They took Apache out of the Apache Forest —
all that’s left is just another forest with cows.

The wind still moves through the trees,
but the mountains don’t echo whinnies
and something sacred is missing.

They ran them through gates into trailers
drove them for days in fear and heat
Terror in the chutes, through disease ridden slaughter auctions of Bowie and Cleburne.
Where their dignity and pride disappear
and their souls are priced by the pound.

But Apache didn’t give up,
And somehow,
through grit, through grace, and
through people who did what it took,
his family was found again.
While one mare and baby were found
shot in the forest, by callous cowards, we found the rest of them alive.
One by one his mares and babes
each in a different auction,
A band stitched back together,
by a community and by love.
Now he lives safely
with his original family,
together again, protected. They’ll never again be shot at, the fear is gone from his eyes, because he’s learned that he is safe.
Living his happily ever after
with SRWHMG.
And if you want proof that he is grateful, that he has a soul and personality inside him —
just watch.
Watch how this gorgeous horse speaks a language. How he answers his greeting to Simone, when she tells him Hi.
How he lifts his head
and snorts his greeting softly.
Like he remembers, how his life was spared. How he met people who really cared.
Like he understands
why he had to give people one more chance.
They may have taken him from the Apache Forest. But they never took the Apache
out of him.

It was expensive, it was hard, but he was worth it. Sincerely, SRWHMG.