Thursday, July 31, 2014

7-25-14

Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc. HONORED AS 2014 TOP-RATED NONPROFIT by GreatNonprofits.org.  

Award is based on Positive Online Reviews

We received the offical notification today that EqWBR has been honored with a prestigious 2014 op-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.
We are excited to be named a Top-Rated 2014 Nonprofit,” says Christine Griffin, Founder & President.  We are proud of our accomplishments this year, including the rescue and rehabilitation of Babee who was almost euthanized because of severe founder and Lucky who was severely emaciated due to neglect and is going through rehab right now.  Additionally we have networked to find homes for several horses in need and worked with other rescues to transport horses out of harms way.  The Top-Rated Nonprofit award was based on the large number of positive reviews that EqWBR received – reviews written by volunteers, donors and clients. People posted their personal experience with the nonprofit. 
While the Top-Rated Awards run through the end of October, EqWBR was part of the inaugural group to qualify for the year. In addition, we’ll been added to GreatNonprofits #GivingTuesday Guide—an interactive guide to top nonprofits throughout the years. Look for this near the holidays.
“Savvy donors want to see the impact of their donations more than ever,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, “People with direct experience with EqWBR have voted that the organization is making a real difference.”
Being on the Top-Rated list gives donors and volunteers more confidence that this is a credible organization. The reviews by volunteers, clients and other donors show the on-the-ground results of this nonprofit. This award is a form of recognition by the community.

About GreatNonprofits
GreatNonprofits is the leading site for donors and volunteers to find reviews and ratings of nonprofits. Reviews on the site influence 30 million donation decisions a year. Visit www.greatnonprofits.org for more information.

Yay! Look at Lucky and Duncan after 4 weeks.

Hi all,

Time for some great news!!!    It has been 4 weeks since we rescued Lucky (formerly Frosty) and Duncan from a neglectful situation in Camp Verde, AZ.  Lucky was so thin he was rated 1 out of 9 points on the Henneke Body Condition Score and we were worried about even transporting him.

But look at him now!


He still has another 100 pounds to go, but he is definitely starting to fill out and no longer gets sores when he lays down.   Blind in his left eye, he gets around very well in the pasture with the other horses and we see him kicking up his heals from time to time. 
This photo taken 7-11-14

His pasture mate Duncan is almost back to a normal weight and is looking very good.   He has buddied up with Gwen who has been lonely since Max's passing. 
Duncan was given to us with his registration papers and we contacted each of the owners in the paperwork and his breeder to let them know he was here.   I am happy to say that we received donations from each of them to help get his health back on track and they are now on our mailing list to keep up to date with his progress.  

We thank everyone who has donated to help these sweet horses regain their health and wellbeing.  Your heartfelt donations are what allow us to change the lives of neglected horses and others in need.   We can't do this without you!  

You are equine angels!!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  

Christine
Christine Griffin,
Founder & President
Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc.
760-703-4860


Donations are always needed so please consider helping the horses today.  Click the button to donate via PayPal or you can mail a check to EqWBR, PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ  85937.



We are a 501c3 public charity #45-2835562 donations are tax-deductible.



Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Moose will be missed. He brought SO many such joy!

Rescued with two other horses no longer wanted by Knott's Berry Farm, the three arrived at Equine WellBeing Rescue on May 5, 2012.  After well over a decade of pulling the stage coach and carriages their services were no longer needed and they were replaced by younger, healthier horses and sent to sale without a second thought or care.       Click to read about their rescue.

5-5-12 Marshall, Sheriff & Pistol arrive at Equine WellBeing Rescue
This big red thoroughbred we named Sheriff stood over 17 hands tall (that's 68 inches) at his whithers, that's four inches taller than me.  He was huge but definitely a gentle giant. A little underweight, feet in bad shape after wearing shoes for years and some mild arthritis he was noticeably relaxing as each new day arrived and he realized he didn't have to work anymore.

Over the next few months of his rehabilitation we found he was rideable. Off his pain and ulcer meds, his feet healing he was starting to enjoy life.  Years of being part of team he loved to be with the other horses and many times we would see them running in the pasture nose to tail as though they were still in a harness. Old habits are hard to break but a least he could run free, kick up his heals and enjoy life.
10-24-12 Sheriff leaving to live with the Watts family
In the fall a wonderful family was looking for their first horse and were not intimidated by his size. Taking him on a trial period, I soon got a call from Heather saying they wanted to adopt him. He would have a new life with Heather, her husband Adrian and young teens Noah, Liam and Anna in a small community in the mountains of San Diego.
2012 walking with Anna to his new home
They soon changed his name to Moose and like so many others horse people they got more horses to keep him company and so the family could all ride together. Feeding, daily chores, scooping manure, grooming they all shared in the work and the joy.
8-25-13 Anna feeding Moose and loving her big guy
1-10-14 Noah who now wants to become a veterinarian 
10-28-12 Heather and Moose shortly after he arrived

4-6-14 Adrian and the kids on one of their last rides with Moose
He was a horse with a sense of humor and joy to have around.  He loved his naps,

8-7-2013 ahhhh.....feels so good!
he loved slurpy kisses,
12-02-2013 
he loved playing freely with his pasture mates,
04-25-14 running with Tigger in the pasture
and he loved his family.
01-30-13 with Anna
The hardest thing about loving a horse is letting them go when it is their time.   Mind willing but body worn out Moose was laid to rest on 7-22-14 surrounded by those who loved him so dearly.  Hearts are heavy and tears are being shed for the loss of this big beautiful red horse who now runs pain free in heaven. His best friend Tippy suffering from old age and severe ringbone joined Moose in heaven yesterday too. This wonderful family is mourning them both.  Best of buds on earth, now together with the Lord.
Moose and Tippy running in the pasture.
Moose brought joy to SO many.  Over a decade at Knott's Berry Farm where people got the experience of riding in a stage coach or a romantic white carriage pulled by this big red, regal horse. He spent a short time with us and we were so blessed for that experience and then he went on to become a beloved member of an amazing family who gave this old man a wonderful last few years filled with unparalleled love and retirement few horses are lucky enough to enjoy. 

7-22-14 RIP Moose
The support of our many followers who donated to help us rescue the amusement park horses in 2012 gave this sweet, gentle giant the love he deserved till his final day and much beyond.  We can't thank you enough for helping give him a happy, peaceful and loving retirement.  We can't thank the Watt's family, Adrian, Heather, Noah, Liam and Anna enough for making him part of your family and giving him so much of your love.  I know your hearts are breaking now, but you gave him SO much and I know he loved you all with all his heart.  

God is shining his light on this horse who is loved so much!

Thank you sweet Moose for such wonderful memories.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Update on Lucky (Frosty) AND Duncan - rescued 7-4-14

On July 4th, 2014, Lary and I made a 300 mile round trip to pick up Frosty and a second horse named Duncan that was at the same property. The pictures previously sent to us of Frosty had been taken on 6/28/14 in the dark and he looked bad, but in person, we were shocked at his condition, he barely has just skin hanging from his bones with a body condition score of 1 out of 9.  Body Condition Score link  "BCS1 is extremely emaciated. Spine, ribs, tail head, and hooks and pins are prominent. Bone structure of the whithers, shoulder and neck are easily noticeable. No fatty tissue can be felt." From the pictures below you can see he sadly meets that criteria.

Frosty 7-5-14 Intake photo of spin, hips, tailhead (streaks are fly spray)
He has no top line muscles from his spine or meat covering his ribs, the bones of his pelvis and hip joints are visible with sores on the tips, and his belly is not discernible.
Frosty 7-5-14 Intake phone whithers, shoulder, ribs hips and spine (streaks are fly spray)
The only place he has a little muscle left is a small amount on his chest and thighs, but a horse in good flesh would have his thigh muscles touching each other in the back and you typically cannot see their sheath and belly.  

Frosty 7-5-14 Intake photo from behind
He is blind in his left eye.  I was told that cataracts were the reason and it was several years ago.  While he gets around pretty good, it is important to be talking to a horse with sight deficient so he knows you are approaching and from what side.  Both Max and Tucker had blindness issues so we are familiar with the handling of them.  
Frosty 7-5-14 Intake photo of his blind (left) side
I was told he was 33, but in my years as an equine dental practitioner, I would gauge his age to be closer to 25-28.  We measured him at 15.0 hand high using a professional measuring stick with a level in it for accuracy and using the Purina weight tape he is approximately 835 pounds.  At his height he is at least 200 pounds underweight, 250 for his bone structure would be even better.   We will struggle to rebuild his top line as that is the most difficult area to put muscle back on a horse this emaciated.

The good news is that he is eating many small, frequent meals and has rehydrated with lots of clean, fresh water and electrolytes.  I have been monitoring his manure and it looks good as does his urine.  His gut sounds are very loud and steady.  His mood has picked up and he loved the time I spent yesterday grooming him.   His feet will be done immediately and I am treating the sores on his hips and the scratches on his hind legs (pastern dermatitis).  We will hold off from deworming for a few weeks till he gets some weight on and his condition has stabilized.  It will be hard to know the extent of any organ damage from being this malnourished, but we are very optimistic that he will get most of his health back, it will just take a long time.

I have started giving him limited pasture time while he gets used to roaming with only one eye.  He goes out while I have most of the other horses in stalls eating so they won't bother him.  He needs to learn the perimeter and feel comfortable in the large space then I will let more horse out with him till I am sure he is safe and feels confident in his surroundings.  Today I witnessed him run through the pasture with his head and tail held high and the look of shear joy on his face.  That brought tears to my eyes.

He is an absolute pleasure to have around and shows no signs of missing his old place at all.   With his new life and his new home, we are considering a new name for him....we think he deserves one.  So if you have any suggestions for this noble guy, just send me an email.


In addition to Frosty we rescued Tamarisk Duncan, a 26 year old Morgan horse.  Luckily he was only there for 3 weeks, so his condition is not as bad.   He measured 14.3 hand high and his weight was 840 pounds. It is hard to see in this picture, but his spine area has lost muscle tone and his hips stick out a little and his ribs are visible, but his overall health is much better. His Body Condition Score is 4. We should have weight back in him in several weeks versus several months for Frosty.

Duncan 7-5-14 Intake photo left side

It is quite unusual for a horse to come with any paperwork, so we were please when his registration papers, some vet receipts and prior sales/ownership transfer document were included.  I have been able to contact a few of the prior owners and even spoke with the breeder this morning who thanked me repeatedly for letting her know where he is and all about him as did the others I spoke with. 

For the most part he has been a well loved family horse with a few bumps in the road, but he is highly rideable, steady on trail and no bad habits.   We should be able to find a good home for him as soon as his weight is back on.   Our volunteer and friend Donna may just have found the horse she has been looking for! 
Duncan 7-5-14 Intake photo right side

In a surprise turn of events, the man that owned him before he ended up in his most recent bad situation is going to come and visit him tomorrow.   He will not be taking Duncan back, but wanted to visit with him since he will be in the area.  He realized that he missed the seemingly obvious signs that he was not leaving Duncan in a place he would be well cared for and regrets it.  

Their living conditions were horrible and even though the lady 'loved' the horses, loving and providing appropriately for them are two different things.  Sadly she still has other animals and there is really no way to prevent her from taking on more.  I pray that she does not take on anymore horses, ever. 

We thank everyone so much for the huge outpouring of support to help these horses.  With the recent passing of Max and his medical bills, we hadn't planned on taking on another horse so soon, let alone two. But I think Max was the angel that brought these sweet boys to our attention and with your donations we were able to save them.   

They will need on going care so if you would like to make a donation to help them or the other horses at EqWBR the funds are put to very good use so we can continue the provide quality and loving care for our other oldsters: Autumn, Danny, Fancy, Gwen, Ruby and youngsters Liam and Babee as long as they need.

You can mail a check to PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ 85937 or click the donate button to use PayPal or a credit card.  



Thank you again!   And don't forget to email me name suggestions!

Christine
Christine Griffin
Founder & President
760-703-4860
Christine@EquineWellBeing.com 

EqWBR is a 501c3 Public Charity Nonprofit IRS #45-2835562  Donations are tax-deductible

Please 'Like' our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/EquineWellBeingRescue

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Frosty needs our help ASAP! Skinny & in a hoarding situation.

picture taken 7-2-14 of Frosty
I responded to an email of an older malnutritioned horse needing immediate help on the 1st and spoke to a wonderful woman, I will call her E for privacy, who went to visit a friend and was shocked at the deterioration of this horse.   The owner agreed to let her step in and help.  E spoke to several local rescues and none were able to take Frosty, but one gave her suggestions of how to help get weight back on with soaked pelleted foods.   Yesterday, we bought those feeds for Frosty with the help of their local feed store since the other rescue did not.

Our initial goal was to help stabilize his condition and get some weight back on him because the owner didn't have the funds for the feed, but was willing to mix it, soak it and feed it.  In the meantime we were going to contact more local rescues to see if they could step in and help.


7-2-14 Frosty
This changes the matter to an urgent one.  We can no longer wait to see if some other group is willing to step in and oversee his recovery.  Even though this is a holiday weekend, we are hoping to go get Frosty and make the 300 mile round trip to Camp Verde to do so.  E is going to talk to the owner to relinquish Frosty to us and once he is safe, E will work with the authorities and family to get more help for this woman.   Frosty's safety is very important and working with people with such illnesses is a balancing act that requires finesse.

With a couple days of good feed in his system and slightly cooler days these next few days, transport should not put him at further risk.

We need immediate funds for transport, medical care (vet check & blood work) and ongoing food needs.  If you can donate to help Frosty we truly appreciate at it.  Sadly it is the passing of Max that gives us the room to help another horse in desperate need.

UPDATE as of 1pm today (7-3-14)  I was informed that Frosty is blind in one eye AND there is a second older horse named Duncan, mid 20's Morgan gelding, that the owner just today agreed to let leave with Frosty when we come to pick him up tomorrow.   Yes, that means we will have two additional horses to care for in addition to the other eight here already.    

You can click to donate through PayPal or send a check to PO Box 2722, Snowflake, AZ  85937.



Let's get Frosty and Duncan their independence on the Independence Day holiday weekend!

Thank you so much for helping these sweet horses.  Your generosity sustains these horses!

Christine

Christine Griffin,
Founder & President
Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc.
760-703-4860

We are a 501c3 public charity #45-2835562 donations are tax-deductible.