By Erica Francia

I'll never forget that summer afternoon, prepping rescue ponies to be ambassadors at the local fair, when SHEW founder, Tina Snyder, approached me about a rescue call she received. During their years together as instructor and student, my daughter, Brielle, and Coach Tina had often discussed Brielle's dream of doing a Mustang Makeover. The time had actually come when a wild mustang was in need of rescue! Tina asked me if Brielle would be willing to give up all other sports or activities and commit to 5-6 days per week of training, because that's what it would take to train a wild one. I didn't even have to ask her; I knew. Plus, Tina wanted to surprise Brielle, as the need was urgent and the mustang would be coming the very next day!

Our journey started in the quiet, summer mornings of quarantine care. Brielle with her lead rope and dreams, carefully and quietly providing food, water, hay, a clean stall and, eventually, gentle grooming for Koda (short in Native American for "friend" or "ally); me with my coffee and nerves (I had listened to podcasts warning about the "flight or fight" and reactive nature of mustangs).

Soon, we were dreaming of songs and choreography for Rescued to Stardom, a 90 day training competition at Horse World Expo in Harrisburg, PA. It seemed like a no-brainer; exposure for the mustang breed and for SHEW, the rescue where we trained and volunteered. We were taken aback, at first, when SHEW decided a professional trainer would be the better choice, than a child, with a green mustang, in such a large and loud arena. (Later, we would fully understand).  Brielle and Koda had already built quite the bond.  Along with our extended family, flights, tickets and hotel rooms were booked, with great anticipation of Koda's Rescued to Stardom Debut. As the challenge progressed and there were setbacks with Koda's training, including weeks off due to his trainer's illness, SHEW decided it best for Koda's future and everyone's safety to pull him from the competition. 

During that time, we had experienced the traumatic loss of my father, Brielle's beloved grandfather, to pancreatic cancer. With deep sympathy and compassion, Tina did not want Brielle to also suffer the loss of Koda during this time, so home he came and stayed to continue his training at Safe Haven. Weather permitting, I'd sit in the car loop at Brielle's school, 5 days per week, 30+ minutes  per day, to secure a spot at the front of the line, and off we'd go to work with Koda each day after school. 

Five months later, with tears in my eyes, I came to Tina with the news that we bought a new house and would be moving quite a distance away. I committed to continue bringing Brielle back to ride and train at Safe Haven, but could no longer keep our commitment of 5-6 days per week. Tina, being more realistic than myself, knew that this schedule would not be maintainable. She decided it was time to send Koda away again for professional, under saddle training, so that he could progress, while we were consumed with selling and moving our home. She advised me on the specifics of the type of farm that I should look for, closer to our new home, for Koda and Brielle. It was Tina herself that would do the research and find the next farm for us. Kari Hall, of Rozell Equestrian, had started untouched mustangs; brought them through second level dressage; and had even competed at the American Eventing Championships at Training level upon one of her favorite mustangs. With Koda's unique training needs in mind, we began the process of transitioning to a new farm. For those of you who know the significant time spent at a horse farm, and the family and relationships built there, you can appreciate what a big change this was for us. 

While we transitioned homes/schools/farms etc, Koda continued his offsite training and it was with this trainer, Mark, when the true magic happened. Even though Mark knew Koda had already had two under saddle traumatic events before Mark, a few bucks with Mark, and had never fully quieted down on the ground, Mark taught us that he would have to trust Koda, before he could expect Koda to trust him. He taught us how he redirected Koda's energy in the saddle, instead of telling him "no," something very important when dealing with a young, green horse who is scared and lacks confidence. We were AMAZED at what Mark accomplished under saddle with Koda, and how we saw Koda gaining confidence, trust and the ability to think, instead of overreact, through unfamiliar situations. Finally, Brielle was able to get back in the saddle on Koda, and Mark invited new trainer Kari to come ride Koda with him, both of which gave all of us the confidence to start making plans to bring Koda "Home for the Holidays."

Throughout this journey, Koda had three professional trainers and is now getting to know his fourth. Each of them made time in their schedules for us to visit, observe and participate in their training sessions. Each of them turned the ropes over to Brielle, instructing alongside her, and treating her not like a child, but like a trainer in training. To think that this 13 year old had the opportunity to work and learn from three, now four, professional trainers in one year, plus all the training and instruction Tina had provided over Brielle's years at SHEW, preparing her for this opportunity, is just amazing. I am forever grateful for each of them.

All of these trainer visits required frequent and significant travel for us to parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The journey to training Koda has not been a straight path; it's been filled with obstacles and setbacks (see attached image for what I've learned about horse training).  Never did we see Brielle waiver in her commitment to Koda, and always we recognized that he relaxed when she was on site and in the ring. Each trainer questioned, at one time or another, if Koda was a horse fit for a child. I would be lying if I said that I didn't have the same concerns as her gatekeeper and protector. Ultimately her father and I have decided to give Brielle this opportunity, as she has certainly earned it through her unwavering commitment of time, effort and deep love for this horse. We are eternally grateful for Tina Snyder and the Safe Haven Equine Warriors family for being on this journey with us and for never giving up on Koda and Brielle.