I’m Tessie, a mare who has known both hardship and the warmth of a new beginning. Today, I stand in the soft embrace of Unbridled Sanctuary, but my journey here was long, and not without its struggles. By my side is my daughter, Grace—a living miracle who symbolizes everything I’ve fought for and everything I’ve found in this place.
For twelve years, my life was not my own. I served in an Amish community, where I was seen only as a tool, my value measured by the work I could do. Day after day, I pulled heavy loads, the harness cutting into my skin, my hooves pounding the hard roads with no respite. When the work was done, I was tethered in a standing stall so narrow that I couldn’t even turn around or lie down to rest. The deep sleep that comes only when a horse can stretch out and relax was something I could only dream of. As I grew older and my strength began to fade, I wasn’t met with compassion, but with indifference. I was discarded, taken to an auction, and sold by the pound, like an old, worn-out machine.
The auction house was a chaotic, frightening place. I remember standing still amidst the noise, trying to make sense of the world around me. My heart was heavy with sorrow, the weight of years of service hanging over me like a dark cloud. But even in that moment of despair, a small flicker of hope kept burning within me. Could there be someone out there who would see past my exhaustion and age, who might recognize the spirit still glowing beneath the surface?
On October 22nd, 2023, my life took a turn I never expected. The sound of the auctioneer’s gavel marked the moment when everything changed. Unbridled Sanctuary won the bid for me, and my future was about to be rewritten. I didn’t know what to expect as I cautiously walked beside my new human friend, but something deep inside told me to trust this new beginning. I stepped onto the trailer, unsure but hopeful.
When I arrived at Unbridled, I was wary. My ears pinned back, my eyes were sharp with suspicion, and my body was tense. I had survived by keeping my guard up, by learning to trust no one. I didn’t know how to relax, how to accept kindness. The cruelty I had faced left me scarred, both inside and out, and I was quick to react defensively, always ready to protect myself from further harm.
The people at Unbridled were patient with me, though. They gave me the time and space I needed to heal. Slowly, I began to let go of my past, to understand that this place was different. Here, I was not just a tool or a commodity—I was a living being, worthy of care and love.
Little did anyone know that I carried a secret within me—a precious, growing life. On March 9th, my behavior changed, and the humans noticed. When they removed my thick winter blanket, they saw the unmistakable signs of pregnancy. They quickly moved me to a special stall with deep bedding and my own paddock, keeping a close eye on me as I prepared for the arrival of my foal.
In the stillness of the early morning on April 9th, 2024, I began to feel the first signs that my foal was ready to be born. I circled my stall, pawing the ground and adjusting my body as I prepared to give birth. By 4:00 a.m., my water broke, and I knew it was time. Despite my initial hesitation, I allowed the human who had been watching over me to help, to be there as my midwife in this sacred moment.
Two tiny hooves appeared first, one white and one dark, followed by a small nose. With all the strength I had, I brought my foal into the world. As she emerged, I felt a deep, instinctual connection—a bond that had been forming for nearly a year. I had nurtured her from within, protecting her from all the pain and hardship I had endured. Now, as I licked and nuzzled her, guiding her to my milk, I felt a love so pure and strong that it washed away the darkness of my past.
My daughter, Grace, opened her eyes and looked up at me, and in that moment, I knew that everything I had been through was worth it. She is my heart, my joy, and my reason for living. Despite all the cruelty I’ve faced, my capacity for love remains undiminished. I am fiercely protective of Grace, shielding her from any uncertainty with a steadfastness born of deep love.
Our bond is unbreakable, a testament to the power of a mother’s love. Grace’s birth was a miracle, and her life is a gift—a gift of grace that has healed my soul. Together, we are safe, cherished, and finally free from the shadows of our past.
Here at Unbridled, we have found not just a sanctuary, but a home. It is a place where we are loved, where we are allowed to be ourselves, and where we can live our lives in peace. I am Tessie, and this is my daughter, Grace. Our journey has not been easy, but it has led us to a place of safety, where we can rest, heal, and be together. We are grateful for this life, and for the love that surrounds us every day.
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