Registered Name: Indy's Lucky Prize
Born in Iowa on May 4, 2003
Sired by Lucky South out of Indy's Prize by Master Pruner
My name is Indy, though I was once known as Indy’s Lucky Prize. I was born on a pleasant morning in Iowa on May 4, 2003. My earliest memories were of gentle hands and soft voices. Back then, I thought that humans were kind, and I believed in their goodness. But somewhere along the way, that belief was shattered, replaced by a fear so deep it became a part of me.
You see, I didn’t always live the peaceful life I have now at Unbridled Sanctuary. There were dark days when I was passed from hand to hand, never knowing if I would have enough to eat or if I would see the sun again. I lost track of how many different places I was sent, but I do remember the faces – some indifferent, others cruel. Twice, I was close to a fate too terrible to imagine, nearly swept into the slaughter pipeline. The fear of that still haunts me sometimes, but I try to push those memories away.
When I arrived at Unbridled in 2019, I didn't even know who I had become. My body had learned to brace itself against pain, to freeze whenever a human approached, my muscles locking in place as if turning to stone could protect me from harm. Even the sight of a halter made my heart race. I knew what came after that – pain, fear, and the overwhelming urge to flee but with nowhere to go. My nostrils would flare wide, sucking in air like I couldn’t breathe fast enough, and my eyes would bulge as I searched for an escape.
Those who met me back then might have thought I was difficult or untrusting, but it wasn’t that. I wanted to trust; I wanted to believe that there was still kindness in the world. But my mind was so clouded by fear that I couldn’t see anything else. Every touch felt like a threat, every approach a signal to prepare for the worst. I was a prey animal, after all, and my instincts screamed at me to survive, no matter the cost.
At Unbridled, they understood me in a way I hadn’t been understood before. They didn’t force the halter on me or make demands I wasn’t ready to meet. Instead, they let me be. They gave me time, space, and something I hadn’t felt in a long time – safety. I remember the first time they let me choose. It was a small thing, really, just letting me decide if I wanted to be touched. But it was the start of something new for me.
For the first time in years, I began to feel like I had some control over my life. I learned that these humans wouldn’t hurt me, that they respected my need for distance, and that they would wait for me to come to them. Slowly, I started to let go of the fear. It didn’t happen all at once – healing takes time, especially when the wounds are so deep. But day by day, I started to relax. The first time I let someone touch me without flinching was a small victory, but it felt enormous. Each little step forward was celebrated, and that made all the difference.
There was something else, too – the other horses. They became my friends, Angie, Elle, Posey, and Toes, my family. Being with them reminds me of what it feels like to belong. We graze together, side by side, under the wide blue sky. They showed me that life didn’t have to be so scary. They live in the moment, and slowly, I have learned to do the same.
Now, at 21 years old, I am a different horse. When someone comes to me with a halter, I no longer see it as a threat. Instead, I nicker softly in greeting, knowing that I am safe, that I am loved, and that I will never be hurt again. I spend my days in peace, surrounded by friends and the people who gave me back my life. I’m no longer just surviving; I’m living.
But I’ll never forget what I went through, and I know there are others out there still trapped in the darkness I escaped. That’s why I’m so grateful for Unbridled Sanctuary and for everyone who supports it. They gave me a second chance, and they can do the same for so many others like me.
Please, if you can, help them continue this work. Your support means everything – it’s the difference between fear and freedom, between despair and hope. Together, we can create a world where no horse has to suffer like I did, where every horse can know the peace and joy I’ve found here. Thank you for being part of my journey and for helping make happy endings possible for horses like me.
smoozzles, Indy
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