HOOF PRINTS

More stories from Proud Spirit, by Melanie Sue Bowles. Hardcover, 231pp, RRP $US19.95. Pineapple Press, available here.

September 10, 2008

Melanie Bowles is a woman on a mission to give unwanted and abused horses the respect and dignity they deserve. Since about the mid 1980s, she and her husband Jim, have been giving their all to horses who need help.

The couple, retired Florida firefighters, take in horses who have been abused, neglected or who are considered too old to be useful any more by their owners. Some have been seized by law enforcement, others found with grave injuries or almost starved to death, and others have been simply handed over to Proud Spirit. Some need more help than others.

Melanie's favourite motto is: "The Purpose of Life is to Live a Life of Purpose", and looking after old, unwanted and abused horses has became her purpose.

Melanie and Ranger Jim and Cocoa

Too many 'horse people' forget (or maybe don't realise?) that the horse is an intelligent, feeling creature, and deserving of respect and care - especially as they age and after serving man (or woman) for many years. But often once a horse suddenly becomes lame, unprofitable, or is simply not wanted it is cast aside.

'Hoof Prints' tells the story of the operation's move - complete with 40 horses - from the state of Florida to a new 320 acre property in Arkansas, and the stories of some of the horses who come to live at Proud Spirit. Only the hard-hearted will not shed a tear at some of the desperate stories of the mistreated and neglected horses that cross the path of Melanie and Jim.

The sanctuary is one of the oldest operations of its type in the United States. Being privately run, the sanctuary is self-funded (proceeds from this book, and the previous volume, "The Horses of Proud Spirit", are naturally earmarked for caring for the horses), but donations are gratefully received.

Proud Spirit does not breed any foals - although several have been born on the property after the lucky rescue of their mums - and once a horse goes to live at Proud Spirit, that's where they stay. There are no rehoming or adoption programmes - and hence no chance of a horse going through any abuse any more.

Proud Spirit is a place where horses are, quite simply, allowed to be horses.

ISBN: 978-1-56164-412-4

About the author:

Melanie Sue Bowles and her husband, Jim, started Proud Spirit with one horse on only five acres of land almost 18 years ago. Today, it is one of the longest existing privately run sanctuaries in the United States. Over the years it have evolved into an award-winning 320 acre facility, currently caring for 63 rescued horses. During this time they have intervened on behalf of nearly 200 horses in need.
Proud Spirit is a 501c3 non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible.