monte cristo

When we rescued the Count of Monte Cristo from a kill pen in Kansas, he was so skinny, weak, and frail. At 31 years old, lackluster without much energy, he was not gaining weight. We weren’t sure he had a rebound in him and worried about him making the trip to Oregon. We let him regain some strength and prayed for the best. He made it!

When he arrived, the vet removed an old tooth and he started getting warm mashes three times a day, which he loved. From the bottom barn, he would gaze up at the pen where Sarge lived, another old codger who had survived starvation. Monte was quiet and timid around humans, but made it known he would like to get in there with Sarge, who can be crotchety. We brought them together and held our breath. It is absolutely extraordinary how Monte transformed with this other curmudgeon.

This is what happened. We met the wild horse in Monte. Showing his dominance, strutting his stuff, head and tail held high, he shouted for the world to hear, “I am back and I am mighty.” Firstly, he ran around the whole pasture bucking and in such joy. He then introduced himself to all the nearby residents with a squeal and a dance. Then we came back to find Sarge and Monte grooming each other. Sarge has been with us for years and I have never seen him be quite so kind, respectful, and gentle. It was as if he knew Monte was older and had been through a lot, wanted to give him some comfort and make him feel better. With Monte, he was just so tender it made me want to cry.

Our seniors really are becoming such a focus just because they need more help and care in their later years. Yes, they are more work, but nothing is more rewarding than seeing them happy and comfortable. Two old horses are enjoying the very best of retirements together. Warm mashes, good food, fresh water, soft sand, shady trees, and all that their hearts desire. Sarge has a bell on his fence wire that he rings with his nose if staff are taking too long with breakfast. They love each other and I love them. Monte, you’re the best. And Sarge, thank you. Sometimes it all works perfectly and I know there is something bigger than us at work here.

#skydogmontecristo

American Mustangs and Burros Need Your Help

In addition to supporting our work by donating, becoming a patron on Patreon, or sponsoring a Skydog, there are several important pieces of legislation to protect American equines currently moving through Congress. It only takes a few minutes to contact your Rep and Senators and urge them to support these bills:

Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2025 (H.R.1661 in the House and S.775 in the Senate). This bill would amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the “Farm Bill”. There are several important provisions for animals in that omnibus federal law, including the Cat and Dog Meat Trade Prohibition Act. It is currently illegal to slaughter, transport, possess, purchase, sell, or donate dogs and cats, or their parts, for human consumption. The SAFE Act would extend the ban to equines and shut down the slaughter pipeline that sends some 20,000 American horses and donkeys to savagely monstrous deaths in foreign slaughterhouses every year.

You can Contact Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121‬, submitting contact forms on their individual websites, or sending one email to all three simultaneously at www.democracy.io

See our How to Help menu for other actions to ban zebra hunting at US canned hunt ranches and stop production of Premarin & other PMU drugs.

Bills from the previous 118th Congress that we hope will be introduced again this year:

The Wild Horse & Burro Protection Act of 2023 (H. R. 3656) This bill will prohibit the use of helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft in the management of wild mustangs and burros on public lands, and require a report on humane alternatives to current management practices.

Ejiao Act of 2023 (H.R. 6021). To ​​ban the sale or transportation of ejiao, a gelatin made from boiling donkey skins, or products containing ejiao in interstate or foreign commerce, which brutally kills millions of donkeys primarily for beauty products and Chinese medicine.