I am the person I am today, because as a young child my parents gave me a gift, Poco, a horse that I fell in love with at first sight. From that day on, my life changed forever. I learned, through trial and error mostly, what it took to handle a horse. What evolved from my experiences with Poco is that I became a responsible young adult, I learned how to deal with the ups and downs of life at an early age and, most importantly, I experienced what trust is. Poco was the most precious gift in the world to me and not since have I experienced a bond so deep with a horse, not until I came to H.O.R.S.E. one snowy day in January 2004. Since that day, my life has changed, forever. That's where I met Montana.
Montana is a horse that was on his way to the slaughterhouse. He was rescued by The Humane Organization Representing Suffering Equines (H.O.R.S.E.) of Connecticut. Now, I am the person I will be for the rest of my life, because 30 years after my parents gave me Poco, H.O.R.S.E. of CT gave me Montana ~ a rare and beautiful gift. Every decision I make today and every day for the rest of my life, centers around Montana. Never in my life did I even begin to imagine that I would have a horse again. Even when I started coming up to H.O.R.S.E. and falling in love with many of the horses there, did I not even allow myself to think I would adopt a horse.
But, something unavoidable happened one day. I don't know exactly when, why or even how, but it did. Every time I would look at Montana, usually through my camera lens, there he was, looking back at me with his majestic, piercing gaze. It was if he was saying ~ hello, it's about time. He waited for me so long, so patiently, while I doused other needy horses with care. And when I started to work with Montana, I naturally, fell. In love. And when I think of the road he could of, would have, gone down if it weren't for H.O.R.S.E. of CT, it brings me to tears. Now that he is safe and happy and we are together, I am inexplicably happy. I thank H.O.R.S.E. for saving Montana ~ and the countless other horses.
The bond Montana and I share is intangible, untouchable and unbreakable. We are eternally bound by mind, heart and soul.
Sincerely and infinitely grateful,
Nicole