The rescue made the considerate choice to have a 30 year old gelding we had named Relic put down today.
This decision was made with the support of the entire board of directors support, as always.
However, several volunteers did not agree and left the rescue as a result of the decision. They feel they wanted to try harder than we did, I suppose. They felt they knew more, better and cared deeper.
And if they did, I wish them the best of luck in future rescue ventures they undertake and DO hope they work harder, better and wiser than we. . .as the area surely need as much help as it can get.
While we never want to lose any volunteers, for the majority of the volunteer team, the decision was very much supported. We know that our judgment is respected by our supporters, and we appreciate that greatly. I expect many of you will think or type we have no need to defend or explain ourselves, but I am going to do it, just to make sure.
For the sake Heart of Phoenix, we cannot work successfully with division in the camp, either.
I hate that on the wave of such happiness in the last few weeks with some rescue successes, we have to weather such a crisis, but I do believe that this will simply make the rescue stronger, our mission more heartfelt and our team more united. That is the way it should work, is it not?
We are glad to have been able to have a solid leadership team able to make the right hard call when that is what was needed. I hate it when we are faced with this type of thing. I truly do. I certainly do not desire it, look forward to it or hope for it. Heavens. But I am not who puts the horses in the situations where we HAVE to do this. That is the making of another person. It is another person’s failing we pick up. Cover the cost of. Bear the sadness of.
If only rescue was all roses and tulips we might tip-toe through, right? Sigh. Not so much.
Very little in life is guaranteed and without risk. We believe to have waited on this choice would have been making the wrong decision for the horse. Period. It would have been WRONG to do so as far as I will ever see. We hated to wait an extra few days to get multiple vets to weigh in, but for the long term good of the rescue, that had to be done.
We stand by the choice. On that, there is no hesitation. Only the board of directors in this rescue can make this call, but we do not make it lightly. We expect the decisions we make be respected, even if one feels they would have done it different, if you’re a volunteer or supporter, and we regret that was not how this was received by a few.
We have only put down a small number of horses since 2009. A MINUTE fraction of those we saved, and given the situations all of those horses came from before we accepted them, they are still among the lucky in the nation, considering what would or could have happened to them otherwise.
We’ve hoped and tried and worked when many others would have given up, when others had already given up. We’ve accepted and rehabbed many a senior and very senior horse, as well. We certainly do not routinely put down aged horses. . .just ask Clover, Bettie, Snow, Alice, Mary and many others over 20 (some 30).
We’ve learned a great deal over the years. We’ve developed pretty solid gut instincts, for lack of better words. We have learned that our vet has given us sound advice every single time we’ve hoped and tried and lost the fight. We’ve learned that sometimes all of that hope just leads to misguided, bad choices that do not help the horses. In terms of starvation only, we’ve never lost a case.
But when horses have other issues contributing to what we see as a quality of life, each time we’ve waited and hoped when our vet’s recommendation was that the horse would not thrive, we’ve found our gut was never wrong and the advice has yet to have been wrong. We’ve also learned a great deal about seeing the BIG picture. We have to believe the gamble is sensible, kind and likely to lead to a happy ever after. No one has been through each of these events here except our board members. It is not really reasonable for others to dictate when they haven’t walked all these miles with us.
This poor guy was a body score of 1 with vet confirmed neurological issues with the spine/back end, as well as unrelated lameness in a hind leg, UNTREATED and FAR ADVANCED Cushing’s disease, no possible future of soundness, dental issues that were extensive which, even when floated, would require a mash diet only. Still, the fact he was totally emaciated played only role in this decision.
To accept a very aged horse at the brink of what we know is bad winter coming, to know what the winter ahead would be like for a horse at this age, weight and with the issues he had,. . .We WOULD NEVER have felt anything besides a peaceful ending could be humane. We made the decision after consulting with 3 vets from 2 practices. It is never a flippant choice. As I write it, I know a handful will chime in with: “Oh, I’d have saved him! I’d have done ‘this, this and this,”’ and if you ever run across such a case and are able to, document it, send it to me and I’ll share the Good News story. BUT We could not see the kindness in anything other than the path we walked with him today.
We have never led anyone to believe we would act otherwise than we did in this situation. It goes against our mission. This is not a sanctuary where we limp horses along that will never live what WE see as a high quality of life because we are unable to make the right call. Horses do not dream of tomorrow – they live in the here and now. They learn to adapt and can appear, to those not really considering the whole story, to be almost normal. . .as they have learned to accept their lot and can do little else. We are expected to listen closer, to know better.
I believe we do. I believe most of you think we do, as well.
I know we have built a credible organization, one that you trust is working with the best interests of the masses of horses being neglected in this area. So my trust in you folks has me put this out there, so you can see that along with bringing in 3 more horses in need this week, along with rehabbed so many others, along with moving them here and there and working a fundraiser lasting 12 hours a day event for the next 4 days. . .we also weather this and expect we will still be saving horses next week, next month and next year.
We aren’t perfect, folks, but we surely have the best of intentions.
If you need me, I’ll be over here washing Rainbows, as one of our long time volunteers says.
Well, she really never left. She was adopted though she remained boarded with our Vp for this last year, but the family is unable to continue to keep her.
She is a heck of a nice QH mare. She is about 10 years old. She is about 15hh, built like a tank, easy keeper and has a lot of training. She does need a solid, experienced rider. We will likely send her for 30 days of training before adoption.
Her fee is $400
She has a freeze brand on the cheek she came in with ( an L with an ^ above it)
THESE LOOK GREAT ON TRAILERS!
Please mail payment to:
Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC
PO box 81 Shoals, WV 25562
Or pay via PAYPAL: equinerescue@live.com
First two pictures are Jersey and the third is incoming gelding-Rainer
via PAYPAL: equinerescue@live.com or mail a donation to:
Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC
PO box 81 Shoals, WV 25562
If you would like to get a HOP shirt, they are available for $15 each (with a $3.00 mailing fee add on if we have to ship). They will be available at our Pumpkin Festival table this weekend. The gray shirt pictured is the “girl” shape and the light green the more traditional. We have child sizes in the traditional shirts.
When ordering, please specify size and 3 color choices. We cannot guarantee you will get your first choice. You can pay via Paypal (please include a message as to your size and colors) or mail in a check with a note as to your size and colors.
What Applies to any horse, applies to a rescue horse, by and large so the answer to that is both “yes” and “no”.
The HOP rescue horses have been evaluated by our team members. Often, when the need has been there, HOP volunteers have put many hours of work into them.
Sometimes the horses in our care come to us with a great deal of training, sometimes just knowing the basics and some needing to start from scratch. But many horse owners do not take the time or make the effort to make sure that they have a mannerly equine friend and often this lack of partnership is what leads them to be in crisis in the first place.
Our organization has learned to tailor our methods to suit the needs of each horse, be it moving the horse to a certain training facility that we know is well suited to the horse in question, or to a foster barn with one volunteer who will be a compatible teacher.
All horses, be they rescue horses or otherwise, have expectations of the people around them. They expect that we feed them adequately, provide them shelter, and supply them with water. What most people fail to realize is that horses have a fourth expectation. That forgotten or unknown expectation is that their two legged friends will be good and effective leaders.
In the absence of good leadership, chaos will reign and this IS true in the horse world.
Being a good leader for your new 4-legged friend means that you will continue the good habits we have started. You will require respect and good manners from your adopted horse. Your horse will stay a good citizen if you do these things. If you do not become the leader, you will soon find that you do not enjoy your horse nearly as much as you used to.
DO NOT BABY YOUR RESCUE HORSE, PLEASE.
Your adopted horse has come to you with a history. Most often in our rescue their history is that they have been starved, though we have ones that have been beaten, locked away or broke very, very unkindly.
Horses have an amazing capacity to live in the here and now most of the time.
Sometimes, we have one that retains some of the memories of the bad situation they have come from.
These memories may make them overly anxious about when the food is coming or defensive of their food bowl.
Or these memories might make them leery of you raising your hand very fast.
Or perhaps your horse has a scar that may still need something applied to it to keep it supple.
Or your rescue horse may not be finished with its training under saddle. Meaning it may not stay on the rail well or it may not have a good canter cue.
The point is, if your Heart of Phoenix horse comes to you with some residual memories of their past or some special need, we will let you know those things upfront. Many do not experience these problems, but a little leadership and understanding towards those who do makes dealing with these bad memories fairly straightforward.
We ALL feel sorry for the horses that come to us in such dire straits. The majority of them come from horrific situations or in horrible condition. But what we ALL must be careful not to do, is to expect less from them than any other horse. Doing so would be a great disservice to them.
All horses require some tuning from time to time. If your horse (whether rescued or not) is exhibiting bad behaviors that he/she did not come to you with, please ask for help from someone who has more skills then you. In that way you will help to insure that you and your horse have a lifetime long partnership.
Sincerely,
ALL of your Heart of Phoenix volunteers, the 161 plus horses that have been rescued by HOP up to now, and all those that will pass through our barn doors in the future!
We have used these 3 as examples but all have been adopted.
Pecos was starved.
Skye was both physically and mentally abused.
Pepper needed some more training to be ready for her human.
– Buck Brannaman
.https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=966472856701178&set=vb.100000154183371&type=2&theater
Again, a case where a very, very senior equine made it to us too late.
We will update tomorrow. But at the moment, keep him in your thoughts. At least he made it to us – whatever time brings.
She does have a Certificate of Title and my sister will take her to get coggins and health certificate if needed.
She’s about middle of the herd. Does best with 24/7 turnout but can be stalled in well ventilated barn if hay is stored elsewhere.
Placing for owner – no fee to approved, safe home.
Our volunteers are amazing and have worked so hard through the Pumpkin Festival and moving horses lately!
Thank you to Angela K. She has driven all over 3 states lately moving horses to safety, but she also worked 3 long shifts at the Pumpkin Festival Th, Fri and Sat.
Thank you to Kim N and Dawn W for working the festival today
Thank you to Suzanna J for working the festival yesterday, helping load the foals and for cleaning up the new (and very stinky) mare, Calli.
We had expected to accept a grey Arab type mare (Jersey) from Ky. A turn of events made a mini mule rescued by the same private person a better choice for HOP to work with. The original rescuer will work on the Grey mare. The Pony Mule, Arizona, will stay with our Canmer, Ky foster team to be rehabbed from abuse. We expect it will take quite a while for her to regain her trust of people.
The grey gelding (very senior Pony, Rainer) arrived yesterday, and you can following the unfolding events with his rescue on the page.
The Buckskin mare and two fillies arrived today. The fillies will continue their Journey to a private Ky rescue. The mare stays with us for continued rehab. Instead of Nellie, we are thinking she will be Calli
Jake will head to training with Eliza C of Kentucky. She did a lovely job with Pepper recently.
This leaves a few spots open here. We’ve been asked to accept two Seizures from Hampshire county, WV. We are working on possible transport for them now.
The vet will be here tomorrow unless it turns into an emergency tonight. I actually thought he was already gone when I checked on him an hour ago. At this moment, I’m comfortable with letting him just be. . .I think he seems at peace and want to let him have that unless something changes tonight.
I hate hysteria and anxiousness at a time like this if we can avoid it.
With some effort and time, he struggled and got up with us, but he still refuses food. While this is very hard and sad to see, we are glad he made it to us so that he has someone with him, and this is a pony that knows he is very safe. That is one thing that is quite clear. I’m sorry he had to journey so far to find this.
He doesn’t seem to have much vision left, especially in the left eye, and from his teeth, he is possibly the oldest equine we’ve ever had in, though long term neglect sometimes makes it hard to be certain.
Lord, never let me shrink from giving the broken and weak the best sometimes we are able to offer because it hurts me, because it seems too hard. . . because it isn’t the ending I wish for. . .and again, in less than a week, it seems the most we will be able to give this aged, skeletal pony will be affection and kindness over the rainbow bridge.
And let me say this. I have to share his story because it deserves to be told in spite of the sadness it brings everyone. He has a life song, and we want you to know he was here. Someone before he came to us failed to care for him in the proper way. But he was here and liked being loved by our people and was loved at one time. He wasn’t always a weary, bony shell. I imagine he was strong and smart and his whinny was not soft and weak, or broken.
It took hours with our VP, her husband and my own to get him up when he arrived down in a trailer and into a secure area by our barn only a short distance away.
Sometimes we have so many successes in a row, we all forget what the hard part of the job is.
This is the hard part. We cannot let the successes of those who come in time allow us to fail those who arrive too late. We still have a job to see it through for these that arrive too late. That is To give them a kindness no one else was willing to provide. The rehabs where the ending is their adoption. . .we came in time for those. No matter how bad they arrive, that isn’t what we remember of them. Those cases are so easy when compared to this. Knowing we were too late and cannot give to a horse what we offer to so many others. . .
This is the part I know, deep down, makes or breaks us in this effort.
I hope it never becomes more than I can bear. . .
Sometimes I fear it may, but then I have to remember all of those successes. . .and remind myself, no matter what I feel or want, rescue still is, at the end, safe from pain.
They will hunt you down and find you!
The Rescuers Rainbow Bridge
Unlike most days at the Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and grey. All the recent arrivals at the Bridge did not know what to think, as they had never seen such a day. But the animals who had been waiting longer for their beloved people to accompany them across the Bridge knew what was happening, and they began to gather at the pathway leading up to it.
Soon an elderly dog came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. He approached slowly, and though he showed no sign of injury or illness, he was in great emotional pain. Unlike the animals gathered along the pathway, he had not been restored to youth and vigor upon arriving at the Bridge. He felt out of place, and wanted only to cross over and find happiness.
But as he approached the Bridge, his way was barred by an angel, who apologized and explained that the tired and broken-spirited old dog could not cross over.
Only those animals accompanied by their people were allowed to cross the Bridge.
Having nobody, and with nowhere else to turn, the dog trudged into the field in front of the Bridge. There he found others like himself, elderly or infirm, sad, discouraged and dejected.
Unlike the other animals waiting to cross the Bridge, these animals were not running or playing. They simply were lying in the grass, staring forlornly at the pathway across the Rainbow Bridge. The old dog took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting, yet not knowing what he was actually waiting for.
One of the newer horses at the Bridge asked a cat who had been there longer to explain what was happening.
The cat replied, “Those poor animals were abandoned, turned away, or left at rescue places, but never found a home on earth. They all passed on with only the love of a rescuer to comfort them. Because they had no people to love them, they have nobody to escort them across the Rainbow Bridge.”
The dog asked the cat, “So what will happen to those animals?” Before the cat could answer, the clouds began to part and the cold turned to bright sunshine.
The cat replied, “Watch, and you will see.”
In the distance was a single person, and as she approached the Bridge the old, infirm and sad animals in the field were bathed in a golden light.
They were all at once made young and healthy, and stood to see what their fate would be.
The animals who had previously gathered at the pathway bowed their heads as the person approached.
At each bowed head, the person offered a scratch, a pat or a hug. One by one, the now youthful and healthy animals from the field fell into line behind the person.
Together, they walked across the Rainbow Bridge to a future of happiness and unquestioned love.
The horse asked the cat, “What just happened?”
The cat responded, “That was a rescuer. The animals gathered along the pathway bowing in respect were those who had found their forever homes because of rescuers. They will cross over when their people arrive at the Bridge. The arrival here of a rescuer is a great and solemn event, and as a tribute they are permitted to perform one final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort all those poor animals they couldn’t place on earth across the Rainbow Bridge and into Heaven.”
The horse thought for a moment, then said, “I like rescuers.”
The cat smiled and replied, “So does heaven, my friend. So does heaven.” Author Unknown
pictured here is “Pocket” who was laid to rest a few years ago. We love the poignancy in this picture.
11 years old and 15hh. Liver Chestnut.
She arrived very abused. Our VP and her family have been working on restoring her trust in people.
She was impossible to catch when turned out when she arrived. She has made a lot of progress so far at our VP’s farm! It is impressive that after our volunteer chases her around so we could film her movement, she is able to walk up to Claire and catch her.
Arab cross gelding. Well behaved trail horse. 15hh, 13 years old
No fee to approved home with references
1. When you are looking for your broom do you often find it between your child’s legs?
2. When you ask your child to name off colors do they say “bay, paint, chestnut, sorrel, palomino, dun, and buckskin” ?
3. When your child has another horse crazy kid come over do you look out your window to find them round penning each other in your dog’s yard?
4. When your child is bought Barbie’s do they use them only to ride their toy horses?
5. When you open your media cabinet do you find only horse related movies?
6. Have you watched The Saddle Club more times than any Disney movie?
7. Instead of your child answering with a ‘no’ do they instead reply with a “neighhhhhh”?
8. When you offer your child an afternoon snack do they always request carrots and apples?
9. When you go to the petting zoo, do you have trouble prying your child away from the ponies to see anything else?
10. Does your child tie herself to the baby buggy with jump ropes and prance?
11. Does your child try to sleep standing up?
12. Does your child call a bedroom their stall and your bathroom the wash rack?
13. Does your child request a ponytail every day to wear to school?
14. When your child stares at the sky, do they always see horse shapes in the clouds?
15. Does your dog run and hide from your child because it is tired of wearing a saddle?
I know I’ll think more sensibly of it tomorrow or next week, but right now, I’d rather not think about how it has to be and the real world.
I’d like to imagine there comes a time this doesn’t have to happen. . . for now. That we can always rehab them where they go on to be adopted and know the good life for a long while.
I’ll know better tomorrow.
“‘I Dreamed A Dream’ (from LES MISERABLES)
There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
So dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung
No wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame
He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came
And still I dream he’ll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed”
I’ve been trying to get directions since.
The property owner (who lives in Ohio) just called me and let me know how to get there.
The horse has been there without care tied to the porch, as far as she has been told, for about a week.
We are headed there now
— update —
He is an ACO seizure at this time
—- Unloaded: https://www.facebook.com/HeartofPhoenixEquinerescue/photos/pcb.846106295420667/846106172087346/?type=1&theater
Not a foal, as further checking reveals – just a younger pony.
Animal control called this morning to ask us to take this pony.
This was a case where the owner of the property no longer lives in this state, and she called to report a pony tied up in her yard. ACO asked us to pick the pony up. He was said to be tied out like this for about a week.
What a before and after!
We received a call from our local animal control about moving a horse tied up and thin in our county.
Our local animal control officers are sheriff’s deputies and able to make the call on seizures and charges.
We did as asked, as usual, and we picked the pony up and brought him here. You’ve all seen the video, I’d say. If you haven’t, we taped the entire trip and pick up. You can see it below in the other posting, if you’d like.
Animal control did not know who owned the pony and assumed he had been abandoned; however, they have said when the owner is found, charges will be brought.
We have nothing to do with the charges or how that plays out. We hold the horse for the county until ownership is either returned to the owner (which has so far never happened in the years we’ve worked with ACO here) or given to us formally.
Someone claims to know the owner of the pony, now. They are posting on this page and elsewhere. This is not an uncommon thing to happen when a horse or pony is seized.
We just want our followers to be aware. We worked the way we always do. We will let law enforcement / ACO do what they always do, and we hope what is best for the pony is what plays out.
This serves as a reminder, given how awful some of the posts by the person have been, WHY we do not have a public facility or post our location. Helping horses in need means putting ourselves (and our children) in situations one may not deem safe. I hope those that have wondered about this in the past consider this a fair reason as to why we work the way we do.
________________ UPDATE
She will be heading to a group that specializes in the rescue of pregnant miniature horses very soon. Thanks to Cindy G at The Homes for Horses Coalition for linking us to them!
https://www.facebook.com/PeaceforPonies
All of the references have raved about the excellent, specialized care this group can provide her, and we appreciate them having reached out to us to network her.
This is a wonderful thing because it opens up a spot to allow us to help others in dire need.
Given the conditions many are seized or found in, you would imagine most of these cases are open and shut, with criminal charges resulting. Jail time or at least heavy fines, right?
But that is rarely the case. To date, I’m only certain one person was charged and had true consequences, but honestly, we just do not have time to be angry or worry about that.
We aren’t “animal cops.” I am not sure I believe it happens like that anywhere, but if it does, let me tell you, it has failed to play out like that here.
Tunnel vision on charging these people results in loss of focus on our real goal. . .that is saving the horses.
We load them up, we rehab them and make sure THAT doesn’t happen again. That is all we can do.
I really cannot get trapped in the worry about what happens to the person responsible after we have the horse. We wish the world was justice-filled, that good always prevailed, that people get what they have coming. . .but it is not. So we do what we do, we try to do it well and let the legal system either succeed or fail on the repercussions for those making a need for us vital.
Thank Goodness. We appreciate that!
She apologized for the comments on facebook and said the person on here posting continually and belligerently was not the owner of the pony.
All Settled.
Welcome to HOP, Hershey!
–Vince Lombardi
We will cover costs
Awesome! Get your entries in to avoid the $15 post entry fee by the 13th!
Remember the show is the 25th! 9am – 9pm!
Spread the word!
