center. I witnessed his strength to stand up for his right to freedom throughout this time and particularly when the decision was made to de-sensitize and saddle him. A very talented horseman was given this task and everyone was proud to witness the session. For me it was a heart wrenching experience, as I witnessed Franco standing, dripping in sweat in the training arena. The saddle and many plastic bags were attached as he stood tall, full of fear and yet accepted his fate. There was no physical violence involved, no chasing, no threats or tying up and yet he had been psychologically violated and harmed. My personal drive to return him to freedom became stronger by the day. It would take several months for this dream to be realized, but Franco would be free.

On the day of Franco’s move to the horse sanctuary I was very excited and tried to convey this message to him. However, he refused to be loaded into the trailer. We explored many different options and finally discovered that he found comfort in following another horse into the trailer. I realized then that his last experience in the trailer may have been very frightening and since that time he had no reason to trust me or any other human being as we had consistently ignored him.

It was a proud moment when Neda (founder of the Return to Freedom horse sanctuary) and I were able to release Franco with his new family. It was likely that had he been left on the range, Franco could have been a lead stallion, but now, as a gelding, he needed to find his place with this new group of horses. He went through many rituals with the others before finally being accepted and finding his place as “chaperone” of his new herd.

Up until this day Franco had never really offered himself to humans and I questioned whether he understood what I had tried to do… until he approached me from within this 100 acre pasture and I knew that he had finally found sanctuary.

by Anna Twinney