Harley is Leaving! Homeward Bound!

February 8th, 2012

Another busy day here – lots going on here and offsite.  Harley left for his new home today.  He was bright and perky – a new adventure for him.  A whole new life with his own human family – what a blessing!  The day that he arrived here was the day his life began, again!

The windblown look – Harley is so handsome!  He’s put on much needed weight and his unhealthy coat has been replaced with a bright and shiny one.  He holds his head up high and proud – he knows he is loved and that he matters.  He still has a couple of areas that need to grow hair over where the old halter was so tight on him but they too will heal.

We did get a little one on one time this morning. He’s a ham for being groomed.

One of Harley’s legs is much bigger than mine – he’s 19 hh and I can’t even see over him!

Harley likes kisses.

Turning him over to his new mom.  Yes, I was holding back tears that eventually flowed.  I have no doubt that his new family will love and care for him and he will be happy – this is what we want for all of them.  But it isn’t easy.  Once they are here you get to know them.  They morph into healthy and happy horses.  You bond with them and that is what I remind myself – that bond will always be there along with memories that nobody can take away.  They remain family and we love them, always.

We’ll miss him – I already do.  We’ll post updates.  I know he settled in this afternoon just fine.  He was trotting around exploring his new home where he has room to run and play which he loves to do.  He’s meeting and making new friends.  God bless all of you for helping to make this new life for him possible.

As for Harley’s partner that we tried to get I do have a good update on him.  I shared with the owners some things that would help him and they listened!  The horse now has a new shelter.  A farrier was out to do his feet yesterday.  His halter has been replaced with a breakaway one that fits him.  We suggested a different diet for him – this is something we’ll have to follow up on.  We’ll keep up with him but I am very pleased that he is being better cared for and appreciate his humans for the changes they are making.

Regarding donations that came in to help Harley and those that signed up to sponsor him monthly for 6 months.  We never thought an adoption would happen so soon but his surgery went well, his recovery was smooth, he grew healthy and happy and today he went home.  We have just under $1000 left in Harley’s account of donations received and we will no longer need monthly funds from those that donate monthly towards his care.  If anyone would like us to return some of the remaining funds they intended for Harley please email us at bhfers@earthlink.net to advise.  However, we would like to ask that those funds be used to cover unexpected vet bills such as Haley and Kami’s exams and vetting, Princess’ lameness exam in January, etc.  Also, we need to buy some vaccines and we also need to stock up on medications that we keep on hand that we buy off the Internet – the prices are less expensive than buying them through the vet’s office.

Harley’s case is an example of what can happen when people work together.  Many worked together in different ways to help him and now we can all be proud of our accomplishment! God bless and thank you all!

Theresa Batchelor
President
Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc.
www.bhfer.org

#harley #belgian #adoptionisanoption #bhfer