Look What You've Made Possible! Reba & Spanky's Amazing Progress ❤️

 

Dear Friends,   We have some wonderful news to share, and YOU helped make it happen! Over the past few months, four senior horses have come into the care of Equine WellBeing Rescue. Each arrived with different needs, challenges, and health concerns. Today, we are happy to report that Reba, Spanky, Chapps, and Kit Kat are all doing well! We want to share their progress with you because your generosity has played such an important role in their recovery.   Reba — 143 Pounds Gained and a Whole New Attitude!   When Reba arrived on August 14, just over ten weeks ago, she weighed only 886 pounds. At 15.2 hands tall, her body condition score was a heartbreaking 2 out of 9 on the Henneke scale. For a horse of her size and build, we set a healthy goal weight of 1,050 pounds.   Today, Reba weighs 1,029 pounds!   That's an incredible 143-pound gain, averaging approximately 14 pounds per week! She's now just 21 pounds away from her goal.   Thanks to your donations, we've been able to provide the specialized nutrition she desperately needed, including as much as 20 pounds of senior feed daily. We've recently begun reducing that amount as her appetite has naturally decreased and she approaches her ideal weight. She's also received dental care, hoof trims, vaccinations, and veterinary examinations. Dr. Laird examined her on October 12 and was very pleased with her progress. But perhaps the most wonderful change isn't visible on the scale.   Reba's personality has blossomed!   The mare who was once food-aggressive, pushy on a lead line, and prone to swinging her hindquarters or kicking out has become much calmer and kinder. She now waits patiently at her stall gate for breakfast and dinner. She is learning to trust us, respect boundaries, and enjoy life without constantly worrying about her next meal.   And she has friends!   Reba has settled in beautifully with Spanky, Chapps, and Kit Kat. She and Kit Kat have become particularly close companions.   There was a time when we wondered whether Reba would ever truly fit into our herd. Today, watching her peaceful interactions with her new friends brings us so much joy.   Her before-and-after photographs tell an amazing story, but her transformation goes far beyond the weight she's gained. Spanky — An Old Gentleman Who Beat the Odds   Spanky arrived on June 25, along with Chapps and Kit Kat. The oldest of the three, he's also the leader of their little herd.   Their journey to the rescue was challenging. Temperatures were in the 90s, following days of hot weather, and we took extra precautions to keep the horses comfortable during transport. We stopped frequently for water and rest, turning what should have been a four-hour drive into more than six hours.   By the following day, we knew something wasn't right with Spanky. We carefully monitor food and water consumption with every new arrival, and Spanky was doing very little of either. Concerned about dehydration and possible colic, I checked his vital signs, and we took him to Dr. Laird.   That's when we discovered something we hadn't been told.   Spanky has atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart rhythm disorder.   Had we known about his heart condition beforehand, we would have been concerned about bringing him to our elevation here in Snowflake. But he was already here, and returning wasn't an option.   As often happens in rescue, we had to figure out how to give him the best possible care with the information we were only now discovering.   We also learned that Spanky had very few remaining molars. He simply couldn't chew hay or the whole grains that had been sent with him. Much of that food was passing through his digestive tract without being adequately processed.   No wonder he was underweight!   We immediately switched him to an easy-to-eat senior feed formulated for older horses with dental challenges.   And what a difference it made!   Spanky has gained almost 50 pounds!   When Dr. Laird examined him on October 12, she thought he looked wonderful. Even his heart rate had improved, and she felt he had adjusted well to his new environment and elevation.   Woot Woot! What wonderful news for our old gentleman! Four Horses, Four Success Stories   Chapps has also overcome some health challenges since his arrival, and Kit Kat has been doing wonderfully.   Seeing all four of these horses healthy, comfortable, and enjoying their lives is exactly why we do this work.   And it's exactly what your donations make possible.   You've helped provide specialized senior feeds, supplements, medications, dental and hoof care, veterinary examinations, and the daily attention these older horses need.   We got them where they need to be. Now comes the equally important job of keeping them there.   Winter Is Coming, and Our Seniors Need Your Help   Here in Snowflake, Arizona, we've already experienced two very cold, wet storms, including severe hail and even an EF1 tornado nearby. More rain is forecast, and we're preparing for what could be another challenging winter.   Cold, wet weather is especially hard on older equines. Maintaining their weight, comfort, and overall health requires good nutrition, medication when needed, shelter, and careful daily monitoring.   We currently care for eight elderly horses over the age of 20, including five over the age of 25.   All eight require specialized senior feeds and supplements. Seven horses receive daily medications for pain management associated with various ailments, and several are also being treated for Cushing's disease (PPID).   Our senior feed costs $25–$30 per bag, and we go through approximately one bag every single day.   That's $175–$210 every week for senior feed alone, before supplements, medications, veterinary care, or the many other costs of caring for our horses, donkeys, and minis. As a volunteer-run organization, we do not have staff salaries. Donations go toward the care and needs of the equines who depend on us.   Unfortunately, donations are down 44% compared with last year.   We know finances are tight for many families, and we understand that not everyone is in a position to give.   But if you can help, whether it's $5, $10, $25, or more, please know that every single dollar makes a difference.   A gift of $30 can provide approximately one full bag of senior feed. A monthly donation of any amount helps us plan for the ongoing needs of these animals.   Rescue doesn't end when a horse regains its weight or recovers from an illness. For our senior equines, that is often just the beginning of the next chapter of care.   They still need to be fed, medicated, monitored, and loved every single day. We want to keep Reba, Spanky, Chapps, Kit Kat, and all our other beloved residents healthy, comfortable, and, as we like to say, fat and sassy!   Will You Help Us Keep Them That Way?   Please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a monthly supporter.  You can select to make a one time donation or monthly donation frequency after you choose your donation amount on the website. Make a secure donation now To everyone who has already helped these horses, THANK YOU!   Their progress belongs to you, too. Every pound gained, every comfortable day, every peaceful moment with a new friend is a direct reflection of the compassion you've shown.   With heartfelt gratitude,   Christine & Lary Griffin Equine WellBeing Rescue Snowflake, Arizona   Celebrating 20 Years of Rescue, Compassion & Second Chances — 2006–2026   Because every equine deserves to be loved, cared for, and given the chance to thrive.     EQUINE WELLBEING RESCUE INC 8369 Buckskin Trl Snowflake, AZ 85937 Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser Unsubscribe Donate Now!