Meet the Dune Lakes Herd: Samsara
By Rob Pliskin, Equine Pathfinders Foundation volunteer
Sam’s full name is Samsara. It is a Sanskrit word that means “flowing on” or “passing through,” with an emphasis on the struggle to live in this world. In Buddhism, it is represented by a beautiful symbol called the Wheel of Life.
At Dune Lakes Lodge it is represented quite simply by the beautiful Sam and his short two years of life after being born here. Arriving at night as many foals do, Sam was denied those essential first chances to take in colostrum by a mother who could not express milk at that most critical time. So after finding him by the bunk rooms and assessing this literally life treating situation, it became All Hands On Deck 24/7 for Sam and his helpers, the veterinarian, him and his mom, Rosemary, Al, and the rest - taking shifts to milk the mare for Sam and administer the medicines they needed. A foal on the ground, sick, unable to stand, raised by humans in his first months of life.
Now look at him. Healed and growing. There’s more to the story, too. But for now let’s just say Sam is out with the herd in these highlands overlooking the sea, on his way to growing up in the Nirvana of this world at Dune Lakes Lodge.
Sam is on his way to growing up in the Nirvana of this world at Dune Lakes Lodge.
The Dune Lakes herd at play.
The horses of the Dune Lakes herd are an integral part of the Dune Lakes Lodge Retreat and Horse Inspired Learning Centre where they help their human partners create learning experiences to improve the wellbeing and success of children, youth, adults, and families.
Under the loving care of Rosemary Wyndham-Jones and Equine Pathfinders Foundation, the horses make their home on the beautiful South Kaipara Head Peninsula, a massive, ancient sand barrier that separates the South Kaipara Harbour from the Tasman Sea.
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