Hi. I’m Dash. Yes, THAT Dash.

Fast? Absolutely.
Sneaky? Maybe.
Hard to catch? Definitely.

When I first arrived at Colby’s Crew Rescue, I had a pretty simple philosophy: HUMANS = NO THANK YOU. RUN.

I was about 9 hands of very nervous, very fast, very scared little bay mini energy. When Elizabeth and Kayla first saw me, I was hiding way out in the back of the field, trying very hard to become invisible. I had been at the rescue for a while, and everyone knew I was going to be a tough one. Naturally, they looked at me and thought, Yep. That one.

And honestly? I'm glad they did.

When I came to my forever home, I had a LOT to figure out. People. Touching. Grooming. Bodywork. Being caught. Being close. Basically, anything involving humans getting within approximately a mile of me.

But then something strange happened.

Nothing bad happened.

Day after day, I had food, friends, safety, patience, and a whole lot of people who didn't give up on me. Instead of chasing me, they gave me time. Instead of forcing me, they listened.

Slowly...I started stopping. Then I started watching. Then I started coming closer.

And now? I APPROACH SOME PEOPLE!

I know. Pretty incredible.

I'm learning that running isn't always the answer. I can stand calmly for grooming and bodywork, and I've made some really good friends in the herd. Turns out, having buddies makes life a lot more fun. I'm still a work in progress. Sometimes my brain says, GO GO GO! before anyone has even done anything. But every time I choose to stay instead of run, that's a pretty big deal.

I'm a 15-year-old rescue gelding, and I'm still figuring out who I am now that I know the world can be a safe place. Maybe someday I'll become a kids' pony. Maybe I'll be someone's favorite little riding buddy. Or maybe I won't.

And that's okay. I don't have to prove anything.

I don't have to become a riding pony to be valuable. I don't have to forget where I came from. I just get to keep learning, keep growing, make friends, eat snacks, and show everyone that being scared doesn't mean you have to stay scared forever.

I've already come a long way. And if you think I'm done surprising everyone...

You'd better keep up.

Because I'm Dash.

And I'm just getting started.