Here are many of the photos from Margarita’s journey at Rood and Riddle so far.
Her surgery is, at this time, considered a success. Now we must all keep our fingers crossed that she does not develop pneumonia or colic. Foals are at a much greater risk for these complications because of their delicate nature.
She is currently on antibiotics, banamine, and Ulcerguard to give her the best chance possible and keep her pain free.
She will be in her pretty green cast for 2-3 weeks and she and Sangria will be a guest of Rood and Riddle for 3-4 weeks.
We are so grateful to that wonderful place for their excellent care of ALL equines and their discount for our rescue!
Dr. Ruggles, his team and the support staff were all wonderful today, and they are the best (and most loving) of hands!
This horrible accident is certainly nothing we could expect, and we are going into winter with so much need all around, and yet, our obligation to this lovely 38 day old filly was clear.
We ask you try to give your best gift.
If you have already given or have never given before, She needs your support as she is fighting for her life and will be for some time to come.
To donate:
http://www.wvhorserescue.org/donate.html
Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC
PO box 81 Shoals, WV 25562
We are a tax deductible non profit 501(c)3 organization
Calli is a quiet girl. QH type. About 10 years old. She is reserved but loving and doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. She lacks confidence and needs encouragement, but she has exhibited no buck, rear or bolting.
About 14.1-14.2hh.
Adoptable now
$350 fee
https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/30473685
Thank you to Susan and Lisa!
One of the often unmentioned things we are so thankful to be able to offer our communities is covering the cost of truly needed equine services when the owners simply cannot afford them for some reason but have given good care, otherwise.We just let a local vet’s office know that HOP will cover the cost of a euthanasia for a senior STB mare I went out to visit to offer suggestions about. She is very lame, and while the elderly couple have provided good care for over a decade, they would have struggled to cover that cost of euth and burial. A local person kept trying to get the couple to give her the horse, but the lady said she knew that she would just haul her to auction and sell to kill buyers, and she couldn’t do that to the mare.
We will cover the vet call, they will be able to cover the burial, and that lovely old mare will not go into winter in pain after years of service (tattooed harness racer) and an otherwise good life behind her.
Thank YOU all out there who give to allow us to not only save the broken and abused, but allow us to step in to make sure others never know on going pain.
Another awesome photo of Little with her little Girl during her school presentation 🙂
(for those that do not know, Little was orphaned at far too young and is entirely blind)
How lovely is this?
Memphis today in his adoptive home looking fabulous sporting his HOP freeze brand
Memphis at intake in December 2013 and Today
(Today sporting his HOP freeze brand)
Her name is actually Dolphin Star.
Willow is the name she is known by here in Heart of Phoenix.
She was part of a case where the ACO reported when she was seized in mid-2014, their vet wasn’t sure she would survive, the starvation was so very severe.
Then she came to us in late 2014.
For over one year, we have wondered how such a lovely mare could have generated no real interest. She had one adoption that didn’t work out early on because she is dominant with other mares.
She came from France as a yearling, came across the ocean to race here and be discarded, to be starved.
But I really believe she was making her way to where she was supposed to be. . .because recently an application came in for her, and then today after letting the applicant know she is approved to adopt, she sent me this photo.
She purchased this stained glass piece in 2002 and it hangs in her home.
Willow was born that same year.
Now you tell me that is not destiny?
Keep in mind she hasn’t met Willow, yet, she has only followed her journey here, but here is betting this mare has found the place she crossed an ocean to head to over a decade ago.
Actions are the seed of fate deeds grow into destiny.
– Harry S Truman
Our little ‘Rita has an indomitable spirit.
Yesterday she had her cast removed and a splint put on while under anesthesia. Afterward Rood and Riddle x-rayed her to see how the break was progressing. The films showed that the most serious of the injuries had improved so remarkably that it was decided the splint would just be a detriment.
If she continues to do so amazingly well, she will probably go home to her fosters on Friday!
This is wonderful news! She and her momma will still be facing 3 weeks of stall confinement at home and then two weeks in a round pen like situation after their release.
This is just the best outcome so far we could ever hope for!
(Picture is of her when she was 4 days old)
Jake Fiddy says Thank you to the supporters of HOP on this Thanksgiving’s Day eve. . .because of folks like you, he is safe and adopted today!
A post from one of our young volunteers who rode her horse (an American Saddlebred) in the Chicago parade last Thanksgiving.
In honor of Bug and I hitting the pavement for the McDonald”s Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago.
Some people dare to tell me that what I do is not a sport; that horses cannot be teammates. That being an equestrian is “easy”.
They have obviously never stared into the eyes of the horse, and seen the fire that burns within them. They’ve never slept in a barn with a foal, waking up every 45 mins to feed it, only to have it die in their arms. They’ve not eaten dirt and been congratulated for “joining the dusty butt club” and then remounted. They’ve not slept two hours and been thrilled about it cause it meant it was a show day…
Nor have they experienced the frustration of trying to communicate with a teammate who speaks a different language. An animal who’s first instincts are flight or fight. They may of been hit hard, punched hard, thrown down hard; but they haven’t been kicked, fallen on, or trampled by something that weighs more than five times more then them.
With that said; Bug has now been one of my teammates for a little over a year. He’s carried me through parades, competitions, rodeo’s, and grand flag entries in my newest found love, Equestrian Precision Drill Team.
He’s charged into arenas that he’s truly frightened of because of the trust he has in me. He’s remembered where to turn in patterns when I completely forgot; and stuck with me when patterns were forgotten and had to be fixed by winging it. He’s successfully run a different spot than usual with no notice. He’s graciously taken hits, bumps, and kicks from countless numbers of horses whose patience is not nearly as great as his.
He’s been my shoulder to cry on, my reason to smile, my inspiration to keep trying even when I thought I could not. He’s spent countless hours with me in the irons; learning, practicing, perfecting. He’s been an ambassador for the American Saddlebred Horse; doing what some said could never be done. He’s allowed hundred’s of kids to pet his nose, and taken little boys and girls on their first horse ride.
I know as I walk (or rather prance) the route; I’ll hear little kids yell at their mama how they want to be a “cowgirl like that girl!” But if they knew what I knew; they’d know it was not me they wanted to be like; that I was nothing to look up to. For without me My Bugatti is still a wonder horse. But without him and the hundreds of other horses that have and will continue to teach me to ride; I am nothing.”
Raven Elisabeth Johnson
Lettie looking lovely yesterday in foster with Tina F.
She is adoptable now. She is a Morgan cross type mare of about 14.1hh. She is lovely and advanced beginner friendly undersaddle for trail.
She is 11 years old.
Her fee is $350
SO WHAT DO I FEED THIS THING?
Each horse is an individual and has different needs. …Several factors come into play. Is your horse old or young, what breed, what state do you live in? These questions represent just a few of the issues affecting how to keep your horse in good weight.
Provide plenty of roughage
Horses were designed to exist on forage and forage is the VERY BEST thing they can eat! The equine digestive system is designed to efficiently use the nutrition in grassy stalks. A horse should eat one to two percent of his body weight in roughage every day.This means that if at all possible, your horse should exist SOLELY on grass and hay. The average horse does NOT need grain; good quality hay and pasture is quite enough to maintain them in a healthy manner. Grazing and walking here or there all day long is the most natural way for a horse to live and will keep their digestive system in the best order. Horses who are grazing on good pasture the majority of the day don’t need much hay, if any. .
If the pasture is thin or If hay isn’t enough, grain can be added, but the bulk of a horse’s calories should always come from roughage. During winter time or a drought, it will probably be necessary to supplement pasture grazing with a good quality hay.
Horses who spend much of their time in stalls aren’t doing much grazing, but their natural feeding patterns can be replicated by keeping hay in front of them for most of the day. They can nibble at it for a while, take a break and snooze for a while, and then come back to it; keeping some constantly moving through their systems. If you must feed your horse grain, give it in multiple smaller meals rather than one large one. Most horses kept in stalls are given grain twice a day for the convenience of their human caretakers. This is not optimal and a horse should not consume more than 3 pounds of grain per feeding. If for some reason you must give your horse a large quantity of grain, please consider an additional lunchtime feeding. Small, frequent meals are not only more natural for the horse, but they also allow the horse to better digest and use his food. When a horse is fed too much at once, the food isn’t digested as effectively and there is serious risk of colic as well. Often horses fed large amounts at one time will shed a good portion of the grain, undigested, in their poo.
With grain, less is always more and the hope is that a horse can still be maintained primarily on forage. Start with the minimum amount for 3-4 weeks and adjust it upward if necessary. With a little bit of tweaking, you’ll find the right balance of pasture, hay, and grain for your particular horse’s needs. (we have posted a separate article on how to safely change a horse’s feed or adjust up or down) A good quality, forage based grain is the best with a low NSC number (non structural carbohydrates). The NSC number will ideally be 14% or less. We like to recommend Kalm & EZ, or Nutrena Safechoice, but there are others out there that are adequate. Sweet feed is not a good choice for a horse. Many many studies now indicate that sweet feed over time puts a horse at a much greater risk for Equine Cushing’s Disease. Additionally, corn is very hard on the equine digestive system, and contains way too much starch. We know many who will argue they have always fed sweet feed and been just fine. Well our great grandparents always smoked too….
Measure feed accurately and feed consistently
Start off measuring your horse’s feed by weight using a kitchen or postal scale, or using the scale at your local feed store. Once you figure out how much your horse’s typical ration weighs, measure that portion at feeding time using a scoop, coffee can, or whatever suits your needs.
The average thousand-pound horse who relies on hay for all his forage typically eats fifteen to twenty pounds of hay per day. Most hay is dispensed in flakes; however, the amount of hay in a flake can vary greatly, depending on the size of the flake and the kind of hay. If you don’t know how much the bales of hay you are feeding weigh, you can use a bathroom scale to check, then feed that portion of a bale that your horse needs, without waste. You would be surprised how many owners contact us each week about having trouble keeping weight on their horse. Most of the time, it is just a case of them not understanding how to properly portion the horse’s feed.
Feed and Exercise
If you have just finished working your horse, you should not feed them for at least an hour. If you have worked them hard, it is best to wait 2-3 hours before feeding. Having the digestive system full of food gives the horse’s lungs less room to work, and makes oxygenation harder on him. In addition, blood flow is diverted away from the digestive organs during periods of exertion, so gut movement slows and colic may be a real danger.
Minerals
ALL horses should have access to a good, free choice, loose mineral. If you cannot manage this type of mineral, it is VERY important that they have access to BOTH a red block mineral and a plain salt mineral whenever they wish. DO NOT add minerals to your horse’s feed. You can actually overdose a horse on minerals and cause serious physical harm. Left to his own devices, very very rarely will a horse overdose himself.
First time horse owners can have a tricky time figuring this feeding thing out. We are always available to answer questions to the best of our ability should you need some input. 🙂
(pictured is Splenda, one of our adoptable now horses)
Rita had a visit today from a HOP friend! Beckie commented how sweet mama and baby are!
This Christmas event will be spectacular! Please consider attending! Not only will it have amazing food and entertainment, as well as a photographer on site for themed photo booth images, there will be a silent auction and all funds raising will benefit Heart of Phoenix and Itty Bitty Kitty Committee.
A Merry Menagerie Masquerade Ball
December 12, 2015 at 7pm
Masks are preferred, though how long one wears the mask is open to interpretation. A variety box of masks will be at the door to choose from, as well. Dress is Costume (think Roaring 20’s, Period pieces, etc) or Cocktail attire.
The Ball is Open to the Public, and it will be an event to remember!
$50 per ticket, $95 per couple
This elegant affair will feature a fantastic meal from the Chef of the Maylon House, Cash bar, Live Entertainment from The River Magic Chorus, A wonderful selection of Silent Auction items and dancing following the meal with DJ Express until 11pm.
Proceeds from this event benefit the all-volunteer work of Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue and Itty Bitty Kitty Committee provide to the counties of West Virginia when animals are in need.
Consider a Table of Eight for $400 to include your closest friends for this worthwhile fundraiser.
https://www.facebook.com/rivermagicchorus?fref=ts
For Corporate Sponsorship Inquiries, please email equinerescue@live.com
1742 Midland Trail, US-60, Milton, WV 25541
The Maylon House
Purchase tickets: https://heartofphoenix.yapsody.com/event/book/21785/135290
https://www.facebook.com/events/579041612231617/
Guess who is headed home to her foster mama?
Some may remember this little dog who was posted as part of our “The Dogs No one Wanted” album months ago after waiting over a year for a home. . .
She finally found a home with our farrier’s family and is spoiled 🙂
Thinking about What to Give as a Gift for Christmas but really want something meaningful and unique?
Consider any of our One Size Can Fit all options
1. Turner’s Story: A children’s book even adults will appreciate that was beautifully illustrated by a volunteer in Virginia and written by a HOP Officer to creatively tell the story of Turner!
$10 shipped
2. A Hoodie, Sweatshirt or T-Shirt showing support for equine rescue
$20-$50 shipped
3. A compelling 2016 Calendar shot this year showing rescue horses that are both adopted or rehabilitating within Heart of Phoenix
$20 shipped
Equinerescue@live.com to purchase via paypal or
visit http://www.wvhorserescue.org/shop.html
4-year-old Mare near Portsmouth, Ohio is in need of a home.
She is not broke to ride. Sweet as can be and loves attention, grooming, etc.
No fee to approved applicant.
A. Vet Reference name and number
B. Farrier Name and Number
C. Facility Photos
D. Currently Owner Horse photos
E. Overview of experience
You must complete this short application: http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/hHRDs42e7cSr
Sometimes we run up against a person who asks why we devote so much time and resources on behalf of horses instead of humans?
Recently a friend of one of our officers made a post that covers this question very eloquently.
“God breaks all of our hearts in DIFFERENT ways. We need people with broken hearts for the homeless, for animals, for children, for addicts, for criminals, for refugees and so on. He knows that we cannot handle letting it break for all of these things because we would just crumble. It ALL breaks God’s heart. The only way we humans will ever fix anything is if we take that heartbreak and work to make it better. If we stop questioning everyone else’s cause and pour ourselves into ours, what a difference we could make in this broken old world.”
The point here is not the belief in God (though many of us do). It is the fact that we are humans who cannot possibly change everything that is broken in this mess of a world.
We have always said on this page, we do NOT just help equines. We help their humans too. Though the most attention-generating stories are the ones where we take in a drastically starving creature who has been seized from a cruel person, that is not all we do.
We provide feed and hay assistance to those owners who are in a temporary hardship. We locate a veterinarian who will go to an area that doesn’t have service. We assist with teeth floating and gelding services for the elderly on limited income. We provide education and advice for the owner that has run up against something outside of their knowledge base. We network horses into safe homes when a loving owner can no longer provide for their beloved friend. We educate animal control officers so that they will be able to do their jobs more safely. We cover the cost of euthanasia when an owner can’t. We do all we can on behalf of horses AND their humans.
NO ONE can do EVERYTHING. But WE CAN ALL DO SOMETHING.
Make a difference where you are. It ALL counts.
ION Clay Creations has donated this lovely handmade sculpture of Margarita for our A Merry Menagerie Masquerade Ball’s silent auction.
This adorable piece captures a moment with Rita right after her surgery.
Rita has finally just come home with her Mama, Sangria, after 25 days at Rood and Riddle, and her prognosis is bright!
This item will also be an online Silent Auction item.
Bids will start now and go through 6pm December 12th. The highest bid will be posted as the starting bid to top at the Ball. If no bids top the online bid, then this gorgeous clay model will go to the winning online bidder!
No minimum starting bid.
Our new Shop right here on Facebook for HOP merchandise!
https://www.facebook.com/HeartofPhoenixEquinerescue/shop
When you’re shopping on Amazon this Christmas Season, please remember to use the url smile.amazon.com to order and select Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue as your charity. If you do, Amazon, at no cost to you, donates a portion of your purchase price back to us!
Thank you so much for your continued support!
