We have a very special announcement that we want to share with you! On April 29, at 10:45pm, we welcomed a new foal into the world!
Remember Maia, our newest Ambassador featured in the Spring Newsletter? Well, one more very special thing about Maia… she was carrying a little surprise in her belly!
At 13 years old, Maia likely had several foals in the wild and her experience with motherhood is apparent as she immediately embodied the nurturing, maternal qualities with her new foal. The spunky filly stays very close by her momma’s side!
Within 10 minutes of birth, this strong little filly was standing, walking, and nursing successfully. Today, just a couple days old, she enjoys running up and down the hills, and even jumping over natural obstacles in the pasture. She is full of life and very healthy!
If we had not saved Maia, she would have foaled in a BLM holding facility where both she and the filly would remain in limited-sized drylots for several months. At GEMS, we are proud to give the mare and foal clean, safe, uncrowded space to give birth and grow.
Maia and the filly get turned out to the large front pasture every day for several hours where Maia can claim the “social distancing” that makes her feel most comfortable for now, and the foal can stretch her legs and develop her mind, body, and soul in a natural environment.
Though it is unfortunate that Maia isn’t running in the wild with her new foal right now, we are giving her a free lifestyle to raise her final foal. The difference between being in the wild and being at GEMS?
At GEMS, Maia will never have to worry about where to find her next meal. She always has free choice quality hay, in addition to grazing on fresh grass every day.
At GEMS, Maia will never have to compete for water, or travel miles and miles only to find the water hole is dry. She always has fresh, clean water available to her.
At GEMS, Maia will never have to worry about predators threatening her newborn foal. Each night, Maia and baby come into their safe paddock with shelter and comfort.
At GEMS, Maia and her baby receive dental care, deworming, and vaccinations to ensure their longterm health and happiness.
And most importantly, Maia and her foal will never have to worry about undergoing the stress of capture and displacement ever again.
Forever safe. Forever loved.
Thank you to all of our supporters! We are able to provide excellent care to these horses because you believe in our mission. If you would like to help support Maia, her foal, and others like them, please consider donating to GEMS so we can continue to give wild horses and opportunity and a voice!
Love,
The GEMS team
#GivingTuesdayNow
The Community First Foundation has developed a campaign to help nonprofits in need as a response to the global pandemic situation.
#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.
Let’s come together to drive a spike of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for Colorado communities and nonprofits.
We are so grateful for the generous support folks contribute each year on Giving Tuesday… so if you are able, please extend that support to Giving Tuesday Now to assist us with lost revenue due to COVID-19.
In case you missed it in the Spring Newsletter…
Let me introduce you to our newest Ambassador in training… Maia
This special mare was another that local advocates alerted us to at the Onaqui Mountain Adoption Event … and we are so glad they did!
At 13 years old, this gal has lived through a lot! But since September, she was rounded up, separated from her family, lost her eye from an injury in the pens, then was branded with the big U because of her age… determining her as most likely to be sent directly to long term holding if she was not adopted at that first adoption event.
We purchased her for $25 and she is here to prove everyone wrong. She is bold, curious, and wants so badly to connect with people. She is also beautiful, tall, and strong!
We have given her the name – Maia. In Roman Mythology, Maia was the incarnation of the earth mother and goddess of spring and rebirth. We thought this name honored her strength and perseverance as a mother of many foals over the years, a senior member of her herd, and one who will be reborn from adversity.
Maia will be a permanent ambassador here at GEMS to help show people how incredible the “Unwanted” Mustangs can be. So many are overlooked because of their age, or because they are mares, or because of some kind of “disability”. We will honor Maia in her uniqueness and allow her authentic self to shine.
Maia is coming along so well in her training in such a short period of time. In the last week, she has turned the corner and developed a beautiful trust in Stephanie. While a week ago she was still nervous to be approached, today she is running to Stephanie at liberty and leading all over the property!
This kind of transformation from a fearful, forgotten Mustang into a willing and confident partner is exactly why we do what we do!
If you are inspired by the stories we’ve shared in this newsletter, please consider making a donation to the horses’ care and training.
Want to make a bigger impact?
Set your donation to “recurring” to automatically donate each month.
We pay nothing to executive salaries, so you can be sure that every dollar goes directly to the care of Mustangs like Maia and her foal.
Our address:
42132 Ridge Road
Deer Trail, CO 80105
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