Peruvian Paso Horse

Changing the lives of discarded horses

Beth Keenan has made a place for these horses on her Fruitland Mesa ranch. On a recent visit, volunteers George Brauneis, Lacie Pipher and Qwik Huff worked with different horses in different ways. No one method can be used with every horse. Training is individualized.

One of the remarkable facts about that trio of volunteers is how they have achieved so much with the horses even though they haven't been with Spirit Wind for that many years.

Both George Brauneis and Qwik Huff volunteered for a couple of years, but it was just this past June that both began working with the horses as trainers. They answered Keenan's call when Lacie Pipher, who has worked for two years as the head trainer, had to cut back on some of her volunteering due to her pregnancy.

Lacie Pipher was literally riding on horses before she could walk. Keenan says Pipher is the one to whom they all go to ask how to handle good but difficult horses.

George Brauneis also grew up with horses and has a special way with them. As a matter of fact, all three trainers have special bonds with the horses they work with.

Right now there are 14 horses on the property with another horse belonging to Keenan.

Sassie, Sadie and Blaze are among the horses ready for adoption. They are at different levels in their training. Which of the horses will be adopted is based upon the skill levels of the one wanting to adopt them.

"The whole idea of the training program is to take them up to a point where they'll be more desirable to a lot of different people," Keenan says. They have ones that have just been weaned to ones ready for green pastures and retirement.

Roberto is a rescued pony who loves absolutely everyone. He serves as the public relations guy for Spirit Wind. Little kids ride Roberto. Keenan says Roberto is valuable because people can hug him.

The length of time varies for training a horse and making it adoptable. Some bounce back. Some are scarred for life. Each trainer must have a vast supply of patience. One horse which had been hit repeatedly by his drug addict owner, even after slow, patient training, still takes a bit only after a quarter of an hour of gentle speaking and coaxing. But, that is quite an accomplishment for the horse with all the trauma it has endured.

The Peruvian Paso Horse | One Per Day | On The Road Project

Anibal H. Reimondez is a professional photographer and filmmaker from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and an avid traveler. As he moves around the world, he shares his experiences and his unique vision – with photos, videos and also with information about the various places he has visited. He hopes that this information will be useful to others, and that it will inspire others to make their own travel adventures. Happy travels… see you On the Road!

Which Horse of Course

The Horse

The complete idiot's guide to horses

Horses, A Guide to Selection, Care and Enjoyment

Storey's horse-lover's encyclopedia, an English & Western A-to-Z guide