Bear the Alpine Gelding's Story:
Bear has one of the most heart wrenching stories of ALL the Alpine Wild Horses! Bear has lost his family band not once, not twice, but THREE times.
When the round ups were announced & began in October 2022, there was a shooting where 48 Alpine Wild Horses were brutally massacred, and Bear lost most of his family. Of course he gathered a new family, by joining up several of the members of other bands who lost many of their family members, but again tradgedy struck and his whole new family was caught in the trap. Bear jumped out, regaining his freedom, but losing his family for the second time. Bear once again gathered a new family from remnants of those Alpine Wild Horses lucky enough to evade the trapsite, but then again they were all caught. This time Bear stayed with hi family, but was ultimately separated from them and each member was individually put through the infamous Rail Lazy H Auction.
Many Alpine Wild Horse Advocates contacted us along this journey to see if we could pull him from the auction, but absolutely NO ONE in our group of rescues, advocates, or outside individuals were approved to bid in the Rail Lazy H auction due to one heinous reason or another. We watched painfully as the auction ended with no bids, and every single horse went back to Rail Lazy H owner, Jackie Hughes. It was decided that the horses from this auction would be used for a training competition followed by an auction. A mere month later, his spirit being broken and his body ridden, he was showcased by his trainer at Camp Verde.
No auction followed the competition as promised, even though multiple Alpine Wild Horse Advocates were present and ready to purchase Bear following the show. He was lost once again, and his future seemed to be the most grim....
In December 2023 we were able to save one of Bear's original mares, Swan, and his last foal, Birdie, from another one of Rail Lazy H's auction's! After the auction, we learned that we actually already had Swan & Bear's yearling, Flamingo, at our sanctuary from a previous group of various Alpine Wild Horses that were rejected last minute by the sanctuary they were supposed to go to. Immediately, we were motivated to find Bear and reunite this portion of their family!
Through our partner Salt River Wild Horse Management Group and a lucky spotting of an online sale ad, Bear was FOUND! We were able to pull off a Christmas Miracle for this family that has been torn apart, separated, and subjected to the madness of contractor Rail Lazy H and various trainers, for MONTHS.
They are all three now reunited at Nirvana! Bear is the most gentle father and he is never more than a few feet from his little girl Birdie! Their affection is incredible to see.
Bear is healing from his trauma of being "trained" and is very curious about humans. When I sit with them he comes over, hands his head and droops his lip, taking a peaceful nap in my presence. This is the first step to realizing no human will ever again harm him or touch him in a way he does not want!
Since coming to Nirvana, we have reunited THREE of Bear's mares with him! He is the most loving & caring band leader we have ever seen. He and his daughter Birdie remain extremely close and bonded. Solstice, a young Alpine mare from Chargers family band, has also joined Bear's family!