Sundance

A new beginning for an abused horse

Sarah Elena
Khaled Eltayeb




Sundance
A new beginning for an abused horse

Written by Sarah Elena
Illustrations by Khaled Eltayeb



We would like to dedicate this book to all of the people at Tir Na Nog,
for taking care and loving these beautiful animals. You are truly
making a difference. Thank you.














Sundance
A new beginning for an abused horse
















(1)
There are a select number of things I can remember
about my previous life. I can remember where I
was born, and who my mother was. But after that
my memories become hazy. We teach ourselves to
forget as much as we can. Some things though
some things I cant forget no matter how hard I try.
Thats what happens to victims of abuse and
neglect. Apparently, I was born with one purpose:
to carry a rider into the Olympics. To compete in
the Olympics, a horse needs to excel in dressage,
which is like ballet for horses, or in jumping over a
series of impossibly high fences.
(2)

(3)

In the beginning I lived in a beautiful stable. I was
constantly attended to by grooms, farriers and
veterinarians, my riders worked with me everyday. I
was fed only the best grain and hay. Each morning, Id
wake up and go through my dressage routine. Then
back to the stable so I can eat. Next, Id get brushed,
and then its back out to the track arena to practice
stadium jumping. There are different people always
riding me. Teaching me how to jump properly, and
different ways to move my hooves for dressage. At the
end of each day, I was tired and my muscles sore from
the intense training. I slept well during those days.
(4)



(5)

Some of the other horses here the same routine
as me. Some trained even harder. The main
difference between them and me is our ages.
Most of the horses here were 8 years old. I was
only 3 years old. Sometimes the people loaded
the other horses into big moving metal boxes.
Sometimes they come back with big blue
ribbons. Sometimes they dont come back at
all. Horses are always coming and going from
this place.
(6)

(7)
It wasnt too long ago, that I decided I didnt
want to jump fences anymore. Actually, it
wasnt that I didnt want to, I couldnt. My hind
legs began to feel weak and then they actually
started to hurt. If I had my choice, I would
rather be free to run across vast plains like my
ancestors. Free to roam without any
expectations of me, but thats just a fantasy.
Everyone knows that all horse need to earn their
keep. Anything less and youre done.


(8)

Eventually it became so uncomfortable to
jump fences and put so much weight on
your back. My front legs hurt as well, but
my hind legs, were much worse. I tried to
show my injury to the people, but they
never really seemed to notice. When they
did notice, they gave me injections for the
pain so that I could keep training. They
had big plans for me.

(9)
Soon, every time they took me out to the track I was
unable to do the jumps, and my legs just gave out.
They would urge me back to my feet and walk me back
to the stables I would get to have the day alone. This
was nice. There were no expectations of me. I just got
to be rest and be comfortable. The people looked all
looked disappointed. I felt bad. I hoped Id be better
soon. The vet came and shook his head sadly. Too
much too soon he said. youve ruined this horse. He
was too young for such extensive training. After a
while the people stopped taking me outside. They
would always talk in front of my stable but they never
talked to me anymore.
(10)

One day, they took me out of the stable. And they
brought me to the metal box with wheels. A ramp got
put down, and up I got pulled into it. I was too scared to
resist. I wonder where they were taking me. Inside the
metal box was hay, but it didnt look like enough to live
off of. They took of my halter, and closed the door.
Soon after, there was a loud noise and the box started
moving. I cant even remember for how long we were
moving for. Hours and hours maybe.

(11)

When the box finally stopped, it seemed as
if we were in the middle of no where. There
were no stables anywhere. No paddock. No
arena with jumps. No trees. It was flat, and
very hot. They unloaded me out of the box,
and took me to the side of the road. They
slapped me on my flank and I trotted away.
They quickly got back into their moving
puller, and drove away. And there I was, in
the middle of nowhere, left all alone.



(12)
At first I thought they would come back for
me. They wouldnt leave me here all alone. I
decided to start walking in the direction they
went, hoping they would come back. A day
went by, and I was still alone. I hadnt eaten.
Hadnt drank any water. My legs are killing
me. I can barely stand up. I decided to lay
down for a little bit. While I was laying down,
I thought about what was going to happen to
me.



(13)

(14)
What do I do to deserve this? Was it because I
could no longer carry riders? I never imagined
being on my own like this. Will anyone come
for me? Why would people who took care of
me for as long as I remember abandon me?
The people who I have known all of my life.
Why would they leave me all alone in my
time of need? When I was injured? I soon fell
into a deep sleep, for I needed the rest badly.



(15)
The next day, I was woken up by a woman standing over
me talking on her cell phone. She clearly was upset.
Near death, I heard her say. And then, abandoned
and inhumane. Send help was the last thing I heard
before dozing off again. The second time I was woken by
people talking and loud sounds. I lifted my head to see a
number of people, as well as some more vehicles. I tried
to get up, but my legs wouldnt let me. I just fell back
down. They brought the metal box over to me and helped
me stand. On shaky leg I was led into the box. We started
moving. I could only guess where we were going. I just
tried to concentrate on distributing my weight so I
wouldnt fall down.


(16)

Soon, we arrived at what looked like another
ranch. I was brought into a stall. A lot of people
came to see me. They touched me, and brushed
me, and looked at my legs. The people were very
gentle and nice. My legs were wrapped up, and
they walked me slowly out of the room. I took in
my new surroundings. There were other horses,
and many paddocks with fresh hay and room to
run, and the sun was shining bright. I was put
into an outside pen, next to two other horses.


(18)

(19)
Ever since, I have lived here. I have all the cool water I need.
Fresh hay and grain. I am brushed and to in the same ways I
was in my past life. No more jumping. No more dressage. The
people here are sweet and kind, and have taken care of me like
I matter, even though I can no longer carry a rider. I have
learned that this place Tir Na Nog, is a horse sanctuary. This is
a place where I will be allowed to live out my days with no
expectations.








High Tech High
International
was able to work with Tir
Na Nog during this
project. We were able to
meet all of the horse at
the ranch and learn their background story. Sundance
stood out to us, and we felt that his story needed to be
shared. No animal should be treated as a replaceable
object. They are living just like us too. If you ever
decide to adopt an animal, remember that they are not
disposable. They need love and care just like we do.


If you would like to know more about Tir Na Nog you
can visit their website at www.horsesoftirnanog.org
Or you can call at 619.465.6384
Email them at horsesoftirnanog@yahoo.com