Maverik, now to be known as Traveller is getting the life he so desperately needed and deserved thanks to SkyDog Sanctuary. Thanks to Mike for working with him and realizing that the hardships he endured prior to coming to Mike's were imprinted so deeply that the only thing that would heal this horse was to be a horse among horses. We are very grateful that SkyDog opened their hearts and sanctuary to allow Maverik/Traveller to be the best he can be in the way he knows how. To be a horse. He leaves today, 8/27/2020 to LIVE his life.

From Skydog:  What a story he could tell, some of which we will never know. Here is what we can tell you - this boy was spotted for months living wild in the Santa Ana river bed. He survived dog attacks, wildfire and countless attempts to chase and rope him. He became a curiosity on social media as sightings of him would be brief before he galloped off across a golf course or into the thick brush. 

As he started to deteriorate health wise a decision was made by Animal Control to catch him and a bait trap was set up and finally he was captured. He was taken in by a good local rescue called TIER who enlisted the help of a horseman who had a lot of mustang experience. 

What he discovered was horrifying - cigarette burns to his body, rope burns from tripping on his legs, this horse had been horribly abused and tormented and now was traumatized by any kind of human contact. The trainer said that the terror in his eyes was a direct result of what he had gone through at the hands of humans. 

So he took it slow and gentle but after months realized that this boy needed sanctuary and to run free as he had for months. That was the life he wanted and could tolerate. And so we have been asked to take him and are happy to. 

We are fundraising for this horse who wants to be wild. He isn’t officially a mustang but he has earned the right to be free. 

There is so much debate about what horses “should” be in a sanctuary and that is entirely the decision of the individual sanctuary. BUT I have never seen a more worthy candidate who needs exactly what we have to offer. 

Who knows what horrors he escaped and ran from - I don’t want to imagine. Let’s just bring him home and let him be a horse again. He deserves that. 

So Mr Traveller we can’t wait to meet you and look into your eyes and tell you it’s going to be alright now. And that’s a promise we can keep.

To donate for this boys lifetime care or to sponsor him, please go to 

www.skydogranch.org/donate 

Some links to Traveller’s previous life and story:

https://www.pe.com/2019/12/15/elusive-santa-ana-river-bottom-horse-finally-penned-in-riverside/amp/

https://patch.com/california/lakeelsinore-wildomar/elusive-wild-horse-finally-captured-santa-ana-river-bottom

https://youtu.be/qve36Zxt0rc

From Mike W. who graciously consented to work with Maverik once AC agreed to let TIER have him.

From Mike W. who graciously consented to work with Maverik once AC agreed to let TIER have him.

So it begins.  Maverik, the little horse that ran loose in the Santa Ana Riverbed for months will be embarking on a new adventure.  Mike W. who will be working with him to help him become the best he can be, has recently provided Maverik with a new workplace/roundpen.  Maverik seems to be up for the challenge.  

Stay safe, have fun, learn a bunch from each other.  Game On!

From Mike:  Guess what I'm going to be doing during the shutdown.....

Time to get Maverik working.

Maverik, the horse that had been wandering the Santa Ana riverbed for months and released by Animal Control to TIER, is slowly progressing.  Mike took a break to attend a 3 week Ken McNab horse training certification program Wyoming.  He earned Journeyman status. Congratulations MIKE!  Mike is not working on any kind of timeframe for Maverik. 

12/30/19

Big change in just 10 days as Maverik is no longer running to the other side of the pen when I enter to feed, water and cleanup. I sat with him today for 45 minutes, reading a magazine and sipping coffee. Maverik walked over to his feed bin which was 15-20 feet away from me. He was cautious but comfortable. He made that trip 6-8 times while I was there. I did have a lady with her young children approach the pen so that I could see his reaction. Maverik had no desire to deal with them as displayed when he immediately retreated to the other side of the pen.

1/1/2020

I sat in the round pen with Maverik while he was eating. My presence didn’t bother him as much as previously noted. I was careful not to push him at all or be invasive.

1/4/2020

We picked up the 8x24 cover and installed it over the new corral, hooked up the water tank.

1/5/2020

Three of us moved Maverik to his new home. He was not anxious to get into the trailer, but with slow, methodical movement, and two light weight panels, we created a short alley way and were able to guide him easily. Unloading was a breeze. The entire process took maybe 10 minutes. After introducing him to the corral, I noticed that his anxiety level dropped significantly. He wasn’t as edgy as he was in the round pen. He no longer runs away from me when I feed. He stands quietly and waits for me to throw the feed. He is acceptive of his new neighbor but they’re not buddies…just neighbors. He isn’t as anxious to get away from me when I enter his corral but then I pay him no attention. I take care of business. He moves quietly.

2 days of HARD work by 1 man with a huge heart in preparation for a special boy's arrival.  Organizing material & tools needed, Leveling ground, setting up 6 rail 24 ft. long Heavy Duty panels and gate (those things weigh a bunch!), making sure connections are tight, level and the pen is sturdy, placing heavy railroad ties around the perimeter, and adding a lot of pine fines.  Those of you who have set up a corral before know this isn't a quick/easy task for one person.  Especially when you have other Life things going on.  Visiting the special boy to get a "feel" for him, arranging time for pickup, hook up the trailer hoping all goes well with loading and bring the new boy to his carefully constructed new home.  

Today, when Mike steps toward the pen where Maverik is now staying he will begin establishing mutual respect; work with Maverik's instincts, not against them; respect a horse’s right to be a horse.  Listening to him getting an idea of what's going on inside him. Comforting the mind and soul, establishing unity, helping him USE his mind to figure things out, making the right thing easy, recognizing his right to protect himself, seeing from his point of view.  Helping and supporting him. 

The healing starts today.  And so, the Journey begins. 

Maverik is going to be in Mike's good hands sometime Wednesday!  Yay!  Mike just called after his visit with him and said he is very, very scared.  Maybe around 6-7 years old (just a guess) and little.  Around 14 - 14.1 hands.  

Mike said that Maverik was so frightened that he had to walk away as emotions overwhelmed him.  People did that to him.  Not the shelter folks, but somewhere/sometime before he ended up in the riverbed. Mike spent some time with him and Maverik did turn and face him.  A good sign.

Some scarring on his legs that is probably from all the brush and he has quite a few burrs in his mane/tail/coat.  He is in good weight/condition, his feet look good. Won't know more until Mike gets him home and can spend time with him.

Maverik, you will be cared for, loved and safe!

11/15/2019 TIER was contacted by a gentleman who was walking his dog at the Santa Ana riverbed.  He had seen a loose horse that was thin and lying down and asked if we could help.  

(Picture is a bit grainy)  TIER contacted a good friend in the area known for his horse handling skills.  Mike had worked with some abused mustangs at TIER several years ago, is involved with Back Country Horsemen-Santa Ana River Unit, Mounted Posse, etc.  He is a trusted and talented horseman who agreed to go into the Santa Ana Riverbed and see if he might be able to help the horse.

Mike headed down with another horseman on foot, found his bed down spot, figured out his general habits, found his feed spot, tracked him for a few miles.  As soon as they got close to the horse he took off running.  Ended up running across a golf course and then was out of sight.  The horse did not appear to be lame or starving.  The terrain is rather rough and it would have most likely taken several horse savvy people on horseback many hours and miles to TRY to catch the horse.  Due to terrain, it would be difficult for horses and riders.

A month later, the horse was lured into a temporary corral set up behind an irrigation/lighting company.  The workers saw the horse go into the corral and promptly shut the gate.  Animal Control was notified and they picked him up (ran him into the trailer because nobody was going to try to get a halter on him!) and transported to Riverside County Department of Animal Services facility in Jurupa Valley.  

There had been many postings about this horse on social media.  He survived the fire that swept through that area not long ago. People were leaving feed for him as was Riverside Animal Services.  TIER was notified of his capture on 12/14/2019 via a news article and contacted Mike.  Mike agreed to take on the handling of this horse whom we have named MAVERIK if Animal Services agreed to  place him with TIER.  

(12/16/2019 Maverik at shelter)

12/16/2019:  Mike will be visiting this boy at the shelter today to see just how wild and crazy he may be.  It is our hope that he's not too untamed and can be handled so that Mike can get him out of the shelter in a few days, once a pen has been set up, and start working with him after he settles down. 

IF we are able to get Maverik from the shelter to Mike's, he will eventually need to see the vet, farrier and perhaps the dentist once he has been evaluated and can be handled safely.  Who knows? He may just be a big puppy dog of a horse that was enjoying his freedom along the river.  Wouldn't that be nice?