What the hay?????

 

A few weeks ago, during AZ Gives Day, we did a fundraiser with a goal of $12,000 to purchase a load of hay. With the incentive of a $5000 matching donation we raised $10,620 dollars for a total of $15,620 in donations to purchase hay. So purchase hay we did!!!!! Our first load cost $12,202 and provided us with over 500 3-string bales of bermuda grass. But that was not enough to help our dwindling supply of 1400 pound bales of bermuda grass that we put out in the pastures, in slow-feed hay nets, so the horses, donkeys and minis have access to forage 24 hours a day.....like they do in the wild. Having access to hay when their stomachs tell them the are hungry greatly reduces the risk of colic and since we have been feeding like this, we have rarely had an equine colic or ulcers which can also be caused by too much time between feedings. On 4-20-23, we a recieved $13,118 semi load of hay. With the known shortages of hay, rising cost of fuel and the other resources needed to grow hay, there is no end is sight of when to cost might come down. On 4-22-23, another $13,840 load of large bales was also delivered. Last year, these same loads were costing a little over $9,000 each. The increase is staggering and the reason so many are reducing their herds or struggling to feed them. Last year we bit the bullet and did the same bulk purchase, cost was almost $30,000, it blows my mind that this year it is $39,160, almost $10,000 higher. We applied the rest of the funds raised on AZ Gives day, $3,620 towards this purchase, but we could still use donations to help us cover the rest. We have always been frugal with our funds and looked to the needs of those at the rescue, before taking on addtional equines with needs. In fact, with calls coming in almost daily with people asking if we have room for their horses or donkey, we have been networking to find them homes rather than bringing them to the rescue. Last weekend these two sweet pony mares went to their new home to live with 3 mini horses that were adopted from us from the Sweet 16 from Michigan. Big thanks to Vicki and her family for making room. This weekend, Heavenly, will be transported from Scottsdale to Snowflake to start her new life with our volunteers Darin and Shanon. They also adopted Salt and Pepper, two pony mares that were rescued in 2019, rehabbed at our Board member, Karen's ranch in California, and received some ground training before coming to Snowflake and shortly after being adopted by the Greave's family. All these are efforts to provide for those at the rescue first, yet still help those in the community that need assistance. If you would like to help us with donation to build back the $39,000 spent on hay, it would be so appreciated. We know funds are tight for many and want you to know that we value every dollar donated and with no staff or employees, those funds go to care for the horses, donkeys and minis at the rescue. Our fabulous volunteers work so hard every day so we can use the funds where most needed! If you would like to help, just click the button below and we thank you so very, very much for supporting our mission of providing love care for equines in need. Click to Donate Equine WellBeing Rescue is a 501c3 public charity which is 100% volunteer run and managed. There is no paid staff or employees so funds donated go to the care of the equine at the rescue and others in need that we can help. Our volunteers are loving, caring and the best ever!!!! There are lots of wonderful charities to support and we are honored and humbled by the support we get from you and your friends. We want you to know YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!!!

You did it!!!! We met our AZ Gives Day Goal

 

Hello, Everyone! I have to admit when things started slow I was worried we would not reach our fundraising goal of $12,000 for our next purchase of hay. We know that times are tough for so many (heck my own grocery bill is too high). We get calls or emails daily from people asking us to take their horses or donkeys because they can't feed them anymore and the price of hay has doubled and is staying high which is also a big concern. You have helped us with your donations in a way that has brought tears to my eyes. This AZ Gives we raised $10,620 with 71 amazing donations!!! $5000 of that is matched by a single matching donation bringing our total raised to $15,620. AMAZING...AWESOME...FABULOUS...SO BLESSED. Thank you for believing in our mission of providing loving care for equines in need, and supporting all we do. We have 40 horses, donkeys and minis in our care and try to help others when asked, if we can. Those we have at the rescue are our priority and we are frugal in our spending decisions so that we can provide the best care for them, so they are happy and healthy. Your generosity allows us to continue now for our 13th year. You have truly blessed us all with your kindness and support. Thank you so very much!!!!

AZ Gives Day!

 

Hello, Everyone!

AZ Gives is an annual day for people to support non-profits they love that are located in Arizona and one we have participated in for many years as a main fundraiser for the rescue. This year we have matching funds up to $5000. What does that mean? For every dollar you donate it will be matched, $20 becomes $40, $50 becomes $100 and $100 becomes $200. The combination of everyone's donations will be matched up to a total of $5000. What a blessing!

Our goal this year is $12,000 which is needed for our next purchase of hay. In the past year the cost has skyrocket from $15 a bale to $28 a bale. Our total hay bill each year is around $48,000 so every dollar donated will make such a difference in feeding the 40 equines here at the rescue. Please consider helping us reach our goal with a donation to the rescue by clicking one of the two buttons below. Funds donated today and through the week will be included in the matching donation.

Forest - the blind orphaned foal

Donate NOW through our website!

Donate NOW through AZ Gives

Equine WellBeing Rescue is a 501c3 public charity which is 100% volunteer run and managed. There is no paid staff or employees so funds donated goto the care of the equine at the rescue and others in need that we can help. Our volunteers are loving, caring and the best ever!!!! There are lots of wonderful charities to support and we are honored and humbled by the support we get from you and your friends. We want you to know YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!!! From all of us at Equine WellBeing Rescue Tax ID 45-2835562 Questions contact 760-703-4860

What a beautiful jewel - Ruby Rose

 

Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose at Hi Caliber Horse Rescue June 2018 In 2018, a very well known rescue in southern Californa closed its doors and many horses needed to find homes. We reached out to a wonderful group of women who stepped up to the plate to find them homes. We brought 3 horses to the rescue. The sickest, Ruby Rose, was picked up by Karen, one of our fabulous board members and taken straight to the hosptial.

Ruby Rose after she arrived at the vets 6-10-18 Upon arrival at So Cal Equine Hospital Ruby Rose was given a through exam, multiple tests and a treatment plan for her recovery. It took several months of Karen's tender loving care before Ruby Rose was well enough to make the trip from her ranch in So Cal, to the rescue in Snowflake. We were tickeled when she arrived in September where she was reunited with Techie and BamBam, the other two horses she had been with at the defunct rescue.

Ruby spent several months with us before we decided to send her back to Karen's in California so she could be a companion to Ellie, an elderly mare who was blind and needed a best friend. For the last four years Ruby Rose has been side by side with Ellie keeping her wonderful company....her seeing eye horse. But recently Karen noticed Ruby Rose was eating very slow and Tuesday she was off her food entirely. The vet came out and it was decided to have an ultrasound done and sadly the result showed a large tumor that was strangling her small intestine. The heartbreaking decision to release her from her pain, rather than a very difficult and possibly unsuccessful surgery for an elderly horse, was made, and on Wednesday our sweet Ruby Rose crossed the rainbow bridge. What a wonderful horse she has been with such a personality. We never want to see any of the horses, donkeys or minis suffer and we believe Ruby Rose told us it was her time. Our hearts go out to Karen and her family, and we cannot thank them enough for fostering Ruby Rose these last few years. She got the very best of care and was loved by the entire family. Many hearts were broken on Wednesday but we also know that she had a wonderful life while she was with us and Karen, and that she could not have been more loved. Run In Paradise (RIP) you beautiful jewel. Ruby Rose. In our hearts forever!

Ruby Rose kicking up her heals

Click to Donate

Equine WellBeing Rescue is a 501c3 public charity which is 100% volunteer run and managed. There is no paid staff or employees so funds donated goto the care of the equine at the rescue and others in need that we can help. Our volunteers are loving, caring and the best ever!!!! There are lots of wonderful charities to support and we are honored and humbled by the support we get from you and your friends. We want you to know YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!!!

Diesel has arrived!!! Thank you all so very much.

It was cold and the rain was pouring down last Wednesday, March 15, 2023, when Derek arrived to pick Diesel up. Heidi was out in the pouring rain and asked Derek if he could load Diesel for her....such a heartbreaking time for Heidi...having to say goodbye to her beloved horse and watch the trailer drive down the road. Too often doing the right thing for the horse, or any animal for that matter, is difficult and sorrowful. Diesel arrived late that evening a little later than planned because of the rains hitting both California and Arizona. Much care was taken the entire journey, especially through the mountains up to and over the Mollogon Rim. Diesel unloaded and settled in for a stormy night. He was tucked in a dry barn stall with Forest and Shooter across the walkway to keep him company.

Click here for more pictures of his rehab Going back to October 28, 2011, two foals arrived at the rescue and the gray one was extremely sick. His breathing was labored, you can see he is emaciated, was running a fever and more. Diesel, named that becasue of deep the noise he made breathing, needed vet care, IV fluids and almost died in my arms as the abscesses in his neck around his throat would not allow him to swallow so I was feeding him water with a dose syringe till the vet could get there. It was touch and go that sleepless night not knowing if he would pull through. That was Diesel's first day and the rescue and after 11 years he as returned.

Diesel running with glee in the big pasture. We are so excited to have Diesel back with us and at the same time saddened that life circumstances changed so quickly, in the blink of an eye ...a head-one collision...and his owner was no longer able to care for him when she herself was trying to recover from such a tragedy. Wanting him to have room to roam, and regular companionship of people and other equines we made plans to bring him to the rescue.

Many of you will no doubt remember Diesel, the orphaned foal and have followed his journey ever since. He even has his own Facebook Page (see below of read it). After the rains ceased we were finally able to let Diesel enjoy pasture time. We tried putting him with Sable and the mini donkeys, but all he wanted to do was follow the mini's around and big as he is, that scared them. We next tried Buddie and Rimson, but Diesel was more interested in the standard sized donkeys we have in our big 5 acre pasture. Buddie and Rimson, while curious, didn't seem to find a connection.

3-18-23 Diesel meets the donkeys Finally we tried our big pasture with the donkeys, Ceci, Rainee and Journey. It was funny to watch because he followed them, not really chasing them..but they didn't know that. A lot of movement all over the pasture and finally the donkeys stopped and so did Diesel. Ah! They figured it out, he just wanted to get to know them, sniff noses and be friends.

Today I called him from the barn, he stopped eating and turned to acknowledge my call. When we go out in the pasture he walks over to greet us and we are able to give him his medicines in a horse muffin. The mares seem to like him now as do the donkeys. Will he become a herd leader? It is possible. He is smart, sensitive and confident. The donkeys and the horses seem to like him. With 5 acres to roam and a bunch of new friends we see him settling in just fine.

We can't thank you all enough for your donations to help get him back to the rescue and to cover his health care needs and medicines for the next six month. We reached and exceeded our fundraising goal which covers his care for even longer. We are in contact with Heidi every day giving her updates on how he is doing. While such a tough decision, she is happy that he is happy. We wish her a complete recovery and have extended the invitation to come visit Diesel at any time. In the meantime, I will update her with pictures and stories of his antics. Working together, we all have made their lives better and kept a commitment we made the day we rescued him back in 2011.....he will always have a home to come back to if needed. You can follow Diesel's Facebook page by clicking the link below.

Click to Donate

Equine WellBeing Rescue is a 501c3 public charity which is 100% volunteer run and managed. There is no paid staff or employees so funds donated goto the care of the equine at the rescue and others in need that we can help. Our volunteers are loving, caring and the best ever!!!! There are lots of wonderful charities to support and we are honored and humbled by the support we get from you and your friends. We want you to know YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!!!

Click for Diesel's Facebook Page

Click for Diesel's Blog Post