Breed: Unknown
Age: Late 20s
Arrival: 2014
Bella was discovered neglected, wandering the Santa Ana riverbed alongside Raza. When Bella was first rescued, she was afraid of humans. It is surmised that she was used as a tripping horse in Mexican rodeos. Horse tripping consists of a cowboy lassoing the legs of a galloping horse and throwing the animal to the ground. This inhumane “sport” is banned in California and it is not surprising that Bella would be untrusting of humans. Now, after several years of love and care in the Free Rein pastures, Bella loves to be brushed and scratched. She still dislikes people touching her feet, but is trusting of the volunteers who take care of her. During equine-assisted therapy sessions, students observe Bella and appreciate her ability to heal from hardship.
