Chelsey Banker

It’s a pretty crazy story on how this all worked out and the signs that it was meant to be; but for now I will just leave it at this. We are not a 501c3, we’re just a family trying to make a small difference by doing what we can when we can in honor of our late daughter who passed away. Blaze is now one of our many sanctuary horses and we’re honored and excited to have him here.

Replying to @Britanny Pinkerton After losing Emmri; it hit me that I truly didn’t know who I was outside of being a special needs mom and caregiver. When I started this journey I couldn’t have imagined all it would turn into. I still remember the day it clicked for me…. I am good at this because I am good at communicating without words. Ive been doing it almost 14 years now. While Ive only been doing it with horses for 2.5 years now; I had been doing it with Emmri her whole life. I was a pro at studying facial expressions, recognizing patterns, and learning someone from the inside out simply by studying them. It is a blessing and a curse at times; but I am so grateful for all she taught me. I now have a whole new outlet to pour my energy and heart into; communicating and caring for those who cant use words… just like I did with her. It has been so healing for us all.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous when we started our exchange student journey. What if they don’t like us? What if were not good at being host parents? What if the farm life is too dirty and rough for them?… but here we are 3 months in and I can’t imagine life without these girls in our family now. I have no doubt this was destined to be; both of them total opposites but both blending right in and filling holes in our hearts. I have learned so much from them and this experince already and am go grateful to have them. They have brought so much joy and color back into our life and I am forever grateful we had this opportunity. 10/10 reccomend hosting if youre doing it for the right reasons with an open heart. It can be life changing. #hostfamily #exchangestudents #germany #spain #america #travelabroad #exchangeyear #family

Update on Blaze; the newest member at Emmri Acres. He is indeed the sweet shy old man we saw at the sale who just needed a soft landing. Something in my gut was screaming at me that day and I knew I couldn’t leave without him. Especially hearing the only man who bid and won on him was purchasing for slaughter. He sold for $450. Thousands of people walked past his stall, read his sign, and over looked him. He is missing an eye and it is clear that he is older, but my gut was so loud on him having a lot of life left in him. I was able to track down a previous home who was shocked and heart broken that he landed at the sale. She sent my 30+ vidoes of this guy gaiting, going through water, having guns shot off him. He was a field trial horse and gaits beautifully. My husband who originally told me no when I called to ask if I could bring him home, is now in love and see’s exactly why I couldn’t leave without him. It all just feels so meant to be.