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Thursday, May 19, 2005

Riding To Heal and To Raise Awareness

By Stacey Boyne
Mountain View Telegraph
    After 800 miles across mountains and through desert plains, Linda Losey and her two horses stopped their potential nine-month trek for the night in Edgewood.
    Losey will be the first lone woman known to ride 4,600 miles from coast to coast on horseback if she makes it. On Monday, she appeared tired but energetic in spirit as she relaxed in the late afternoon sun on the front porch of Walkin'Circles Ranch. Ranch co-owner Colleen Novotny joined Losey and Losey's friend Carol Ann Eroh on the porch as they talked about equine rescue laws and miracles and shared personal stories.
    The movie-like moment wasn't being directed or filmed, but perhaps someday it will be on the big screen for everyone to see. Losey's story is one of inspiration, trust, healing and truth in spirit. A story worth telling.
    A year ago in June, Losey lost her 10-year-old son, Sam, in an accident. The trek Losey is undertaking was originally Sam's idea, and now in honor of his life, Losey is fulfilling his wishes.
    "Sammy adored horses and he did all of his community service at the Equine Rescue back in Maryland where I sit on the board. It was his idea to ride across country and stop at equine rescues in an effort to bring awareness to the cause," Losey explained.
    Losey's original plans were to head through Colorado from Arizona, but recent Colorado snowstorms forced her to re-direct her course through New Mexico. Walkin'Circles Ranch is the first equine rescue she has visited thus far on her journey, which started March 29 in San Diego.
    Losey says the trip has provided many opportunities for solitude— a necessity for healing her soul— but just as many opportunities to be touched by the warmth and generosity of the human spirit.
    "I'm so grateful for people like Ernie Esperanza and his family of west Albuquerque who recognized me by my hat, and offered their home for the night. Matthew Hagerman, a farrier in Albuquerque, came to my horse's rescue by making special shoes that were much needed after trekking through volcanic rock," Losey added.
    As strangers open their homes and hearts, Losey is learning how to embrace each day as it comes— which she says is an important aspect of her healing.
    "I no longer cry and feel overwhelmed when I enter a city because I know everything will work out and I will be taken care of and I swear Sam is whispering to me," she said.
    Losey's most memorable moments have been with the kids she has met along the way, who she says have the same endearing traits as her Sam.
    Even with the support of family, friends and strangers, Losey admits the journey would be impossible without her beloved equine companions Val and Rocky. Val is a rescue horse that Losey rehabilitated and Rocky is a Tennessee Walking Horse acquired for the journey. They both help Losey keep her focus on raising awareness for horse rescues. After their stay at Walkin'Circles, the trio will continue to stop at equine rescues across the country focusing on sharing information in hopes of bonding together equine groups nationally that could result in the setting of standards and gaining of protection for equine rescue organizations.
    On Tuesday, Losey will head for Santa Fe and then continue along the route that will eventually lead her to Chesapeake Bay and finally to her home town of Baltimore sometime before Christmas.
    Losey's daughter has created a Web site that contains information on a scholarship fund in Sam's name and on equine rescues, Losey's journal entries, and pictures from the trek. Despite Losey's one-day-at-a-time attitude, she does foresee writing a book on her adventure when all is said and done. In the meantime, Losey's journey can be followed at w-ww.americandiscoveryride.com.