Giving horses a second chance in Cloverdale

The Cinderella story of two mares and a stallion is sure to warm the heart of any horse lover. Three Cloverdale friends have stepped in to save Hope, Willow and Beau from auction and, perhaps even the slaughterhouse.

As a young girl growing up in Southern California, 51-year-old Tina Styles visualized living on a ranch and having horses. She worked in the hospitality industry, managed property and styled until becoming a full-time mother to Sam, but when her son left for college, she was ready to find a horse.

Wanting to make a wise and informed decision, she enlisted the help of friends Libby Nelson, 55, who boards horses on her Dutcher Creek property, and Renee Raymond, 43, who boards two of her own horses on Nelson’s property.

Late last spring, Raymond offered to help a man who was overwhelmed with caring for 15 horses on his own.

“When we first got to his place, we saw two emaciated-looking paint mares, Hope and Willow. The owner said the girls were sick, and that’s why they were so thin. Then I saw Beau, his head sticking out of a dark stall, three feet deep in poo.”

Styles’ initial reaction was one of shock, sadness and a strong determination to help them recover and find new homes.

The owner was planning to take them to auction but, after some discussion, agreed to sign the horses over to the three women for $1 each.

“I started going over and feeding extra food twice a day for about six weeks before we actually took them,” said Styles. “Miraculously, the two ‘sick girls’ started gaining weight.”

Within a week of being moved to Nelson’s facility, they allowed themselves to be brushed.

Styles’ in-laws had some pipe rail stalls stored at their place, complete with written assembly instructions. That was the beginning of Three Horses and Three Women.

“Libby, Renee and I made a commitment to feed and work with these horses for at least one year, not really knowing what that meant,” Styles said. “Fortunately, even though they were basically wild horses with no prior training or halter experience, they were calm, happy and approachable.”

The women share the responsibilities - four hours of care each day - and split the $500 a month expenses three ways. The first month was the most expensive, with tack, supplies, training, vet exams, shots, grooming and Beau’s gelding.

Each horse has its own personality but all are personable, she said. They crave brushing, attention and affection.

“My husband, Joe, will sit in a chair, and they come over and try to sit in his lap,” Styles said with a laugh.

Three-year-old Hope is the youngest and smallest horse. She easily took to walking on a lead line and didn’t balk when they first saddled her. Styles describes her as a little mom, saying she’s a “pleaser” and probably a great therapy horse.

Willow, who is about 4, is the larger of the two and more of an alpha mare. She is a little intimidating, but interested in what everyone is doing. “Somebody who put work into her would have an amazing horse,” says Styles.

Anna Levinger of Red’s Riding School in Healdsburg evaluated Willow and has agreed to provide her with at least four weeks of training.

Styles has fallen in love with Beau and hopes to keep him. Originally named Bud, he was renamed in honor of John Wayne’s horse in the movie “True Grit.”

Previously kept in a small, dark stall, he is sensitive to sudden movement. Styles describes him as observant and tolerant, almost Zenlike, acting calmly in spite of his fight mentality.

“When I first started feeding him, he didn’t know what a carrot was,” she said. “Apparently he had never had any treats. Now that he has figured it out, he totally loves carrots.”

As Nelson says, the timing was perfect for this to happen.

“I had the space, Renee had the know-how and Tina had the energy, drive and network connections to see this through. We didn’t go looking for three horses that desperately needed our help,” she said, “but I don’t think we could have asked for a more positive experience.”

Follow their story on FaceBook at Three Ladies and their Horses.

Contact Cloverdale Towns Correspondent Mary Jo Winter at Cloverdale.Towns@gmail.com.