Equine WellBeing Rescue, Inc.: Adoption Changed His Life!

Last year we helped network to find home for four Tennessee Walking Horses and all are in very loving homes. One of the adopters posted on her Facebook her thoughts on her horse as he is getting ready to start a wonderful training program. I share her thoughts with her permission. They lifted my spirits, I think they will lift yours!

She wrote, "As I'm about to send Rainbow's Midnight Riot off for training, I can't help but reflect on the path this horse has taken over the past 6 months, and I continue to be amazed at how his eyes tell me everything. He came to us in June of last year as a "rescue". He has spent the past 6+ months here adjusting to a totally different life. At age 10 he parted company with his mother and a month later with his herd -- his lifetime companions. A black horse and still bearing the thick winter coat he put on up north, he arrived under the stewardship of Christine Griffin on a dusty 100+ degree June day here in the valley. I am thankful to Angie for giving him a place to land, as there was no room in the inn at the ranch where my other horses were boarded at the time. Lacking muscle tone and with a dry dull coat that smelled thickly of urine, he bravely stepped off the trailer into a new life. The first order of business was his feet, which were very overgrown and misshapen (we are still working on the shape and flat soles). I even offered to pay his trimmer extra for sticking it out on his first trim. He was bargy and rude -- knocking us down, yanking his feet away, and threatening to lie down on top of us. The vet took on his teeth, which hadn't been done in 6 years. He was wormed, had vaccinations, and was started on supplements. The winter coat stayed all summer, bleaching red in the sun and then falling out in clumps leaving him nearly bald. A stubble-length summer coat grew in for a month, fell out, and was replaced with a solid black, soft, glossy winter coat -- right on time. While he clearly enjoyed to be groomed, he was also distrustful and leery. The look in his eye was cold. Putting a halter on him initially required a high degree of speed and skill as he would catch it in his mouth and refuse to let go. After spending a too-short time with Jacob he came back a little better -- no more biting the halter and more respectful. Just teaching him to lead properly was a new experience for me. To my great frustration he would grow roots and refuse to move his feet no matter how much prodding and pulling I did. It seemed that when he finally had enough and moved a foot it was either a well-placed stomp on my toes or he would just drop a shoulder, push me off, and barge away. But over time this horse has changed ... he has shown himself to be largely quiet, brave, and gentle. He is still somewhat stoic but the look in his eye has softened. He spends most of his days in a herd, which he seems to enjoy most of all. When I work with him on the ground he shows me that he can master what he is taught. He has shown me that he won't be forced, bribed, punished, or coerced into action, but he will demonstrate his coach-ability and intelligence if treated fairly, with patience, understanding, and heart. I am very thankful to everyone that has helped me with this horse on his journey thus far. I am happy to soon put him in the care of Robin for training and, although we will really miss him, I look forward to seeing where she will take him."

We can't thank Monique enough for opening up her heart and home to this horse in need.

I would also like to acknowledge the A Home For Every Horse Program (AHFEH). As a member rescue we are able to post our adoption ads on Equine.Com EquiSearch at no charge, Purina gave us coupons for 20 free bags of Senior Feed and Weathabeeta gave those adopted horses AHFEH blankets (as shown). Special thanks to Mariah Hammerschmidt who administers AHFEH and has been a huge help to EqWBR.

With your support and that of AHFEH, we are able to help these happy endings come true!

Thank you ALL so very much!

Christine

Christine Griffin, Founder & President
Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc.
A 501c3 Public Charity
760-703-4860

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Checks can be sent to PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ 85937.
We are a 501c3 Public Charity #45-2835562 so your donations are tax-deductible.

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Members of: Unwanted Horse Coalition, Homes for Horses Coalition, A Home for Every Horse program, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assoc., Fleet of Angels and many more.

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