People express their love of horses in different ways. I’d love to claim to be a “horsewoman.” But I’m not…at least as I would define “horsewoman”…as someone involved in the care, training and riding of horses. Though I have loved horses for as long as I can remember, I didn’t become actively involved with them until I was in my early 40’s. Since then I have taken many riding lessons and found riding thrilling…and scary. I usually felt I was going to go flying off in space and was relieved and a bit proud of myself to survive each lesson. It wasn’t the falling off that scared me…did that quite a few times and without much discomfort, other than having sand embedded in my face…but afraid of just losing my balance and being tossed to the winds. Until we moved to our ranch in 2001, I had boarded my horses and others did the care while I either took lessons or watched them eat…yes I would watch them eat as if entranced. A seasoned shoer once commented: “you just love them and want to be near them.” After my three horses (2 Thoroughbreds and an Arab) came to live here at the ranch, I learned how to care for them and realized how much pleasure that gave me. When my Thoroughbreds died of age related causes and as my law practice slowed moving towards retirement, I got the idea for Sky Ranch..a sanctuary for older or unwanted horses. So being a horse caregiver is my calling. I get some bittersweet feelings at times watching videos of horsewomen galloping on the beach or achieving amazing athletic things while partnering with their horses…but that’s not me. There are many ways to support and enjoy these remarkable creatures. Sky Ranch Sanctuary gives me a chance to do it my way.