Happy for the horses thanks to YOU!

Today cold weather moves in and the snow is on its way and I find myself relieved that Fancy will not have to deal with the winter storm in her advanced state of cancer. She is safe and warm in heaven and totally out of pain.

As this year comes to an end I was hit pretty hard with the number of horses that crossed the rainbow bridge this year.  Though I miss them, I realize I should be happy and celebrate how together we made their lives better, provided the care they needed and the love they yearned for if only for a few days.   

They all had maladies, many sick and in pain being neglected by others.   Some rescued by others then coming to us for their final days and others rescued by us and in the care of our wonderful foster or adopted families who stepped in to help simply because we asked.  

God put them in our path knowing they would get their needs met and brought home to heaven where they belonged because it was their time and he wanted their suffering and pain to end.  

We are able to provide for these horses and others because of YOU.    Your love for animals abounds.  Financial support allows us to help and appropriately care for each and every one, physical help with transport, housing, care giving, foster or adoption allows us to help horses all over, volunteers help us sustain here at the ranch and your moral support helps me carry on when the going gets tough especially those days I want to throw in the towel.  

Together we enriched all their lives if only for a short time.   Now this year comes to an end I want to thank you for all you have done to help us help these horses and honor their needs.  Those blessed with a final act of kindness and those still in our care. 

As we say goodbye to 2014 I am happy for the horses and it is thanks to you!

THANK YOU!

​Thanks from Autumn, Danny, Duncan, Gen, Gwen, Jewel, Liam, Lucky, Nikia and Ruby who your donations continue to support and provide for.

Thanks from Maverick, Tucker, Max, Babee, Badger, Moose, Sheree, Morning Glory & Fancy​ who were loved and were released from pain. 

Thanks from those unknown who will need us in the future.

Happy New Year and blessings to you in 2015!

Christine & Lary Griffin

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help the horses.  Checks can be mailed to EqWBR, PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ 85937 and if you want to use PayPal just click the donate button.  We are a 501c3 Public Charity so your donations are tax-deductible.

Farewell our little miss Fancy pants.....

God looked around the garden and saw an empty space.

He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful for he only takes the best.

He saw the road was getting rough, and the hills were hard to climb.

So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be thine."

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone;

For part of us went with you, last night when God called you home.

Fancy was the kindest, gentlest soul. She tolerated cleaning and treating her melanoma's without a fuss, snuggled and loved in such a tender way.   Our hospice care could no longer help her pain and infection and last night she crossed the rainbow bridge.  This is my favorite photo of her and so appropriate as she was laid to rest shortly after sunset last night as the stars welcomed her to heaven.

Fancy you touched our lives in ways you will never know.  We love you so much.   My heart aches and tears are falling knowing I can never wrap you in my arms again.

I love you my little miss Fancy pants.......

4 Donkeys need a home asap!

Update 12-23-14 - 

Thank you all who shared this need and responded to the call for help.   We got this out on Facebook and put an ad in the local Craigslist and some wonderful families stepped forward to provide home.  We fielded over a dozen calls and  many emails.  Good news is two were placed together with a local family and they are keeping two.  Thank you all!

A local family has fallen on hard times.  Homes have been found for their horses and now we want to help them find homes for these four lovely donkeys.  Three are Johns (gelded) and one is a Jenny (female).  Ages range from 4 - 12 years old and all are easy to handle.   They have had their feet done regularly and been well cared for but family income has changed and they can no longer afford the high cost of hay.  

If you are interested in any of them please contact me.  They do not need to stay together, but it would be nice.   We are trying to find homes rather than sanctuary because they are all so very sweet.   I think the upper left is the oldest John and the lower right is the youngest John, the top right is the Jenny and bottom left a John, but can verify to anyone truly interested. ​

Please contact me at 760-703-4860 if you are interested in providing a forever home for any of them.   

Thank you!!!!

Christine

Can You Help on this #GivingTuesday?

​Thanksgiving is a time to contemplate things we are thankful for. Equine WellBeing Rescue is deeply grateful that with your generous donations and heartfelt support we have been able directly help 46 horses and indirectly 90 horses for a total so far this year of 136 horses.   Lives YOU have helped change.

This is also an occasion when people consider making year end donations to their favorite organizations and helping those charities whose missions they support.  Along with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving is "#Giving Tuesday".

​

This #Giving Tuesday we ask you to please consider making a donation to Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc., so we can continue our mission of helping horses in need and supporting those we currently provide for including Autumn, Danny, Duncan, Fancy, Gen, Gwen, Jewel, Liam, Lucky, Nikia & Ruby.

We started 2014 with seven horses at the ranch and since then there have been:

11 new horses to EqWBR, 3 of our horses have been adopted,1 is in foster care.

5 horses are currently being assessed for their immediate needs and possible homes.

18 horses were individually networked into new homes. Behind the scenes we assisted two groups of 20 horses, one of 10 horses and another group of 40.

3 horses were in an emergency situation and we provided food so they could remain in their homes. We provided medical care for 4 horses in their homes.

Maverick, Tucker, Max, Babee, Moose and Sheree, beloved horses we very sadly said good-bye to after struggles with various illnesses.

As you can see it has been a busy year and donated funds have carefully gone to provide for many horses in serious need of assistance.  Your donations will continue providing for our current residents and to assist others horses that through no fault of their own have needs.  

Here are some examples of how your donations can help:

$5 fruits, veggies and other treats, hoof pick or medical supplies.

$10 deworming medicine, large salt block, bucket, lead rope or medical supplies.

$20 hay for 1 horse for 1 week or a bag of hay pellets or beet pulp, fly mask or halter.

$25 a bag of senior horse feed, bag of rice bran or bottle of mild pain med/sedative.

$35 one hoof trim, one bottle of ulcer medicine or tube of oral pain medicine.

$50 feed 2 for 1 1/2 weeks, a container of joint supplement, barn & medical supplies.

$75 winter blanket, one vet call fee or one pipe panel/gate for fencing and stalls.

$100 hay for one growing horse (5 bales month), 4 senior feed or medical supplies.

$200 sponsor hay, feed pellets, supplements & 1/2 trim (done every other month) for one elderly horse at the sanctuary.

$385 cost to trim all horses at one time.

$1040 sponsor hay for one horse for a year.

$2400 sponsor hay, feed & supplements, trims, all horses for one month.

$2800 sponsor one horses food and health care needs for one year.

Funds are also needed for emergency medical care, to rescue horses from auction, transportation, foster care, shelter in place, training, etc.  Donations allow us to extend help to more horses and meet our mission.  

No donation is too small and donations combined make the difference for SO MANY HORSES.

                                       

On this #Giving Tuesday, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to EqWBR.   

Checks can be mailed to PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ 85937-6119, credit cards can be used by clicking this link:

The horses thank you for making such a huge difference in their lives and we thank you too.   You are a true blessing to them all. 

My very warmest regards,

Christine

Christine Griffin

Founder & President  760-703-4860

​EqWBR is a 501c3 Public Charity #45-2835562 so your donation is tax deductible.​

Jewel Needs Medical Care. Can You Help?

You met Jewel in our last email & Blog post.  We transported her to EqWBR on 10-5-14 and she came to us through a trainer in Prescott, AZ. Her hormones make her so over reactive to touch or sometimes even energy pressure that continued training was not feasible so we have stepped up to help. 

Jewel is a 10 year old Tennessee Walking horse whose registered name is "Im Somethin To Talk About" and a beautiful 'champagne' coloring.   She is so very sweet, she comes when I call her or sometimes as soon as she she's me she comes running.  She stays in the barn the entire time I am doing chores and has a curious nature watching everything I do.  

Upon her arrival we started her on ulcer medication which is precautionary because of the potential stress caused by leaving her life long home in Washington state in May and then time spent around new people and horses at the trainers.  We also started her on a herbal blend that helps many mares with mild hormonal issues.  

After much research, input from others with mares having similar problems and discussion with Dr. Christianson we sent blood to the lab to check her hormone levels which have come back within normal limits.  

The next step is to do an ultra sound to look for cysts or tumors on her ovaries and for any abnormalities in her reproductive organs.  

If we can get her hormone issue diagnosed and the appropriate treatment, she has every chance to live a normal, productive life of a horse.  She is already broke to ride so finding a good adoptive home will be in her future.  But to get to that point we need to go through these diagnostic processes and for those we need to raise funds.  

We have used over $300 so far with medicine, herbs & blood work and the ultra sound and treatment will cost at least that much and more.  Some of the options depending on the results of the ultra sound are hormone medicine called Regumate, remove cysts or tumors, insertion of a marble to stop her cycles and sometimes the only thing that works is spaying (removing the ovaries) and those will need to be done by a vet down in Phoenix.  

Her medical needs can't wait till after the holidays.  Any women who have lived through hormonal issues understand it is not something that can be put off...lol!   We are reaching out to everyone in hopes that you can help us raise these funds so we can get this sweet mare the medical care she needs now.  

If you can help with a donation of any size please mail a check to PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ  85937 or through PayPal using this link   CLICK TO DONATE VIA PayPal

We strive to provide the proper medical care for our horses and with your wonderful support we are able to help so many.  Thank you so very much! 

Wishing you all a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  

Christine

Founder/President

Caregiver

Good news and updates on horses.

At the end of September we had a short visit from long time supporter Johanna who was driving through on her way home from an east coast vacation back to San Diego.  It was so fun to have her visit and see the horses and very sad that it was such a short visit.

October was such a busy month that it went by faster than I ever imagined.   So much news to share, so many updates.  More horses at the ranch, more horses finding new homes and a few other exciting things along the way.  In the midst of all that was going on we tiled our kitchen, made a weekend trip to San Diego and had our best friends came to visit for an extended weekend.

Meet Nikia who had been with us since 2011. She was adopted in early 2012 by a family in Ramona who recently had some personal issues requiring them to move and sadly not be able to take her.  As luck would have it we were in San Diego to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday, so we were able to bring her to Snowflake.  She is available for adoption to an approved home looking for a solid trail horse.  I rode Nikia myself until I got Leroy and she is a total pleasure.   For details contact me.

 

On the way home we swung through Prescott to Chino Valley, AZ to pick up a Tennessee Walking Horse mare that was networked as needing a home.  Meet Jewel a 10 year old amber champagne originally from Washington.   

She has hormonal issues that we are addressing with diagnostics and supplements. We started her treatment with ulcer meds and Mare Magic, a raspberry leaf supplement to help mare's with hormonal cycle issues and next week we will be doing a blood panel to determine if her hormone levels are off.  

Here is a picture of her and Nikia enjoying the wide open spaces in the big pasture. I love the contrast of the dark clouds looming in the background while the sun is shining on their backs.   As they say "poetry in motion".

Jewel's owners had hoped to show her. She is nicely gaited and has pulled carts, bus she didn't do well in the ring so they felt she was better suited for a trail horse.  

Right after returning to the ranch we were contacted by Karen at Equine Voices Equine Rescue south of Tucson to see if we could help with an abandoned horse in Show Low (about 30 miles south of us). We learned that Butterscotch had been left behind when Carissa's neighbors moved from their foreclosed house so she was feeding her and trying to find a home for her.  

This pretty spotted saddle horse, approximately 6-8 years old turned out to be just the right size for Ginny, a retired horsewoman who moved to Arizona from Minnesota.  With trainer Aliki Otey (in above photo), they drove up from Queen Creek, AZ to check this pretty mare out.  Aliki determined she had 5 gaits and with a little tune up, Ginny should be riding her soon.  She is now named Peaches and is training with Aliki and doing awesome.

That same day I spoke to Shannon who had been fostering Triton for us.  He is the yearling colt that we rescued from the pony ride people in Buckeye AZ and has been in her families loving care since September 18th.  Big question of the day, they wanted to know if they could adopt Triton and give him a forever home.  Not much thought needed for that quick answer "YES".  We couldn't be happier that he has the perfect family to thrive after all he has been through already in his young life.

Triton is putting on weight, his mood is awesome and he enjoys playing with his toys and the other horses finally getting to act like a yearling should.   Here he is pictured with Shannon's daughter, Taegen having a spa day!  He now has his own Facebook page click this link Truly Triton's Facebook page  to follow our sweet boy as he grows up.

We also networked to help one of our followers, Nancy (Nan), who lives in central California, find homes for two of her horses.   The first is Gunner a 5 year old Missouri Fox Trotter gelding who had been ridden, but was still considered 'green broke', meaning he just needed more riding miles.  I had gotten a call from Sharon in Lake Elsinore, CA inquiring about Butterscotch.  It turned out Gunner was the perfect horse for her to have a second horse for her girlfriend Carole to ride.  Gunner was adopted on October 18th.

Nan's second horse is a 17 year old former roping champion that has been enjoying barrel racing and other gymkhana events with younger people.  A solid trail horse we are hoping for an adopter who doesn't want to compete with him, but still enjoy all the spunk he has left and years of trail miles ahead.  

Photo's of Jet roping and doing barrels.

On October 15, we received an email through our network of rescues regarding horses that needed help after their owners house burned putting the elderly woman in the hospital.  We contacted Sharyl, the neighbor who had taken the horses in.  Two horses, one more elderly both needing help.  We contacted her feed store and purchased food to last several weeks while the outcome of the horses was determined.  

Your donations allow us have funds to be able to help in these kinds of emergencies which make such a huge difference for the animals. Interestingly these horses were not far from where we picked up Jewel just a few weeks earlier.  

Our sweet cherub Liam, just turned two and celebrated his birthday with his foster family, Jamie, Ellie and Darlene, who are our wonderful neighbors.  I can see Liam in their pasture from the office window playing with Jamie's horse KC and keeping him from being lonely.

We still provide his hay and they take care of his feet while Liam is getting some much needed training out of the deal.   Little Ellie, just a year old herself loves her time with Liam.

Here is Liam with KC.

Look how big he is!

We have some sad news, Angel the sweet little kitty that was lit on fire and thrown from a car succumbed to the severe infection that no drugs seemed to be able to cure.  She was laid to rest earlier this week and they have yet to catch the person that did that.  Our supporters rallied together and donated $700 toward her care including a special bed that was donated to replace the towels she had been laying on.  Dr. Christianson is such a hero in this.  She doesn't have round the clock staff so she had a bed tucked in her office and spent many nights there to care for Angel and with no days off.  I am proud to have this loving veterinarian as our friend and as such a staunch supporter of our rescue. 

Late yesterday I received an exciting email from a representative for Purina Horse Feeds.  They will be featuring Lucky in an article to show his rehabilitation from the emaciated condition he was in when rescued on July 4th, to his fat and healthy condition just two months later.  Earlier this year they sent us coupons for free senior feed through the A Home For Every Horse Program.  We are such a small rescue to be recognized by such a large corporation that I am truly honored and somewhat speechless.  

And today I spoke with a local foster program that uses horses to teach disadvantages youths to love and care for animals as part of their healing process.  They need good and gentle horses to be part of their program and I am confident we can help them find the right match.  Funny thing is they recently moved to a facility we considered buying when we moved here.   It was not what we needed, but I can see how it will be perfect for that program.  

Never a dull moment, nor does it seem time to breath.  Luckily Ginny, Dee and Jamie volunteer to help from time to time and Lary does so much too.  So blessed to have a husband that is so compassionate and caring and has a deep love for horses.   Nov. 9th is our 14 year anniversary and we have lots to be thankful for.  

Thankful also for your support.  The funds you donate are used wisely and you can see how many horses have been helped by you just in these past few months.  If you would like to help with Jewel's veterinary costs, care for the others at the ranch, or funds for emergency needs of horses you can click the donate button or mail a check to PO Box 2722, Snowflake AZ  85937.

We appreciate you each and every one so very much and are honored with your continued support.  

Sending blessings,

Christine

Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc. is a 501c3 Public Charity so your donations are tax-deductible.

Aloha Sheree (formerly Cherry)

Aloha in the Hawaiian language means affection, peace, compassion and mercy. It has also been used in the English language to say "hello" and "goodbye".   So 'ALOHA' is the most fitting thing to be said for our sweet Sheree.

On 9-18-14, we rescued a yearling stud colt named Triton from people running a pony riding service where pictures on their Facebook pages clearly showed horrendous training practices with young, defenseless horses.  We tried to negotiate the release of a yearling filly, but they jacked up the price so we had to walk away.  The picture below shows the makeshift stall and depressed looking filly on that day.  We did not for get her or the other skinny horses left behind.

That same day those sellers posted a Craigslist ad for her asking $700 for a grade filly stating she had ground training. This is the photo they used. She is seven months old and like Triton they were saddling her and probably having kids ride her.

Here is another training photo off their Facebook page, she doesn't look like she is having fun to me.

With the assistance of a wonderful lady named Sheree, who borrowed a trailer and made a rescue trip to purchase this filly on our behalf. We were able to buy her for $400 as they had dropped their price so they could get rid of her fast.  Sheree and her friends braved one of the worst thunderstorms of the season to go get this filly to safety.  Two horses now safe and two more to go.

In the continued rain our newest save began scarfing down her hay only for Sheree to notice that her nose was running and it had bits of chewed hay in it.  She let me know that she had seen the filly cough and we thought perhaps she got some hay up in her sinuses that was slowly draining out.  So she kept a close eye on her and watched for any signs of distress. This filly, who we named Sheree, was very sweet and would follow them around. Was her spirit totally broken or she just listless?

On Sunday, Monique, who adopted TWH Baxter Black last year and facilitated Triton's rescue, along with Shannon who is fostering Triton, made the trip to pick Sheree up and trailer her to HaraNova Ranch where she would be fostered till mid-October. The draining in her nose continued.

I consulted Dr. Kari Christianson about the drainage and we discussed various things it could be, but the most likely was a partial choke like we initially thought.   No emergency call was needed because again she was so calm and did not appear distressed. Monique's called her vet first thing Monday morning for him to come diagnose and treat her symptoms.  Monique let him know that when she drank water, it came right back out her nose. The possibility of a cleft palate seemed much greater and probable, even though it is extremely rare in horses, especially ones this old.

In an effort to research who could treat a cleft palate in the Phoenix area I contacted a fellow rescue and when I described the filly, I was told they knew she had a severe cleft palate because they were asked to take her a year ago by the breeder, but when he found out they would put her down as recommended by their vet, he instead gave the foal to neighbors.  It was verified that those neighbors were in fact the people we bought Triton and Sheree from.  They promised him she would be well cared for the rest of her life.  The photo below is her big, clean stall at HaraNova where she enjoyed fresh water, good food and lots of TLC from the family.

Yesterday was a day from hell on so many levels.  Not only for me, but for all the ladies involved in rescuing Triton and Sheree.  I placed many phone calls to vet specialists and others who have experience with cleft palate horses and the news was not good. Infections and pneumonia are common side affects and in most cases they are unable to recover. We had been told it was a severe birth defect and in fact after seen by the vet, there was a gaping hole between her tongue and sinus on the right side. Not only did she have difficulty eating and drinking but also breathing.

Her cuddly demeanor was in part from her gentle attitude, but mostly because she had a low grade fever and pneumonia and had been sick for some time. Looking at the picture from 9-18-14 above, it's clear she was ill then. The heartbreaking decision to put her down was made and so many tears have been shed since.

These people were so eager for money that they sold her knowing about the huge hole in her mouth and played off her current illness as her being such a gentle horse.  They took the money and watched this filly go down the road without a second thought to their unscrupulous tactics and lies.  We are thankful that her trip was to loving, caring people and not others who would have just sold too because her nose wouldn't stop running.

Sheree meeting Baxter Black

Sheree had 48 hours of tender loving care from Sheree and her family, Shannon, Monique and her family.  I never got to meet our latest rescue and I ache that I never got to hug her and show her love.  Even the vet was hurt by all that had happened to this sweet yearling.

The authorities were notified of the horses in poor health after we rescued Triton.  With the many calls they get and without pictures of the skinny horses on the property the complaint was not processed immediately.  They have since been notified of the death of Sheree and we have been promised it will be looked into. We pray her life will save the others and her death not be in vain.

We incurred unexpected medical bills in addition to the $400 we had to pay to buy her to safety. Any donation to help with these costs (approximately $1000) would be so appreciated. You can  use this donate button

 
or checks can be mailed to PO Box 2722, Snowflake AZ 85937.

I need time to breath, we all need time to grieve.  While I know in my heart God places his beloved horses in our hands because we will do the right thing, that doesn't stop the hurt.  I pray we can help the others left with those people and get through the rest of the year with no more horses crossing the rainbow bridge.  We try very hard to make the best decisions for all those horses in our care.

Special thanks to Monique, Shannon and Sheree along with their families and friends who have helped us rescue these wonderful bundles of joy. I know their hearts are aching too.  

Aloha Sheree!  No more pain sweet girl.

Blessings to you all,

Christine

Triton has pep in his step after just a week!

One week after being rescued, this sweet yearling finally has some energy and we just had to share so you could enjoy him having fun like we have.  

This is what a yearling should be acting like, not cowering in a stall skinny and depressed.  

I have tears in my eyes looking at these pictures.

Shannon and her family are doing such a wonderful job with his refeeding diet, daily care but also providing him the love and care he deserves.   Thank you all for helping us help this sweet baby!

Joy, shear joy!!!!!

Being ridden at less than a year old!!!! Meet Triton.

I saw this Craigslist ad on Facebook with a comment, "can't someone help this horse?". There were lots of remarks and criticism of how wrong it was for these people to have anyone riding this horse at barely a year old.  Lots of snarky comments and a few people offering donations if someone would please just help.  But I saw no one stepping up to help. 

With a little research, I found the Facebook page of these sellers and even more pictures of this fine boned Arabian colt being ridden by different children.  We have erased their name, but noticed the comment with the photo that said "proud mommy". 

Yes, they are proud of the fact they have their pre-teen riding this yearling with a saddle while being ponied.  My heart hurt for this sweet colt.

Located in the western end of Phoenix, about 3 1/2 hours from me, I contacted one of our adopters named Monique, who has grown to be a wonderful friend and asked if she could go get him for us and help till I could make the trip down.  Her reply, "In a heartbeat".   So I contacted the sellers and set up time the following day for Monique to arrive.  Monique asked her friend Shannon to go with her and when Shannon learned the situation she offered to keep him at her house and provide help with initial care. 

Monique was shocked to find Triton much thinner than portrayed, there was a filly was not as bad, but her feet were over long and there were two additional horses on the property that were very malnourished, one bordering on total emaciation.   Monique offered to help those horses, but it was refused. So Triton was loaded on the trailer and at least one of the horses lives was changed for good. We will try again soon to see if they will accept any assistance with the other horses. 

Once safely at Shannon's they were able to really get a look at Triton and we were so sad to see his condition.  His top line is bony, ribs are showing, not much of a butt and he was a little lethargic. These pictures show his condition and you can see how depressed he looks.

For comparison sake, let's take a look at his sire, FA EL Shawan, 2010 Brazilian National Champion and 2011 Arabian Breeders World Cup Gold Champion who sadly died in January of 2013: 

And his dam (mother), Blue Spruce Amazia, who was recently purchased by Dr. Tarig Enaya, the Managing Director of Cisco Saudia Arabia and was shipped to Saudi Arabia the day before we rescued Triton:

These were not back yard breeder horses, these horses are worth tens of thousands of dollars. One has to ask with parentage like that, how does progeny of such a magnificent champion and exquisite mare end up how we found him, huddled in the corner of a make shift stall in the a neighborhood so scary that you wouldn't want to go there by yourself?  

Filly also on the property for sale for a huge amount

Well we don't have an answer for you.  Perhaps the breeder thought he wouldn't make the show circuit, perhaps they he was one of too many foals born that year, who knows.  I placed a call to the original owners who bred this foal and have gotten no answer. I can only hope they still care about him enough to return my call.  

One thing we do know is that he NEVER should have been saddled up and ridden when his bones are still that of a baby and he never should have been sat on like the pictures shown on the business Facebook page of the people who bought him from the breeder.  He is not a pony to be ridden at pony rides.  He was only six months old when they bought him and treated like this for the last year. Who can blame him for being depressed.  Well those days are OVER!

First order of the new day.  A bath and he was a very good boy. So happy to have the dirt of his old life gone forever. 

We have assessed his needs and he is on a special refeeding diet for malnourished horses receiving some alfalfa hay and my favorite, Purina's Enrich Plus.  In a few weeks we will deworm him and as soon as his weight is good and system healthy he will need to be castrated.  He will then come to the ranch in Snowflake to spend the winter to just hang out being a horse.  Next year as a two year old we can work on his ground training and in the meantime look for the perfect long term home for this sweet colt.

I doubt we will ever truly know his story, but we have bits and pieces we can put together and guess. The good news is he has a bright future and a long time before he will be ridden again.  Who knows, he may even be another one of our horses that competes in the Tevis Cup endurance race one day.

Most of you know we had to release Babee from the pain of her severely foundered feet on the 13th of September and then just a few days later I felt the call to save this baby.  Still mourning her loss and struggling through the day, I firmly believe Babee wanted us to help this 'baby' and give him the love and care he needs.

If you would like to make a donation to help Triton and the other horses at EqWBR you can see we will put them to very good use.  Checks can be mailed to EqWBR, PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ 85937 and if you want to use PayPal just click the donate button.  We are a 501c3 Public Charity so your donations are tax-deductible.

We thank you all very much for you continued support.   This is a team effort and you are part of a wonderful team.   Stay tuned for updates on Triton and the rest of the herd.

Love from Autumn, Danny, Duncan, Fancy, Gen, Gwen, Liam, Lucky, Ruby and now Triton!

Thunder is the sound of her running in heaven. RIP Babee.

Saying goodbye is the hardest thing to do and this past weekend we had to say goodbye to Babee. Recent xrays of her severely foundered hooves showed the coffin bone almost breaking through the sole of her foot and she was in great pain. This was the decision recommended by Dr. Christianson who was instrumental in her rescue and supported by our farrier who has seen others suffer from this.

We rescued her on 4/17/14 and she has been given much love, been able to roam our pastures with our other horses and had many moments of freedom where she seemed to dance with joy.

Brushed and groomed, fluffed and buffed, her last day she also got to eat all those food forbidden for a founder horse.  Apples, carrots, alfalfa and sweet feed were all savored with joy.

Somehow I just think she knew. She hated having her feet handled anymore, spent time by herself away from the herd and did all she could to keep weight off her front hoof.

Our hearts are heavy and the barn seems so different without her there, but I know she is pain free and with friends that went before her.    Rest in peace our beloved Babee.   You taught us so much and touched many hearts very deeply.  You will always be loved!

Thank you all for your support and remember the moments of happiness and love that filled these last few months for this very precious mare.      Run Babee Run!!!!!               2007 to 9-13-14