Ashley Snider
Anyone who has spent much time at Walkin N Circles Ranch would have a hard time saying that the place has not had an impact on them. Without question, that is true for Ashley Snider, our Ranch Operations Manager. She will be the first one to tell you that she has made friends and formed bonds at WNCR that will last the rest of her life. This past March, Ashley celebrated her five-year anniversary at the ranch. Ashley, her two kids, two dogs, two cats and three horses live on site, allowing Ashley to care for our herd day or night.
Ashley spent her early years in Oklahoma on her grandparents’ cattle ranch. At age 17, she moved to New Mexico and obtained her phlebotomy certification. As she started a family, her desire to work with horses grew.
In 2011, Ashley decided to pursue her Associates Degree in Veterinary Medicine, and in 2013, she passed her boards to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. Preparation for her board examinations included an internship at WNCR, which solidified her desire to work in large animal medicine. Ashley broadened her skills while working at VCA Animal Hospital in the ICU, Cardiology and Special Surgery departments until 2015. In 2016-17 she was a lead instructor for the RVT program at Brown Mackie College in Albuquerque.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
As she built her RVT career, Ashley continued to volunteer at WNCR and crossed paths with a young Mustang named Ace. Ace had been at the ranch since he was a yearling. Due to a series of bad experiences and bad behavior, Ace had been overlooked. But Ashley sensed there was something special about him and start getting to know him. She quickly realized she was in over her head and didn’t know how to deal with his past trauma, so she spent the first months just mucking his paddock and spending time with him. Ashley started working with a trainer to try to help her connect with Ace. Ace remained wary, trying to push her away, but she was determined to connect with him. Eventually the pair connected, forming a tight bond. Ace began to look to Ashley for security and she realized she could not give up on him.
Five years ago as a volunteer, Ashley recognized how WNCR could potentially benefit from having onsite medical expertise for the horses. Driven by her belief in WNCR's mission to rehabilitate and rehome unwanted horses, Ashley approached the ranch to see if they would be interested in her assistance. Serendipitously, there was an opening for the ranch operations manager. Ashley was hired, and Ace became a permanent part of Ashley’s family.
Her love for the horses and her medical expertise have given WNCR some of the healthiest horses anywhere. One of Ashley’s biggest challenges is treating horses that arrive needing 24/7 care. WNCR has had several such cases over the past few years, and bringing them back from the brink of death is very involved. On rare occasions when the quality of life for the horse is in question, Ashley acts as the voice of the horse. Ashley’s true passion is building a relationship and bringing back horses that many consider forever lost. Taking a horse that is untouchable, slowly breaking through and building that trust and bond is why she’s here and helps gives her cause and meaning to life.