This is an urgent matter and we need your help.

We’ve been hit very hard these past few months with horses that were adopted out years ago, but had to come back to us (at no fault of their own). We try hard to match the right horse to the right human in situations where we are assured the horse(s) will become a permanent family member and have a loving forever home. But, as we’ve experienced over the last year or so, people’s priorities change, illness is real, jobs require relocation and they can’t take the horse(s), the adopter’s interests may have moved on to something new in their life, etc.

Two Arabian mares, Nadia and Venus, were returned by their adopter who had been ill. She could no longer care for these beautiful girls and, sadly, she recently, passed away. She found comfort knowing that Nadia and Venus would be forever safe.

We had to reclaim two Arabian geldings, Mo and Derek, that were at high risk due to a breach of contract – it was not a good experience for us, or the horses. We are grateful that both were located and are now safe here at the rescue. They are both undergoing rehabilitation.

We also had another Arabian, Kaliko, come back and Zahara will be returning from training within the next couple of weeks.

THE URGENCY: In 2010, we adopted out three horses, Anastasia, Jack, and Velvet, to the same home. The adopter just sold their home and notified us that the horses must be off the property by April 30th. We are simply full and have no paddocks in which to put another horse, and, even if we did, we don’t have the needed manpower or resources to care for them. We have never before been in this position and it’s truly disconcerting, to say the least. We have been working diligently on finding homes for these horses and thankfully, we found homes for Jack and Anastasia. Jack settled into his new home this past week and we are trying to keep Anastasia with Velvet until a home can also be found for Velvet. We will then schedule the two mares to leave for their respective homes at the same time.

Velvet is a 15 year old Warmblood that stands 15 hh and she is currently located in Morriston, FL. She’s very sweet and takes after her sire, a Swedish Warmblood named Donnermeyer. Here is an excerpt from the breeder’s page about her sire which sounds like Velvet through and through:

“Donnermeyer’s best trait is his beautiful mind. He is a very easy going stallion, who is regularly complimented for his sweet nature. He is gentle and kind, truly wants to please, and loves people. He is like a puppy-dog, filled with personality, and a pleasure to be around. He also passes this onto his offspring.”

Velvet has an old knee injury as a result of being kicked as a foal and she therefore, cannot be ridden but she would make a wonderful pasture pal. She loves people and kids. She is a huge help with other horses – she will work side by side with her human to help catch another horse, letting them know its okay. Velvet loves attention and being groomed and scratched – she will stand by your side all day long. She does not like to be cross tied but she does well being ground tied. She is up to date on her Coggins, vaccinations, and feet.

Please spread the word, we don’t have much time left. April 30th will be here in no time.

Thank you, all so very much!

A Message from CaryLou!

Hey, everyone, it’s me, CaryLou, signing on to let you all know that it’s time for another hay run, so if you can help with this need, all of us ‘Velvet Nosers’ would be forever grateful! This week, we need three big compressed bales of orchard hay ($300) and a ton of three string orchard bales ($610), for a total of $910.

A very special Auntie has also come forth and has offered a MATCH GAME to help with our hay run this week and all donations up to $300, will be matched dollar for dollar!

If you would like to participate in the Match Game, you may do so via the ‘DONATE’ page on our website. You may also donate via PAYPAL and if you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. Please note that your contribution is for ‘Hay Match Game.’ Please be assured that all donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small. Thank you!

Love,
CaryLou

WATCH CARYLOU YOUTUBE VIDEO!

Penny, a blind 30+ year old Belgian mare, has been dropping in weight and just hasn’t been herself lately, so we had Dr. Julia examine her and do some blood tests. There were a few highs and lows in her bloodwork. Penny has allergies and she may have ulcers. Dr. Julia recommends Succeed for two months as well as Forefront, and she suggests that we add Renew Gold to her diet. She was lame on her front right for a few days, but after having blown an abscess, she is now, much happier and comfortable. Penny is also due to have annual dental work done.

Penny needs help for two months of Succeed ($220), Forefront ($140), and Renew Gold ($90) which adds up to $450. She will also need help with her dental care but we can tackle that once we have an appointment scheduled.

If you’d like to help this grand old girl, you can make a one time tax deductible donation, or sign up to make an automatic monthly recurring donation, via our secure WEBPAGE. There, you have the option of making your donation in honor/memory of someone and you can cancel a recurring donation at any time. Or, you can donate through Network For Good or JustGiving. These links can also be found on our donate page along with our snail mail address. You can also donate via PAYPAL and if you select the tab, ‘Send Money to Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution. Please note that your contribution is for ‘Penny.’ Please be assured that all donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small. If you’re not in a position to donate at this time, we truly understand, but you can still help by sharing this post!

Thank you all, so very much, for your continued love and support!

 

We have a very busy schedule for the next couple of months. Our daughter, Katie, will be graduating from the University of Florida and our son, Joshua, from Larkin University. We’re going to have a physical therapist and a pharmacist in the family – we’re very proud of them! We also have a wedding we’re planning for – Katie is getting married in late May!

Instead of a springtime Open House this year, we’ve opted to hold a Fall Festival. We haven’t set a date as yet, but we’ll be working on that as soon as possible. When we have all the details in order, we will issue an announcement so everyone can plan to attend.

Please stay tuned!

~ Theresa


Announcement

We appreciate everyones’ votes but we were informed yesterday by SunState that since we won last year, we cannot participate in the $1000 contest for 24 months following the month we won. However, we can still be chosen as the random charity to win $500, but that doesn’t require votes.

How about another contest – does anyone know of any in which we could participate?

Thank you to each and every one of you who voted!

We CAN do this – It’s free and easy!

Please vote today and every day until the end of the month. The SunState Charity of the Month contest just began today and could win us $1000 for the horses or we could be a random winner for $500! We’ve already moved from last to first place!

Just click on the above image of Theresa and Warrior and cast your vote.

And please SHARE out far and wide! Thank you!