We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melanie Bowles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melanie below.

Melanie, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Way back in the early 90s, I wanted to open a sanctuary for at-risk horses. Horses who had been abused, neglected, confiscated by law enforcement from bad situations. The problem? Aside from the fact that horses need a lot of land and they require a lot care (translation: they require a lot of money). Two things we didn’t have. The real problem was that I wasn’t a horse person. I had zero experience handling these thousand pound animals.

But I couldn’t get the idea out of my head – or out of my heart. I envisioned pastures with horses calmly grazing, living in peace and freedom. I saw them as a family, safe within their herd. I dreamed about all their needs being met with love and kindness.

I devoted every waking moment to educating myself about running an operation of this magnitude. I read everything I could get my hands on. I spoke at length with business people and equestrians, and spent time at active equine facilities. An interesting side note here: the ones who were the most discouraging and negative about my plan were horse people. They said I was going to fail. I was making a huge mistake.

It has been over 30 years since bringing in our first rescued horse, and today Proud Spirit Sanctuary stands as one of the most successful, longest existing facilities for horses in need. We have intervened on behalf of over 300 hundred horses (and dozens of other animals), working with law enforcement all across the country. At one time, our herd numbered in the 70s.

In 2004, PBS filmed a full length documentary about our rescue work, citing our program as “exemplary” and a “model for other rescue organizations.”

Melanie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Running the sanctuary is not really a business, I’m not providing a service to the public. I guess my brand would be my writing, my books. And the core message is kindness to animals.

Aside from my three nonfiction titles (which I discuss in the next section), I recently completed a book for kids, ages 8 and up. Adults are loving it, too! It’s called LIBERTY BISCUIT.

It takes place in the South. There is a gentle theme of inclusion – the family is mixed race, but that does not define the story. There are peach biscuits, a mystery, a family secret, and a shocking discovery in the attic of Grandpa’s barn. The best part? There’s also a bedraggled little donkey who adds his own style of shenanigans and hi-jinks, and he helps this family heal from a painful past.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I knew that running this sanctuary was making a difference in the lives of horses who had experienced pain and suffering in the past – before coming to us. But I wanted to find a way to reach people who knew nothing about the abuse so many horses endure. More awareness equals less support of disturbing and harmful practices.

To that end, I wrote a book: “The Horses of Proud Spirit.” A nonfiction account of how the sanctuary began, our evolution, and the personal stories of some of the horses who found their way to the safety of our pastures. It was received with great success, so I wrote another one: “Hoof Prints: More Stories from Proud Spirit.” And then a third: “The Dogs of Proud Spirit.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Over the years, I’ve received dozens and dozens of letters/emails from people who have read my books telling me that the redemptive stories about the Proud Spirit herd has changed their lives. Specifically, changed how they view and/or treat their own horse(s).

That was always my goal – a kinder, more empathetic world for horses. That’s been huge.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.horsesofproudspirit.org
• Instagram: melaniesuebowles
• Facebook: melaniesuebowles
• Other: My publisher: www.horseandriderbooks.com

Image Credits
Melanie Sue Bowles