Violet

With all the planning, arranging, and everything going on in the world right now, sometimes there’s a horse that we cannot NOT save. Violet is one of those and thanks to a breathtaking downpour of love and donations, she has come to Skydog. When I saw her photos, I immediately thought of Gandalf, so this rescue is in his honor.

Violet is a beautiful grulla mare, who was born on the Sulphur HMA in Utah in 1993. She was captured on 26 September 1996 when she was just 3 years old. Violet comes from the same HMA as Sierra. Born decades apart, the BLM’s management of their land has not improved. Both beautiful, wild mares suffered in the hands of bad adopters before they were discarded in kill pens.

We will never know the details of what happened to her after her adopter received title in 1998. The scars on her face tell us she was left in a halter so long that the straps became embedded in her flesh. Thin and bedraggled, he has been so neglected, she doesn’t have many teeth. Her hooves were in terrible shape and her belly full of worms. In this condition, someone loaded her on to a trailer and hauled her to auction at the age of 31. Maybe knowing Violet’s age makes it worse. It hurts to think of her going through all this at her advanced age.

I can’t remember a mare coming in more poorly. When she first arrived, she would try to eat dirt, as starved horses often do. I would practically hold my breath while watching her so as not to startle her. When she seemed unaware of my presence, I sat on the ground, took it all in, and sent her healing and strength. She was strong for being so physically weak. When horses ran by, she broke into a little run to match them. To lift her spirits, she needed companions and a grassy spot with shady trees where she could see everything going on. Her emotional well being is so important. It can mean the difference between rallying and not.

Violet is wise, dignified, and tough. She has been accurately described as “spicy”, which I adore about her. As she was adjusting to her new surroundings, she wasn’t afraid to draw the line on what is acceptable to her and what is not. She charges if we get too close, not with the intention to do harm, it’s just a warning. The fire in her eyes tells us she hasn’t given up. As she gets stronger, she becomes more opinionated. She has our full permission to be as grumpy as she pleases.

The Dowager Duchess has put on weight and is looking so good. The introduction of Rosa into her pen made a big difference. Rosa is completely blind and Violet immediately took to watching out for her - even though she thinks her friend is crazy to let humans love on her. Violet needs a good hoof trim but she's not the most willing participant to go in the chute. She gets quite upset about being moved. We are weighing it up and giving her more time to decompress and trust. We have all the time in the world for Violet. As long as she's happy, we're happy. And right now, she’s very happy. 

Her next-door neighbor, Snow, gave birth to her foal, Frost, in August 2024. Violet and Rosa are absolutely enchanted with him. They have taken to spending all their free time over at their back fence babysitting Frosty and watching him grow up. They really should have some knitting needles and a ball of wool as they discuss the baby’s progress with Snow and Cheyenne and give old lady tips on how to raise a mustang colt. I think it's given a new lease on life to both of them and has certainly put a spring in their step.

Violet has found her place in this new world. I think her retirement is as comfortable and relaxing as it possibly could be. No bridles, no halters, no saddles or metal in her mouth, just peace, quiet, a friend who needs her, a baby to raise, bird song, shady trees, soft mashes, and fresh, clean water. It is our honor and pleasure to provide her with everything she could need or desire for as long as she lives.

#skydogviolet

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 2023 (H.R. 3475 in the House / S.2307 in the Senate). This bill will shut down the slaughter pipeline that sends some 20,000 American horses and donkeys to savagely monstrous deaths in foreign slaughterhouses every 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.

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, stop production of Premarin & other PMU drugs, and defund the Adoption Incentive Program.