For years, I searched and dreamed of adopting/rescuing a living legend & I received my hearts desire on November 1st 2007 from a wonderful woman, Helen Meridith.  I had already asked an 83-year-old friend of mine to help me with this horse since he’s worked with horses all his life and he said yes!

Then I had to convince my husband Troy of 17 years that this would be great thing.  We do live in a neighbor hood & my only experience with horses was  with an already trained horse, named Chief,  that I had as a young girl. To explain to you what adopting Koda has meant to me from the beginning I first have to tell you what a tremendous amount of healing he has done for not just me but my husband as well.  “Koda” means “friend” in Sioux.  He is much more than our friend.  He is part of our family.  Koda’s new nickname is “trouble”.  He learned to open the latch on the horse trailer door to help himself to the hay.  He likes to walk up the stairs and open the house door.  Koda came from Manitoba Canada.  He was much smaller then we all had expected & he was very scared.  A nice couple had also adopted one and was kind enough to pick up Koda, bring him across the border and deliver him to the stable.  We are very grateful for their help. 

I had not seen Koda’s face before he arrived.  When I was trying to choose which one to adopt I saw one baby that all you could see was 1/3 of its hind end and I thought to myself  “This one won’t get adopted, no one can see its face”.  Thank you Helen and all those involved in the PMU Rescue Program.  I encourage anyone looking for a horse to give one of the PMU horses a chance at the life they each deserve.

KODA

Oh how I remember

That first day of November

My four legged heaven

In 2007

Searching and longing

Year after year

Why can’t I buy one?

And bring him right here

There are some issues

I guess you could say

We don’t have a barn

And we don’t have any hay

With the help of an elder

And a yes from my man

I picked out my baby

And started to plan

Up in the morning

Out at first light

Will it all work?

Will it be right?

The trailer door opened

Out came 8D

Tiny and tired

Scared to be free

Two years have now passed

He has helped me heal

He understands my thoughts

He knows how I feel

He’s learned to open doors

He walks up the stairs

His nickname is “trouble”

I don’t think he cares

All horses are precious

They give what we can’t see

I’m grateful and honored

To have Koda with me

Laura Torgeson

UPF GRADUATE

KODA

BALE-OUT NEEDED: EVERY $10 DONATED = ONE BALE OF HAY