a gang of misfits
Here at DBR we are a gang of misfits… Most of the of the animals were once rescues or soon to be one. Sonya has a heart for those that may not be perfect or aren’t your typical perfect show animal. She sees the potential in the lost, broken and unwanted. She sees that they have more to teach us than for us to train them.
These animals now have a safe home full of love. Some come from abusive situations, some were the last pick of the litter, others were found lost in the desert or wondering the streets. Along with a few that came from great homes and families that could no longer keep them but did not want to chance them going into a bad environment, therefore they come to their new home and family at Dun Buckin’ Ranch.
Bug
Bug is a Arab-Mustang cross. She is about 12 years old and was Sonya first horse that she ever owned for herself. Though Sonya has been around horses most of her life, she never had the opportunity to own her very own horse, until her 31st Birthday.
It was on the day after her 31st birthday, that Sonya was looking on craigslist. At the time she was living in Phoenix, AZ. She found an ad for a little mare for sale, listed for only $200… Yep $200!
At the time Sonya had a place for a horse but no trailer or truck. So she borrowed a friends truck and rented a horse trailer. Driving out to Luke Air force Base she thought to herself she must be crazy to go look at a $200 horse. When she arrived she found out that this little, almost 2 year old, mare was rescued out of a scenario where the previous owners did not know how to care for horses.
This beautiful little bug-eyed mare was scared of being handled, full of spunk and had a strong spirit. Sonya fell instantly in love with her and had to take her home that day. It only took three hours to get that feisty little mare in the trailer but Sonya wouldn’t give up!
Today that strong-willed mare and Sonya are best friends. Bug is a comfort to Sonya and lets all the other horses know that Sonya is her human. Bug is strong-willed and full of heart!
Apollo
Meet this sweet boy, Apollo! He was another craigslist find, and he was listed as “Free to good home”… Sonya has had Apollo for a few years now and has worked with him on and off, but mostly has just let him adjust to life in a safe environment and to learn to be a horse again.
Sonya got Apollo from a wonderfully sweet lady, Valerie Montgomery Tyrrell, who had rescued him out of a very abusive situation. She was very picky who would have him and what home he would go to.
At the first moment of meeting Apollo, Sonya knew she could not let him go and had to have him. When she first got him he was scared of the world. He was scared of anything that moved or made noise and most any human that he saw. But there was not a mean bone in him, he was just scared.
This boy doesn’t want to hurt a fly, he just wanted to get away from the situation he was in. Sonya’s joy is to now see him happy, safe and a part of a herd.
Apollo always amazes us and reminds us that we all can overcome, no matter how much of an underdog we may be, we all have greatness inside.
He remembers quickly and is so willing to learn, even when whatever we are working on may seem scary. He wants to trust and he always gives his best to overcome his fears while offering forgiveness in our mistakes.
We can all learn from this sweet horse.
Thank you for giving him a safe place to live! The people I got him from were going to have him put down because they said he was dangerous but you said it all! He was so abused and scared that he just couldn’t trust people. I’ll never forget the day he walked into your trailer like he knew where he was going and just a few months before he couldn’t even look at a trailer! You’re one of a kind, Sonya!
Valerie Montgomery Tyrrell
Bucky
Bucky arrived at Dun Buckin’ Ranch on November 18th, 2018 by way of Washington. He is from Sonya’s cousin, Shelby, and we are so thankful to have this sweet boy with us!
Shelby was preparing to get married and would be traveling for work with her new hubby. She hated to have to part with Bucky since she had him from a young colt.
Wanting to make sure he went to a home that would give him as much love as she had given him, one day she contacted Sonya to see if she would take him and sure enough he ended up coming home to California to DBR.
He is such a love bug and has a sweet soul. Bucky is the first to greet you in the pasture. He always wants to be right near you. Even if you’re working on fences, pulling weeds or just walking the pastures, he will follow you around trying to be helpful.
He can feel when you are sad or nervous and wants to comfort those in need. And of course he wants some love and attention too!
He has his stubborn moments but really he just wants to be a little lazy and enjoy the day with you. We love this sweet and kindhearted boy!
Honey
This is Honey and boy is she sweet! Honey is about 5-6 years old and has not had much training. For the past 3 years she has been hanging out with her goat friends in a backyard. She was loved on by an older couple and their grandchildren.
As life changes happened, they were looking for someone to love on her as they did but that also knew more about horses than they did. So their daughter Michelle, who Sonya had worked with, gave her a call asking if she knew anyone that wanted a horse.
Well, as we all know, that meant Sonya went out to look at her and then brought Honey home to DBR. How could she resist that bright eyed, sweet, tall, lanky girl?
Honey wasn’t worked with and at first she didn’t even want to be haltered. Now she walks right up to you, wants to have her halter put on, as she knows it means she will be getting attention.
She is a little under weight and is a little harder keeper than the other horses, so we will be feeding her a little extra groceries than the others.
Though she is a little lazy because she hasn’t had to do any work, she is eager to learn and it seems she is excited to have a job.
Honey’s personality is so loving that we actually think, after some training, she will be a great horse for our program. We are excited to see how Honey will grow and blossom.
We are thankful to Michelle and her parents for trusting us with this sweetheart of a horse.
Tucker
This smiling sweet boy is Tucker the ranch pup. He is a Corgi-Yorkie mix. He comes from the Tule River Indian Reservation and was the last of the litter. The person that was supposed to get him never showed up. Sonya’s good friend Bethany told her about this adorable pup that was still available for a home.
Sonya along with her mother and father drove out past Springville, CA to get this tiny pup. When Sonya first picked him up to hold him, he instantly snuggled in and bonded with her. Now he will go everywhere she goes and always wants to help, even if it is carrying around a stick he found.
Tucker is full of spunk, energy, love and silliness. There is never a dull moment when he is around. He loves to be out on the ranch checking on the horses and chickens.
You may find him chewing on his favorite kitten pal, Ruckus… Yes it may look like he is going to eat the cat but they are best buds and love playing with each other.
Dun Buckin Ranch 