A Horse Named Joey

http://www.wix.com/khayajabula/ahorsenamedjoey

Joey's Story-
Josiah was rescued a year ago by the Human Society Of The BVI when he was literally at death's door. He had been tried as a race horse and failed. And sadly before they had even begun to race him he had hurt one of his tendons. Joey’s mother died of starvation and his father of colic, though his brother and sister are still alive. But they are in the same place where he was rescued, along with another horse. His age is still uncertain but is guessed to be around 9 and he stands at over 16hh. When he was first at the rescue he was aggressive and even went as far as attacking Tessa, the lady who runs the Human Society. In his previous life as a possible race horse he only knew humans as a threat, and in some ways it seemed like he wanted to hurt you before you could hurt him. Now thank to Tessa he is big, beautiful, healthy and happy. I have been working with him using Natural Horsemanship; and now I can trust him and love on him without fear and he can do the same. He has become a completely different horse.


My Mission-
I have recently grown a strong attachment to the big hearted Joey and I now have a dream of being able to take him home with me. I know some of you would like to know why him and why bother when there are so many horses needing homes right now in the US. One of the many reasons is because the BVI, right now, is in no place to be home to the amount of horses they currently have. In the races they hold here, there are no laws against the drugging of horses, which leads to over drugged dead horses. The BVI horses don’t get the same protection against abuse that US horses do. Another reason is that Joey or his pasture mates are most likely never going to have any other home than the safe pasture of the Human Society of the BVI, due to the lack of funds and understanding from the locals. It is hard enough on Tessa rescuing the four horses she currently has plus all the other animals at the rescue. And since she cannot rescue every single horse on the island, that needs help, we would like to bring Joey home and give her a free spot to be able to take in another horse.

Right now Joey has no job and no way of helping earn his keep, like the other horses at the shelter do by being suitable for children to ride. He is currently too inexperienced to handle such a responsibility. Because of this he had grown bored and disruptive. What I hope to do if I get him home is to start him in dressage and trail riding and to give a purpose and a job in life.

If we can’t raise enough money to be able to bring him home any money that we have raised will be sent to Tessa at the Human Society Of The BVI to help all the horses and other animals that they have saved, just like Joey.

We are Making Progress

We have just finished re-building the sheds on the property so now we have some where to store hay! I have painted a few sings and I am glad to say they don't look half bad and we have cleaned up a lot of the trash around the main parking area!

The Dream Of Khaya Jabula Ranch

We hope someday to become a youth ranch that lets children of all ages come and spend time with the horses, whether it be for healing a broken spirit, or simply to enjoy one of God’s most amazing creations.

It all started when I was about 10, my friend Lauren and I both had the same calling, to reach people through horses.

Originally I was unsure of what exactly to do with this calling, was I supposed to work in the HIPO therapy program or maybe with juvenile delinquents? What was I supposed to do! Since I could not, at least at this time, figure out what God had in store for me I almost gave up on it for a few years.What I didn’t know was that God had it all perfectly planed out.

One of the things that got me back on track was reading an amazing book, A Bridge Called Hope, it changed my life forever. It opened my eyes to what God had planned for me and it gave me inspiration to get up and do it. It finally gave me an outline of what I had been hoping to do, and it gave me hope. Now thanks to Kim Meeder I understand that I don’t just have to work with and specific kind of kid but any and all who want to come to the ranch.

We have recently bought 32 acres of land that needs a little TLC but in time will hopefully become Khaya Jabula Youth Ranch!