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!
Hope’s Evening Update
Dr. Sonday and Dr. Simonson met with us yesterday to review Hope’s test results. We will be scheduling Dr. Mangan, our veterinary ophthalmologist to do an eye exam on Hope and we will be consulting with a neurologist.
At this time, even though the odds are not in Hope’s favor, we all feel that she deserves a chance. She’s alert and in good spirits, she’s comfortable, she’s eating and drinking, and she’s mobile (to an extent).
I’m so thankful that Hope is here and will at least, be given the opportunity to overcome her issues. Thank you all for caring and for helping this precious little girl. I wish you all could meet her. Everyone who has met Hope, simply adores her.
When the world says “give up”, Hope whispers, “try it one more time.” Believe…
Baby Hope Update
When I met Hope on Wednesday morning, the first thing I noticed besides the issue of her legs, were her eyes. They were odd – at times they would roll back under the socket and you could see much of the white of the eye. She didn’t seem to watch us move about, but she did seem attuned to noises. After she was carefully loaded into the SUV, I took her to the vet for tests. Once back at the farm, she settled into Betsy Rose’s stall.
Hope can get up on her own at times, with effort, but she doesn’t walk much and lays back down soon thereafter. She’s eating and drinking some, not enough in my opinion, but hopefully, that will improve. She seems most content when someone stays with her, and she simply loves to lay her head in my lap and have her face rubbed.
Her crooked legs is one thing, but the apparent loss of vision and being wobbly in her backend and seemingly, being unaware as to where her legs are, is something else. Once we have reviewed all test results, we will plan a course of action.
It makes me sad that Hope was pretty much alone for almost four weeks – down on the ground lying in the scorching sun and even torrential rains. And during all these weeks, Hope didn’t wander from the spot where she was born which supports the thought that she may not be able to see – she had no clue as to where to go or what to do. And when her mom would go off to graze and get water, she was all alone.
I can’t tell you how sweet and trusting Hope is. She is simply precious. She needs prayers, lots of good energy, and likely, a miracle.
Thank you, all, so very much, for caring.
Precious Angel Hope
We Named Her Hope!
Please Pray for Baby Cow
Someone reached out to us about a baby calf with contracted tendons that lays, alone, in a paddock everyday because she can’t walk. Her legs/tendons need to be stretched out several times a day. She may need splints – we don’t know yet. The mother goes off to graze and get water, but returns to give her baby a chance to nurse but as of late, she has been wandering off more frequently and has been gone a bit longer each day. Mom and baby should have been placed in a small area where the mom would be unable to wander too far and the baby’s chance of being hurt by other members of the herd, or even coyotes, would be greatly lessened.
A couple of good samaritans have been stopping by to help the baby get up and give her water. Yesterday, we learned that the owner, not wanting to be bothered with this baby, was going to give her to a neighbor who would fatten her up and use her for meat and her hide.
We want to get her here today and get her settled in. Perhaps the sling and hands on manipulation will help her. Once she is better, and doesn’t need hands on manipulation throughout the day, we think we have a foster home she can go to until a permanent home is found. The thought of her not being mobile and laying in the hot sun, and in the rain, is maddening. She’s going to need milk replacer and vetting.
Would anyone like to pledge to help this precious little girl?
MORNING UPDATE
We need prayers for baby cow – she’s weak this am and couldn’t get up. The owner has finally agreed to release her and we’re getting ready to go get her. I’ll update when I can.
Thank you all for your love and support.
Velvet needs a home!
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!
Uh Oh! What is CaryLou up to?
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
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!
Celebration of Life 2019
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!
Let the Voting Begin!
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!
MAGIC ADDENDUM – A NEW MATCH GAME!
Hey, Everyone!
It’s me, again! Magic! I just wanted to let you all know that a very special Auntie has just come forth and has offered a Match Game to help with our hay needs and all donations up to $500, 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. If you’re not in a position to donate at this time, we truly understand, but you can still help by sharing this post via social media!
Thank you, once again, for your love and support!
Love,
Magic