Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary: Animal Rescue for Unwanted Animals

I recently came upon a book titled The Horses of Proud Spirit, a memoir by Melanie Sue Bowles about her experiences with starting an award-winning facility for abandoned and neglected horses. Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary is one of the longest running and most successful horse sanctuaries in the United States. With the help of her husband Jim, Melanie founded the sanctuary 20 years ago, and the Bowles’ duo has intervened to help more than 400 horses, in addition to donkeys and dogs in need.

Melanie’s heartwarming and remarkable animal rescue stories inspired me to visit the 320-acre sanctuary in Arkansas, where the rescued animals live out their lives in peace.

Proud Spirit: Beginnings

The idea for the horse sanctuary all began with Melanie's first horse, Cody. Right after getting married, Melanie and Jim moved to a house with five acres in Florida where they worked as professional firefighters. Melanie, who knew nothing about horses, developed a fascination with her neighbors’ horses. It was when she began her search to buy a horse (Cody) that she learned about the horrible abuses that go on in the equine world. She saw and heard about horses that were overworked, kept for endless hours in dark stalls, starved and (even worse) destroyed after they’ve worked their entire lives.  

Melanie’s first horse Cody turned out to be a difficult Thoroughbred teenager. Many experts and vets advised her to get rid of Cody when she wouldn’t let Melanie ride her. Cody was ridden most of her life, her feet and teeth were in horrible shape and she suffered from mouth ulcers. After helping Cody recover her health, Melanie educated herself by reading books and talking to horse people.

She realized she needed to communicate with Cody in a way she’d understand. Horses are social herd animals and have a pecking order. One day, to get Cody to move out of her way, Melanie imitated a dominant horse by walking steadily with her arms tight by her side and thrusting her chin towards Cody. This time Cody responded and things began to change for the better. But Melanie lost interest in riding. Seeing how joyful it was to help this previously abused horse become vibrant and healthy again, she set out to help other horses.

Melanie never hesitated to aid a horse in need--whether it was a retired racehorse, a miniature horse who suffered at the hands of an abusive owner, or an emaciated one near death. The animals recover under her diligent care, and thrive at the horse sanctuary where they form bonds in the comfort of the herd and roam freely.  

As their herd grew, Melanie and Jim packed up their belongings and their animal friends and moved from Florida to Arkansas in search of wide-open spaces.

Horses of Proud Spirit

“Somewhere…somewhere in times' own space, there must be some sweet pastured place, where creeks sing on and tall trees grow, somewhere where forgotten horses can go…” reads a sign at the entrance to Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary.

The rolling hills and the sparkling lake with the Ouachita Mountains on the horizon are the picturesque playing grounds for the 58 horses and donkeys of Malanie's sanctuary. The herd, frolicking under the sun or congregated around the big oak tree near the house every morning, is a magnificent sight to behold.

“There are no pony rides here”, said Melanie, looking over her happy herd. “They’ve given enough”.

“Go ahead, let him smell you,” Melanie suggested as I neared a horse named Tuxedo. He is a Standardbred off-the-track who found a safe haven at Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary after escaping his fate of being put down due to an injured tendon that made him unfit to compete. I touched his soft nose, and ran my hand along his muscular neck, surprised at how smooth his skin felt. Tux gracefully turned his giant head toward me with his forelock waving in the wind. My heart began to race, but I knew this gentle horse wouldn’t hurt me. He simply liked the attention.

Then Biscuit, an adorable donkey with a smooth snout, walked over, and proceeded to smell my shirt. I chuckled as I pet him too, blessed to be around these beautiful creatures.

Jim spread out hay in the distance, and all the horses trotted towards it with their tails swinging.

“Look at the scars on this guy’s lower legs,” Melanie pointed me towards a gray horse chomping away. I was told that pin-firing and nerving (the injection of acid to numb injured areas) was used so horses don’t feel pain and could continue running. I am glad he no longer suffers.

Dogs of Proud Spirit

Over the years, Melanie and Jim have also opened their hearts and doors to numerous dogs, and have helped place over a dozen with loving families. I read their stories in the endearing and often hilarious The Dogs of Proud Spirit, and I was thrilled to be meeting them.

“There is always a dog at your feet,” said Jim as I maneuvered my way around their living room where 13 dogs of all sizes and breeds sprawl over on the couches, under chairs, and on top of cushions.

Gunner, a mixed Corgi breed who spent his first two years locked up; the beagle mix sisters Trixie, Daisy and Trudi who were found by the side of road as puppies; sweet Bessie who was rescued from an overcrowded shelter; and the fluffball purebred Corgis, with their blue and brown eyes, destined to be euthanized or spend their lives in shelters because they didn’t meet breed standards, are all now a part of the Bowles’ family. There is plenty of love to go around at this sanctuary.

Rescue

One morning during my visit, Melanie heard of some starving horses in a neighboring town, so we set out with hay in the back of the truck. The open landscape was dotted with cattle and horse breeding farms.

“So many breeders out there, when the existing horses aren’t taken care of...” sighed Melanie.

Upon arrival, we were in shock. The 11 horses had nothing to eat. A muddy watering hole was used for drinking. Two mares looked pregnant, and one had an infected leg.

Worse was seeing two severely emaciated dogs covered in mange that needed immediate medical attention.

“How could anyone do this?” I wondered, fighting tears. Their owner was nowhere to be found. Melanie acted fast and placed calls to authorities and concerned friends to get help to these neglected animals.

That evening, as we looked out to the pastures of Proud Spirit, I asked Melanie how she stays calm and continues her rescue work despite witnessing so much animal cruelty.

“I survived for 20 years in the trenches because I accept that there will always be wrongdoing," she said. "Instead of wondering why it happens, I put my energy into making things right for the lives I'm able to touch and rejoicing the successes. We focus on ‘right now’... this horse is here, and he is safe and his future is secure.”

I am forever changed after my time with these amazing individuals who have dedicated their lives to animal rescue and sacrificed so much for the sake of animals.

The world needs more of such saints.  

How You Can Help

• Purchase Melanie Sue Bowles’ books The Horses of Proud Spirit, Hoof Prints: More Stories from Proud Spirit and The Dogs of Proud Spirit, available wherever books are sold. All proceeds go towards the horse sanctuary.  
• Visit www.Horsesofproudspirit.comto learn more and make a donation.  
• Share and spread the word.