This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!

We adopted our little sorrel mare, in May of 2012, from a friend who had found her near starvation and abandoned. After hours of research, my daughter chose to name her Sanuye, which is a Native American name meaning Red Cloud at Sundown.

Day after day, my daughter quietly worked to gain the trust of a creature that had clearly seen very little kindness during its time on earth. She gently groomed her coat and mane while she whispered her hopes, dreams and secrets into Sanuye's ears.

She exercised her and taught her to respect her. She patiently helped her to overcome major fears of minor things such as fly spray, the water hose, hair clippers and farriers. She also spoiled her with treats, giving her an apple, carrots or a peppermint after every visit.

Gradually, Sanuye responded to the attention, looking to my daughter for reassurance during times of doubt. Although there were times that the little mare would quiver in fear, if my daughter gave her a pat on the shoulder and told her it would be okay, Sanuye began to believe her.

Even under the care of a veterinarian and using the best practices for rehabbing a rescued horse, it took more than a year to find the right combination of feed and supplements to help her gain weight. When my daughter was finally able to enter into a show ring with Sanuye, they walked away with ribbons, alongside horses that had cost thousands of dollars and had received professional training. They showed the world just what can be accomplished with love and steadfast dedication.

Years later, those big brown eyes look at us with complete trust, but there is still a bit of sadness there, and I think there always will be. We cannot erase the pain of her past, but we can promise that it will never be repeated. Our mission is to love her and to never betray the trust that has been gained.

Story submitted by Nancy Alderigi from Gallipolis, Ohio.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!