Animal Whisperer

There is a 40 acre area outside Kingman Arizona that is a magnet for the animals that need help and love.  It happens to be my friend’s ranch that has become a sanctuary for horses, and other animals both domestic and wild.   This is a no kill zone for all that range in the area.  The one exception is the rattle snakes that sometimes get into the barn or the protected area for the cats.

Horseback riding would be perfect if one had the time with all the feeding, maintenance, and just all around daily chores.  The very special moments do occur when one can get on the back of these gentle giants that have been saved from death.  Yes, some of the horses were badly treated but got the second chance at a spoiled life and they somehow know it.

The vastness of the area makes it a perfect place for the trail riding experience, with that said the organized events are centered on the ranch.

I have helped with the cleaning of the hooves, cleaning the stalls, walking the horses to the corrals, just whatever I can do to help. 

There seems to be not enough time in the day for all the chores.  Then bending, shoveling, twisting, lifting is a daily occurrence.  The body is just worn out, but it has to be done the next day, and on and on.

The pain; lower back pain, stiff neck pain, shoulder pain, and the combination of stiff neck with shoulder pain are everyday.  The fact of the matter is my friend and I are not the young adults and the recuperating time is not overnight.

I help out in the winter months and early spring, the weather is just too uncomfortable in the summer months.  It is such a pleasure to use a hot pack with moist heat for the lower back pain relief.  Sciatica pain relief; without the moist heat I would not be able to endure the pain.  The early morning chores with the temperature not quite 28 degrees  and the winds blowing make it not the nicest time for the body to be functioning, but on one must.  Heated wraps inside my jacket, resting above my hips, warm, moist and so comfortable to allow the muscles to loosen up and stay loose while the bending and stretching begins. 

Summer time is not my favorite time to be in the upper dessert.  The chores continue no matter what season.  The same pack that is used in the winter for heat is stored in the freezer and it can be used cold.  The rice does not bind up and what a relief, cold, not bone chilling cold, but comfortable to keep from overheating.