May 1 – 11, 2015

Rescue brings controversy.

There is no way around it.

Controversy is often a way to educate those who truly are seeking to learn, but this page has nearly 10,000 followers, and of those numbers, a great many are super active on this page, have put a lot of faith in our dedication to help aid horses in need and to help those sincere in learning ways to perpetuate equine based knowledge.

Dragging your pastures is an important part of Equine Husbandry.

More than 80 percent of the plant nutrients are returned to the soil through deposition of manure and urine while a horse grazes. When these spots are not dispersed, that benefit is limited to small patches. Because manure is an important fertilizer source, dragging fields allows for a more even distribution of nutrients.

This practice ALSO helps reduce internal parasites by exposing the parasite eggs and larvae in the manure to the sun and heat. 

Dragging your pastures is an important part of Equine Husbandry.

More than 80 percent of the plant nutrients are returned to the soil through deposition of manure and urine while a horse grazes. When these spots are not dispersed, that benefit is limited to small patches. Because manure is an important fertilizer source, dragging fields allows for a more even distribution of nutrients.

This practice ALSO helps reduce internal parasites by exposing the parasite eggs and larvae in the manure to the sun and heat. 

Spicy with “her girl” today

Note that we can still see her brand even though it is white on white.

Golfers, we need you!

Local Businesses, we need you, too!

Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC is hosting our 2nd Annual Golf Scramble in conjunction with Itty Bitty Kitty Committee this year!

What does Equine Adoption mean Here at Heart of Phoenix in WV, Ky and Ohio?

Across the USA, there are many amazing rescues that work in a multitude of effective ways.

No single process works for every group, and that is so important to note.

When you adopt from Heart of Phoenix, you fill out a detailed application before a visit. You are not obligated to adopt, but you must have pre-approval before a visit. This application includes a waiver of liability, as well.

The application will be processed, you will be interviewed (assuming your references all cooperate), and if approved by the board of directors, an appointment will be made to meet the horse(s) you are interested in.

Our application has been changed over the years at each point we saw a weakness until we feel it is almost as good as we can ask for at this time, though to be honest, still it has failed us a handful of times.

If the match seems a good one after a meeting in person, then an adoption is able to take place. A contract is signed, a small fee paid for the adoption.

At HOP, adoption means a lifetime lease that the adopter may end at any time by returning the horse to Heart of Phoenix. The adopter does not own the horse or ever receive rights to sell, give away or auction the equine at any point in the future. If the horse is returned in good health to any of the HOP foster locations, the adopter receives a 75% refund of the adoption fee. If the horse ends up unable to match up well with the adopter sooner or later and comes back in lovely shape and well loved, the person is welcome to try again with a better match, receiving full credit of the previously paid fee toward another adoptable horse now or in the future (though this rarely happens). This is particularly helpful to beginners, those adopting for growing children or those unsure of what discipline they may venture into. While forever adoptions are ideal, and most of ours are taken on as such, reality means sometimes forever isn’t possible. We want SAFE most of all.

Our contract has been combed over by multiple attorneys and has proven very solid. We are thankful for that. The horses from the end of 2014 and on typically carry a HOP freeze brand that is registered to the state of Kentucky which shows HOP is the owner of record.

Note, typically, ownership is not retained by most rescues nationwide of any type of animal. I know of only a very few. Many (pretty much all) operate in significantly higher socio-economic locations in the USA where rampant abuse and neglect doesn’t occur near so much as it does in our area. The risks of letting ownership go isn’t so great outside of our area. Some of the very best rescues in the nation do not retain ownership. While without retained ownership, enforcement of no-sell / no give away contractual agreements in court is most of the time going to be impossible, these organizations have a solid track record of good adoptions, so it CAN work and work well depending on the location of the rescue. What is vital is the organization KNOWS what works for the overall safety for their rescue in their area.

Some very respected rescues allow for sales after one year of adoption, some retain an interest in the horse for life, some do not place any real enforceable requirements after adoption approval but do have solid applications that weed out as many unsavory folks as possible. The important elements are that the rescues screen VERY WELL (knowing there is no fool proof screening) and they always accept back their horses if the adopter wishes to return the animal at any point if they are still in operation.

We network and work with non-profit and privates rescues from time to time with various after adoption policies, and we respect many that work differently than we do.

I simply could not do this work, put my entire soul out there over and over again and not do what I know is needed in OUR area to keep these horses safe. Here in our area, NO OTHER type of adoption contract would be effectual that didn’t retain ownership.

Does that mean some good homes chose to not adopt.

Sure, but it means the horses are safer overall.

We cater to an adopter base that wants to be part of a solution to the neglect horses are experiencing here. Our adopters are not JUST People looking to “get a horse,” but they are people who are looking to something higher, something more. . .and for those people willing to go a little further, work a little harder. . .

Thank you!

We try to make the process worth your while with horses that arrive UTD on all vetting, rehabbed, with honest assessments, with 24/7/365 support for the life of that adoption and give those adopters the assurance that if they cannot ever care for that horse, they have a heck of a nice organization there to step in and make sure everything is okay for that horse.

http://www.wvhorserescue.org/adopt.html

Macey!

I know we haven’t updated on this girl for awhile. She came to us the end of February.

Again, it is one of those cases where you wish followers could have seen what I FELT under the long winter coat. Body Score: 1. Barely. No fat. No muscle.

Send the HOP crew lots of Prayers as we head to Rood and Riddle with Blaire and Noel.

While we know we will do what is best for these horses, too many times what is best for them is very painful to the hearts of those who care so much for them.

At Rood and Riddle with Noel and Blaire – please consider a donation at Wvhorserescue.Org/donate.html

These horses need your thoughts but also your donations while at Rood and Riddle today wvhorserescue.org/donate.html

Milo is a very happy boy at Michelle’s house!

I will preface the extreme sadness of this post with some gratefulness.

A lot of it, actually.

I’m grateful for volunteers and board members that work so hard to give every horse kindness while the horse is with them, until the end, whether that end is until their home comes or until they leave this world, grateful for those strong enough to DO THIS when most are not.

I’m thankful we are close enough to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington that we can get true experts in the equine world to evaluate and give us the answers we need, and I am beyond appreciative of the amazing way they work with equine non-profits, like HOP, to allow us to afford this wonderful team of experts. Many would not offer horse rescues anything near what they do. They do not have to. They chose to and treat these horses like the superstars they are.

I’m appreciative that, though it does NOT seem so tonight, we really do see more good days than bad days in this effort, thankful that,though I feel I will throw in the towel because I AM not strong enough, tomorrow I will realize I must be able to and will go on.

Neither Noel or Blaire returned with us from Rood and Riddle today. We try to make sure the things we see haven’t made us unable to hope at all. I fail a lot at that part.

We found they had no hope of recovery, of soundness, of a quality of life they deserved if a people hadn’t robbed them of the chance before they made their way to us.

It would be one thing if their fates were determined by a fluke, by genetic roulette or accidents. . .but they were not.

Their fates were sealed because they were rescued too late from people who had to have abused them beyond comprehension.

Noel saw Rood and Riddle’s lameness specialist and their neurologist. The nerve damage from injuries caused by the suspected rope left tied around her leg, the fighting she had to do to free herself. . .was too extensive for her body to heal, though we gave her more than the initial vetting’s window of time to see. The cobbled movement she developed as a means to get around is the best that could be hoped for in the future, and that was nothing near a reasonable quality of life. Given she came to us with a broken nose from what our local vet assumed was being beaten across the face, God knows how long she suffered with this injury before animal control finally called us.

Blaire’s lameness was something we soon noted after her arrival from PA when a STB advocate purchased her and had her moved her from a feedlot. This was no surprise as she had been passed by for weeks in the lot, so I assumed there was a reason such a young, nice looking girl was being left there. We hoped rest would be the answer. So did the farrier. We moved her to a board member’s barn to give her time to rest (something she’d have rarely had where she came from), as she ended up on the feedlot following working with the Amish and was tired. But we saw rest was not helping her. After ultrasounds, X-rays and an exam, Dr. Hopper explained her right stifle was basically just destroyed – not a destruction that could heal. The pain was (which we had recently come to see clearly) very substantial (which her eyes and body language screamed to us), the arthritis through her hips very severe and at no point did she have any time ahead without pain or with soundness.

These are things people did to these horses. . .allowed to happen or actively caused.

They were lovely young mares. Only 5 and 11. They were kind, beautiful and deserved better, still approached people with openness and love, and we were too late for them.

I get tired of the sadness. This is what you must know. We all get tired of it. I did not go into rescue because I looked around and said I wanted to walk countless horses found here and there discarded like used up socks over the rainbow bridge over and over because those before us didn’t care enough. I looked around and said I want to save them because too few are doing that. Save them. Learning what “SAVE” and “rescue” REALLY means has been a wake up call years in the making. I do know what it means now.

One cannot rescue without being there to do this. It is the hardest part of rescue, the part that Makes you or breaks you. It breaks most. We fight to be the ones it makes. . .makes kinder, stronger over and over. Today is a line where you prove you are in it for the horses and not the feel good moments only or to boost your own ego. . .you are in it even when it leaves you sitting over in the corner crying like a small child feeling like you’ve lost everything. . .over a horse no one else ever cared a thing about. . .

And that is the last thing I’m thankful for. . .that we have the people able to do that, and let me tell you. . .they are made of the most amazing stuff on Earth.

Yesterday, Dr. Steve Walker of Equine Medical Center in Ohio went out to see Schmidtty who has been in a foster situation with the potential to be adopted pending how well his progress went during his foster sponsored training to see if the big guy would transition from former show horse to happy trail partner now that he was at a healthy enough weight, but the training was cut short immediately because with any work undersaddle with a rider of moderate size, something was clearly wrong. Dr. Walker went out and sadly diagnosed him yesterday with Laryngeal Hemiplegia, which thankfully can usually be corrected fairly well with tie back surgery. The Rood and Riddle estimate today I was given is to be a maximum of $4,000 before our discount including a 3-4 day stay. 

New, easier ADOPTION APPLICATION PROCESS!

https://fs22.formsite.com/deineria/form1/index.html

Please visit:

http://www.youcaring.com/…/with-just-1-00-what-you-…/349760…

With just $1.00, What YOU can Become Part of IS Amazing

Previous Adopters, Volunteers, horse owners who have been helped by this organization or anyone who has worked with HOP in some direct capacity (including visitors to events)…..

Please take a moment to PM or post a testimonial of any length about your experience with Heart of Phoenix, as we are updating certain sections on the website over the next few weeks, and We would love to make that section more current.

6 year old SB Neo’s adopter and trainer are so proud of him during his first Western show! Remember this gelding was dumped at an auction and rescued by HOP in 2014 after being labelled as dangerous and crazy.

He has proven with this team he is neither and just needed time and the right rider and trainer team.

Remember, this is his first time out, and we love how light the rider is with his hands in this clip! This boy is a knock out.

One Horse At A Time, INC is working on offering funding to Heart of Phoenix for a gelding clinic we will host in the fall. We hope to offer 20 geldings for FREE to owners in need in the Tri-state area. Kelly Pinkston, DVM has offered to work with us to host this VERY needed service!

Thank you to OHART! We will be so pleased to offer this free clinic to the community soon!

“Gadget”

This Appaloosa type mare needs a home asap in Craigsville (Nicholas county), WV. She is said to be about 6 and likely not started. She will need a solid adopter able to train her.

We’ve committed to trying to help an emaciated gelding in the next few days, and with the funding of all the coming vet care and truck repairs, we feel we need to try to help this family by searching for a direct placement for this horse.

Calli in back with Beauty in front in their adoptive home

Thank you to Clayton Spangler / www.spanglerstudio.com
for shooting these for the Tractor Supply Company’s Out Here Magazine follow up on Heart of Phoenix’ win of the Rescue a Rescue contest!!!

Featuring Milo! Look for the story in the next issue of Out Here Magazine!

Starting over the next few weeks, I’ll be introducing you to each member of our team in a new way each day. Be ready. We are a pretty large and eclectic team these days.

What you get?

A picture, name/title and a quote.

Willow is a fabulously attractive TB mare. She was born in France and exported to the USA to race. She is 12 years old. She has a wonderful disposition toward people and is well behaved undersaddle.

Easy to catch, comes right to you. 15hh. She can be very dominant toward some mares, but she loves most geldings I’ve turned her out with.

She does have some anxiety in large groups of riders/horses in unfamiliar areas, which this likely goes back to having raced years ago.

So who remembers this guy?

Well look what he is up to recently!

His adopter has enjoyed him, but she has a long term change in her situation making it impossible to keep both HOP adoptive horses, and she feels she owes the time she can offer to the senior horse, Marty (who has developed some health issues), she adopted from us first.

Remember to make HOP your charity of choice when you buy on Amazon, and Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase total back to us each time you shop IF YOU USE this amazon link:

smile.amazon.com

When you order!

This gelding was picked up a few days ago in grossly neglected conditions in Ohio by Christina B. of Triple B Ranch.

HOP plans to pick him up Saturday and get him on his way to an amazing AFTER.

As quickly as tragic times come, we are reminded why we are here doing what we do. . .

Continuing the New Meet the Rescue Crew Series. . .
Day 2

What you get?

Patrick King Horsemanship Clinic
Friday, August 7 at 9:00am

HOP will be in attendance –

Kismet is never too far from her best buddy, Champ in her adoptive home.

Check her out now compared to the 2nd picture which was taken two weeks after her arrival! Kismet could not even stand upon intake and was carried out of the woods where she lay dying.

If you haven’t yet purchased your copy of “Turner’s Story”, you are really missing out!

This beautifully illustrated and touching story is sure to appeal to a wide variety of readers. It has several different themes, beyond horse rescue,….adoption, physical challenges. volunteerism and courage.

100% of the profits go to help Heart of Phoenix!

Gemma is settled in at Sunday Stables to embark on her evaluation – she will be ready for adoption within the next month or sooner.

She is a pretty 14.3hh Stb cross mare. Personable, lovely mover. Broke to ride and 10 years old.

Fee will be $350 – $400

Lettie has shed out to be a lovely liver chestnut gal.

She is a QH cross mare. She is easy to handle, friendly and comes right to you in the field.

10 years old. Broke to ride, and with some evaluation, we suspect she will be advanced beginner friendly.

Absolute Tough Talk is a registered 7 year old ASB gelding who stands 16.1 HH. Stitch, as he is known, will require a kind and knowledgeable rider (Advanced intermediate), and he does well if someone with light hands steadies him. He is a very curious and friendly fellow. He adopts from near Morgantown, WV

His fee is $500

Don’t let these serious faced pics of Irish fool you, she is quite happy while she rehabs in HOP at Sunday Stables. (like so many others who have been starved, she is worried when someone gets close to her food. Fortunately that almost always goes away in time)

I promise you. . .this mare has such a BEAUTIFUL soul, and she is so easy on the eye on the outside, once she is ready to adopt, there will be a line!

TWH mare, 15 years or so old.

Continuing the New Meet the Rescue Crew Series. . .
Day 3

What you get?

Gracie gal may have an interested adopter smile emoticon

Absolute Tough Talk is a registered 7 year old ASB gelding who stands 16.1 HH. Stitch, as he is known, will require a kind and knowledgeable rider, and he does well if someone with light hands steadies him. He is a very curious and friendly fellow. He adopts from near Morgantown, WV

His fee is $500

Susan, a HOP foster and trainer, and Amanda, a volunteer and adopter, were taking part in a Dressage show today in Ohio on Susan’s personal Morgan and Saddlebred.

Awesome jobs, ya’ll!!

Thanks to Pauley’s Rowdy Acres for the great shots!

Look how shiny Sophia has become since her adoption! Such a pretty girl!

Best prom date ever! Alfie and Raven

This 25 year old STB is the quintessential fat and sassy girl. ALICE! 2013 Rescued at a body score of 1.5-2

HOP wants to congratulate our VP, Jessie, for graduating Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s in Business today while working full time, parenting 3 teenage girls and saving horses!

Big Red (Yet to be named) incoming – Now called Cimarron

Thanks to Sonora and Dorella for that long trip out, despite a flat tire, to get him this evening.

I know what a trip that was!!

Cimarron – again from yesterday’s intake right before loading

If you would like to donate to his rehab, please visit: http://www.wvhorserescue.org/donate.html

Continuing the New Meet the Rescue Crew Series. . .
Day 4

What you get?

Summing up what most of the Heart of Phoenix crew have either said or thought at one time or another:

It started out as something nice to help out with now and again for most.

You know, when we could “find” the time. When it was convenient.

Working out the details now.

STAYED TUNED

LOCATION TBA

Misty and Joker needs safe, screened homes asap.

Cannan Valley, WV

Both are Quarter Horses. Joker is a 10 year old Dunn gelding. He has mild arthritis in his front right shoulder which hasn’t limited his ability but can seem stiff at times. He has always been ridden by children. He is road safe, loads, stands for the farrier, not afraid of vehicles or dogs. He was always ridden with a hackamore. The vet say he has “wave mouth.” He will need frequent floats.

Very rarely are we able to look back at the moment when we put in writing our hopes, fears and quite a few years later say. . .

“Wow.”

That is what happens when I found this old Blog on my farm page from Monday, October 25, 2010

We all begin as an innocent.

We are Full of misguided idealism. If it is an area we are new to, we have preconceived ideals that rarely resemble facts.

What separates those who are going to succeed is that when we fail, when we fall, we get up and move forward, through bittersweet lessons. We do not go backward or stay the same.

Thank you so much for your continued support!