October 15, 2014

Thanks Sandy for coming by and doing the barn today… exhale…
Misty and Marlee
The girls we so good for their bath I am so happy today is so warm with a light breeze… they ran and rolled
Marlee 
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UPDATE – We’ve ID’d her – check the current post on the wall for a cool story.

https://www.facebook.com/HeartofPhoenixEquinerescue/photos/pcb.852468131451150/852467091451254/?type=1&theater

The Hampshire county mare –
Tattoo thoughts?

Keep in mind, she is said to be 10 or 11 – so letter possibilities in front of the numbers (we can’t see it) would be G H I J

5 numbers follow

OTTB

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The mare we’ve named Willow has almost undoubtedly been Identified. . .

What a story she has. . .

She literally traveled around the world to make it to HOP!

Her tattoo is *40302 – She is 12 and was born in France and imported to the USA. She last raced in 2009 in Laurel Park in Maryland.

The dark patch on her right thigh is the identifier in this case, which is noted in her description . . .she clearly has that.

Earned well over 100,000 during her career.

Thanks to Linsey Fowler for helping us uncover her story.

Wow.

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Meet Woody!

He is about 11hh, and he is 20.

He has a damaged left eye, and he is pretty sensitive about it right now.

He also have Heaves, and he was so worked up at us looking at his mouth (he needs a float ASAP), that we were unable to sedate as his breathing was too unstable  to float today.

We will try again soon, once he is more calm.

He was seized in Hampshire Co months ago, and he is still in rough shape, so we know the teeth and heaves are taking a toll – we gave a steroid today, will be moving him outside and will start him on medication to manage the condition.

Animal control explained to us via email, before we picked the pair up, “The vet didn’t think they were going to make it,” but with 4 months of continual care, she and the pony pulled through.They arrived with HOP Sunday.

(Edited after speaking with the vet on the phone to clear up misunderstanding on the communication with the Animal control office and the clinic)

(5 photos)

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Jake was all like

“Hi, guys!” During Willow and Woody’s vet visit today

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She does have a Euro look, I guess! Ha ha!

Meet Willow, an OTTB mare who traveled all the way from France before finding herself in a God awful mess and seized in Hampshire county, WV. Animal control explained to us via email, before we picked the pair up, “The vet didn’t think they were going to make it,” but with 4 months of continual care, she and the pony pulled through.They arrived with HOP Sunday.

(Edited after speaking with the vet on the phone to clear up misunderstanding on the communication with the Animal control office and the clinic)

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Rescue needed (we are full until a few are adopted)

Lincoln co, WV

Mini stallion

Mare, 9 years old, said to be broke to ride, Pony about 12hh from the photos

Conditions are bad. We can get them safe if rescues or private homes with vet/farrier references and suitable facility photos step forward.

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Hershey had his teeth done, coggins pulled and vaccines today

He is 4-5 years old, as I suspected.

What a cute boy he is going to rehab to be!

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100% of your donations go to HOP when you attend Life Spring Yoga class Sundays at 2pm in Charleston, WV

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lifespring-yoga-and-wellness/187312267945658

Lifespring yoga and wellness

Current adoptable list

(Shared from HOP Director’s farm page, where this current rescue page grew from back in the ‘day’)

Willow – OTTB 12 yr old Mare – 15.2hh Approx http://www.wvhorserescue.org/adopt_horses.html

Helpful information for the potential Adopter

Our adoption fees are:
$400-500 for well trained horses that are sound
$300-350 for rideable horses with minor health issues or advanced age
$150 for horses and minis that are pasture companions only or not undersaddle
Rescue expenses preparing our horses for adoption are much greater than our fees could possibly cover. Donations are needed to assure we continue our rescue efforts.

The fee includes:
Board for an average of 4-6 months
Dental float ($100 and up)
Current coggins ($30)
Basic vaccinations ($20)
Vet exam
Farrier care every 4-8 weeks ($30 per trim)
Evaluation to make certain the horses gets the right rider and home
One on one training for horses that will benefit from it
Gelding, if needed
Medications, if needed, the horse has needed prior to adoption
AN ASSURANCE of the adopter that the horse they adopt has a team behind him or her that will work with the adopter every step of the way to be sure the adoptive horse is a good fit for you – THE ADOPTER!

We are a 501(c)3 Non-profit Organization, so please remember that your adoption fee is only a very small portion of what it costs to care for that horse or pony from rescue through adoption.
Our goal is a life long home, so you can be assured that we want you to find the right horse for you!
We will try to match horse and rider as best we can to assure a forever home for the horse. That is our main concern!

Our time is limited as we are all volunteer operated. Please do not submit an application until you are reasonably certain you are dedicated to the idea of adoption. Make sure you can either supply transport or afford to hire reputable transport for your adoptive horse.

Applications take time to process. We try to make sure they are processed within 2 weeks, but reality can mean a longer wait time. Vet, farriers and other references frequently take quite some time to return phone calls, and our volunteers have to budget application processing into their daily lives. Please be patient!

We have in our credit nearly 150 HORSES rescued and/or PLACED and counting! These came from owners unable to continue caring for their horses, rescuers unable to screen homes, seizures and directly from Heart of Phoenix!

*REMEMBER*
Many horses these days have been through hell and back, whether they come from a rescue or are purchased privately, maybe have been in rescue situations before, regardless. Any horse can require more time and training to overcome their pasts, no matter where they came from. We expect adopters to be willing to be aware of this.
We will always give you an honest account of a horse’s behaviors while with us, but issues may surface after adoption for any number of reasons. Please be willing to work through them with your adopted equine; they do deserve it.

Truly HOP would be nothing without our excellent team!

We have so many new followers since the Tractor Supply contest, we thought we should again feature our volunteers.

Sonora W. – Board Member since HOP’s founding

In 2011, there came a point where I had out networked myself. I received far too many inquiries to help horses and personally could help only 2 at a time. Okay, not much has changed. . .we still get too many inquiries to help and have far too little room, yet back then only being able to help 2 at a time was really disheartening.

At this point, Sonora, who had donated to the work I’d privately done with the mare, Phoenix, offered to step in and take one from a group I was working on in Blaine, Ky. That herd of Six marked a change for Heart of Phoenix. We became a real group at that moment. Wow. Did we have any idea what we were getting into?

Sonora’s first horse for HOP was Coco from Blaine. I remember when I took Coco to Sonora, I wondered who would ever want the mousy brown little horse that was hard to catch, difficult to handle and easy to overlook. She was thin, but her primary issues were an injured ankle and a shattered mind.

By the time I saw her again, she was sleek, deep brindled brown and personable. I thought, “Wow. What a Gift Sonora Has. I can’t believe this is the same horse.” This isn’t something I say anymore.

Coco was the first of many to be rehabbed there. Some of our worst cases have gone there: Lola, Pecos, Boone, Zane. . .and so many others.

On her own, she does private dog and cat rescue from her grooming shop in Hurricane, WV (TLC Grooming).

When we worked on the Hampshire Arabian seizure in late 2011, she went with me to see the herd at intake. The ravaged herd was one of the hardest things to look at I’ve seen in rescue. 2 brood mares (one in foal), one very senior, found their way back to Sonora’s to stay forever. No more breeding, bouncing around, no more neglect. Even though the oldest mare’s body is nearly given out now in 2014, Sonora watches over her dutifully. . .

Sonora has been the one to hold “just one more” when an emergency arises. . .never hesitating to go the extra 1,000 miles.

Always an extra 1,000 miles. . .every single time.

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Hay pick up

I have no idea what the face I’m making means.

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Misty after her bath down at Peace for Ponies.

I am not sure of her feelings about it. Ha!

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They surely are good friends

This is a beautiful thing for Marlee who was tied on a hill and without an equine friend for 4 years

True friends…
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—— UPDATE ——-

From Lisa N.

She has met him and haltered him and plans to pick him up Tuesday to take ownership and have him gelded!

Thank you so much, Lisa N.!!

____________________________________

An Elderly couple have him and cannot care for him and handle him.

He is NOT halter broke. He is a stallion. He is young.

He will need an experienced person to capture, load and train him.

He was scheduled to be put down today, but I’ve told their son, stationed in N.D who reached out to us, we will try so please give us a few days to see if someone may take him.

If nothing is found in a few days, he will be put down by the elderly owners.

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We would love to make Great Non-Profits Top Rated Charity list.

Please take a moment to leave a review if you’ve had a positive experience as a donor, volunteer or adopter!

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/heart-of-phoenix-equine-rescue-inc/

Please do not forget our HOP show the 25TH!!!

This will be Fun for horse owners, horse lovers and just folks looking for something fun to do that weekend!

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I think this photo of Schmidtty from last week with HOP volunteer, Gena, shows just how huge this boy is!
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Miss Blake is one nice mare for the experienced Western rider
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HOP volunteer, Suzanna, took a very short test ride on Grace the weekend of the Pumpkin Festival. She is green, but she is a very lovely mover and will eventually make someone a beautiful riding partner!
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How Much interest would there be a Rescue Clinics?

We are considering, starting in early 2015, hosting 4 clinics a year.

The subject matter could be The Ins and Outs of Equine Rescue, Beginner Horse Ownership, Equine Nutrition and any other subjects of interest.

We would likely offer these as Donation only type classes in central locations close to Huntington, WV or Charleston.

Though the quality of this video is very poor (we only had a child available to be the camera person) the progress is sooo exciting that we had to share it anyway! After 19 days Arizona can be caught in her field!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuyrWYCSk7E&channel=UC4rjEmx__dtcgfitgiAD6aQ

If this pony does not touch your heart. . .
Well, that just isn’t possiblehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p6DewDpfbA&channel=UC4rjEmx__dtcgfitgiAD6aQ

BEFORE you watch the current update, watch his before:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szXi_Z4jPV4

OWNER PLACEMENT NEEDED

“They were both retired due to suspected knee problems, but since retirement they haven’t shown any discomfort. Bawdens had his chips removed years ago via surgery, and was retired to ensure proper healing. Smokey issuspected to have chips as well, but he shows us no issue.

Their names are Sneakin’ A Smoke (Smokey), and Bawdens who is a stakes placed racer.

Smokey is 7 at 16.1 hands, and Bawdens is 10 at 16 hands.

I need to get them relocated as soon as possible. We were asking $500.00 for the pair or $300.00 a piece.

They are located in Newell, WV.

Time is of the essence.

Equinerescue@live.com

Please include your facility photos and vet and farrier references

I am waiting to hear from the owner as to whether they are sound for riding at this time

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For all of our new followers that have joined us recently, despite our name, we are NOT in Arizona. We are named after the first horse that our founder rescued. We are mostly in WV but have some fosters in KY and Ohio

Phoenix…..

Her importance cannot be stressed enough here.
Because our director found her, met her, loved her.
The lives of so many others have been changed- have been saved.
So she lives on in them. . .

A Phoenix – Rising from the ashes, always reborn.

Rest in Peace 2010

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Each day, Heart of Phoenix receives an outpouring of emails and calls asking for help for horses in need. We work tirelessly to be able to help as many of these desperate cases as possible. We believe that there is no place in the Nation with a greater need of rescue than HERE in the economically depressed area of Appalachia. Poverty is overwhelming. Our team is constantly faced with situations even those in equine rescue outside of our state would look at and say, “There is No Hope.” But time and time again, we have seen horses overcome odds that are near miraculous. We have been able to oversee rehabs that defy ALL odds. We believe, with Your Help, there is hope in even the most dark and bleak of situations.

We remind everyone that the horses, ponies and donkeys that come to Heart of Phoenix were not simply kept in less than adequate conditions or at risk of auction, they were almost way at the end, having used all mental and physical reserves hanging on, at the last hour. . .

The number of equines in need in the Tri-state area is hard to pin point due to the rural location of many homes; however, our director estimates that for each horse we are able to help, twenty or more calls or emails begging for help must go unanswered due to lack of funding and space, and sadly, there is no other working non-profit equine organization covering these areas.

While Across the United States, over 100,000 horses are sent over our borders to slaughter, here in Appalachia, there are fates worse than slaughter that await those neglected; those not rescued. It can mean years of beatings, dark and filthy stalls with little food or water until they simply cannot carry on. It sometimes means being turned out in winter on an old and dangerous mine site to scrape out an existence as a feral horse on inhospitable land. It means being bred year after year, passing from auction to auction and being purchased by only the worst of buyers because their skin is hanging over a bony frame: They are worthless. No one sees Them. We implore you to hear their story, and allow us to come to their rescue.

Heart of Phoenix is helping change the outlook for horses in the West Virginia, Southern Ohio and Eastern Kentucky area. With YOUR Financial support, we work ceaselessly to see horses that are shells of their former selves, skeletons barely clinging to life, rehabbed with quality vet care and love and given a SECOND chance. We assure them the best shot possible at a forever home.
We have helped save the lives of over 150 horses to date. Most of these horses, once vetted, rehabbed and evaluated, proved to be Sound, Sane and Lovely riding companions with many years left to offer their new families!

A high standard of rehab and care requires a very large financial budget and many hours of volunteer time. We are committed to sound financial management, so we will not take in more horses than our funding allows. This means that while we are able to help many horses, many others must be turned away. We want to see Heart of Phoenix, one day, able to offer HOPE to every horse in need in the area! We believe this is possible with your support!

When you donate to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, not only do you help save the lives of severely abused and neglected horses…Your donation goes back into the equine community in this economically depressed area in a tremendous way!

Last year, we were able to put a much needed $38,000 into the local economy: Local feed stores, vets, farriers, boarding facilities, trainers, farmers and others were able to see the economic impact of having an honest rescue effort in their community!

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s rescuers so many times we are encouraged to keep one of our rescues because of the relationship we have with them. Though it is tempting, a true rescuers heart has a special component to it. We give our all to these broken or starving creatures and the healing could not fully come about if we didn’t pour love into them daily. But if we let ourselves give in to our feelings and keep one, we have then permanently filled the spot where another battered soul could be helped. If we were rich people with vast holdings of land and endless pockets, our barns would be filled. But we are not so our rescuing hearts must hold an extra dose of practicality. In honor of Skye (now adopted) who was our first foster and forever holds a place in my heart, Alfie (SOMEONE surely will adopt him soon) who lived locked up for so long and now knows what a joy the outside world is, and Arizona (whose mind will take a long time to mend) I post this so the followers will understand that though the heartstrings are all tangled up around the rescues we love dearly, for the good of future damaged and tortured creatures, we must let them go.

It is important to remember that a free OR cheap horse is NEVER free or cheap.

A free horse costs you more than adopting or purchasing a horse UTD on everything.

If someone is focused on the horse people free or VERY low cost, that is a HUGE red flag. If they plan to do what the horse will need done, WHY the stress on the horse being free, free, free?

You may find a horse for low cost, but you will immediately have to come up with more than most adoption fees to get the horse current on what he/she will need, negating the free “price tag” right off.

You are far better off to pay an fair adoption fee and have a horse UTD on everything. A farrier visit, vet assessment, fecal, worming, coggins, vaccines and dental float (if that is all that is needed, and usually it isn’t) will run more than most any rescues adoption costs are.

Teddy (Now called Arther) with his adopter, chasing rainbows 
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And we have no space 

Female Horse – call shelter for more info . Adoption fee is $150.00 each

This animal will be given ten days from its intake to secure safe placement. Anytime on or after the 11th day this animal is subject to be euthanized.

Adopt at Mercer Co Animal Shelter (Princeton, WV) 304-425-2838 or 304-425-2880. Stacey Martin is the rescue coordinator and rescues can reach her at 304-887-0614. Open Mon-Sat 12-6. Be sure to use ID# when calling about an animal. The adoption fee covers shots, worming, and neutering. 85$ for dogs, 50$ for cats .

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3 of the 4 – call shelter for more info , Adoption fee is $150.00 each

This animal will be given ten days from its intake to secure safe placement. Anytime on or after the 11th day this animal is subject to be euthanized.

Adopt at Mercer Co Animal Shelter (Princeton, WV) 304-425-2838 or 304-425-2880. Stacey Martin is the rescue coordinator and rescues can reach her at 304-887-0614. Open Mon-Sat 12-6. Be sure to use ID# when calling about an animal. The adoption fee covers shots, worming, and neutering. 85$ for dogs, 50$ for cats .

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Dahlia (now Katniss), Buckshot and Alex with adopters on a trail ride in Logan, WV today

The cool part of these three rescues is that they came from ALL different situations, were adopted by different people and here they are nearly 1 to 1.5 years after rescue doing well and proving rescues can work for anyone.

Dahlia’s adoptive family were new to horses, and this mare has been a lovely fit for their teenage girls!

Our vet just saw Dahlia in her adoptive home and remarked to me when she was here on a call how loved she is!

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Spicy says she is excited she has an adoption pending — with Jenny Moore Sutherland.
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Tara is just the most difficult mare to get a photo of. . .

She usually looks pretty grouchy!

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Boone Is looking amazing
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Alfie got a trim today and his teeth floated a second time. Arizona had her overgrown front feet returned to normal, but she was not ready to have her back ones handled yet. Slow and steady! Fortunately, they are not in bad shape like the fronts. We were impressed she was able to tolerate the presence of the farrier given her mistrust of humans!

We’ve had little to say about Tara lately, and unfortunately, it is because we’ve been working on some chronic lameness she has been dealing with for a long time.

While our vets felt that is may be navicular, they were not certain, and time with corrective shoeing has given her real relief.

We are going to make an appointment to take her to either Rood and Riddle or OSU in the next few weeks.

As it stands, she is not even pasture sound.

We so hope the experts at one of these world class facilities will be able to give us some answers and her some relief.

Her visit stand to be quite expensive, so if you can donate, please consider doing so at http://www.wvhorserescue.org/donate.html

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“Then I’ll raise you like a Phoenix”
– Lyrics from Fall out Boy
Blake’s rehab over a year later

 — with Jessie Smith Hardesty.

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Willie  Adopted
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Bettie and Clover!
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Arizona enjoying this beautiful fall day.
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Alfie was also enjoying the lovely weather!
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About 7 different versions of this prayer exist and the original author is unknown. We have chose one and put it in a video featuring some of our rescue horses. Feel free to share if you like this one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz3ZT9KR9Bw&channel=WVHorseRescue

Please consider donating to help us out with the coming winter. Hay donations are always greatly appreciated and help tremendously.
Thank you so much for your continued support!

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