I was there when Capt. Friday got the Bar M ranch,I will never forget my first ride on the tractor while clearing the land...Seeing what Michelle has done with the rescue warms the heart, I watched as she took 2 skinny sick horses and turned them into 2 beautiful horses, I've seen her rescue squirrels that had no home, and a poor sick kitten.This young Lady's love for animals will warm your heart. I have known Michelle since she was about 5 years old and I am so proud to call her my friend and family.She truly has a heart of gold and not just for animals for people too.There are not too many I know that I can say that about.She is an angel in cowboy boots and hat .With her man beside her or alone she will make this dream happen I know this in my heart.
Awesome ranch in Northwest Florida. We had an amazing time here with the horses. Michelle is so knowledgeable and loving. Such caring folks!!
I first met Michelle a few years ago. The way that she has grown and changed in those years has been amazing. I saw the property shortly after her father passed away and it was heartbreaking for me because my own father is going through the same thing hers did. The amount of work she put into the place once she took residence there has been amazing. When a human being gets old and weak, they often let their property go a bit. It's not a bad thing either. Michelle took what she had and turned it into something Absolutely Amazing! The progress she has made not only with the property, but with the horses too, has been something only a strong person could manage. I'm glad I know Michelle because it makes the world a bit nicer knowing someone like her is out there working her behind off, not for the money, but for the horses. I've done my own out of pocket rescue, so I know what it takes to get a horse back to a rehabilitated state. She did that with TWO horses while raising her own personal herd as well. I consider myself a professional when it comes to horses because I do know a lot and have dealt with a lot. I also know that there is so much more to learn. And here's to Michelle learning more and more because in this field, the learning never stops. Go Michelle and Michael! Keep up the AMAZING work! Love you both!
I have seen the amount of work put into this rescue effort and ranch, and the high quality care both direct care and making sure the horses also have a high quality environment. Michelle has given up opportunities for personal vacation due to her commitment to the horses she takes in. She travels at her own expense to rescue a horse when needed.
When I was younger I would help out around the property, Now that I am older I'm proud to be a part of what this has become and eager to see where it goes from here. I love the way Michelle has put so much effort into making this dream of hers a reality, she gives herself into this rescue day and night, always willing to help in any way she can and constantly thinking of new ways to raise money to support these horses. She loves these animals so much I see it in her everyday when she is working with them. She pours her heart and soul into this rescue. This place is amazing.
"The Hope Spring is Eternal" ~ A quote from Captain Friday Martin.
In 1991, as a young girl about to turn 16 years old, my father asked me what I wanted for my birthday. "Daddy, I want horses!" was my reply. Knowing now, at almost 41 years old, what I didn't realize then was just exactly how much it would take when his reply was " OK Shelly, I'll get a place for you to have some horses baby, but it's gonna take some time."
Within a years time the land was purchased for the future site of Bar M Ranch Rescue Inc. (how Capt. Friday pulled that off is too much story for this little box). Over the course of 6 years; during his time off shore, my father lived on the land in a tent while he worked for a two week stretch to work the land. Everything from creating a driveway to access the property, to digging the first well, was done with blood, sweat and tears and me 300+ miles away living with my mother.
During the six weeks Capt. Friday (daddy) was out in the oil fields he was mapping out where the barn would go, and write letters to me in his Captains log that I wouldn't get a chance to see (or even know he'd written) until his passing on March 12,2015. As it turned out there was a significant amount of doubt that by the time the ranch was ready for horses, that I would even still be interested in them, but he kept on with it anyway.
I've rated my own nonprofit with 5 stars; I felt a little awkward doing so, as if patting my own self on the back. These first 5 stars are for my father, Captain Friday Martin, and all he sacrificed to make his daughters dream of having horses a reality. Thank you daddy,
