Believe in the Magic of the Season

Barney came to AAE on January 1, 2019 from a family distress situation. Barney is a Belgian Draft horse in his early 20s. He stands about 16.2 hands high.  His owner was not long widowed single mom of two young children facing many struggles of her own. She tried to hang on to Barney, the bright light in her life.  Sadly, Barney was paying the price for her despair, and she finally realized he needed more than she could give. He was underweight (weighing in at about 1300 pounds at intake), he’d been dealing with chronic diarrhea for months, and he also had some chronic respiratory issues.

He slobbers like the best of them, too (remember Angus?).

We learned Barney was originally trained as a driving horse as part of a team, and when that didn’t work out, he was rehomed.  Apparently, the next goal for this guy was to make him a trail horse, but that didn’t work out either. Barney had a troublesome kicking issue when faced with too much pressure.  Can you imagine being anywhere near the double barrel of a draft horse? He was labeled “unsafe” by his trainer who suggested his owner abandon the riding idea and keep him as a companion animal/pasture pet. This made for a nice opportunity for another widower, Zena, our Percheron mare that had lost her big, handsome guy, Kasey only a couple months prior.

Shortly after arrival, Barney got the intake routine.

He was evaluated by Diana Stolba, DVM – Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, and

his enormous hoofers were got a much needed trim by our farrier, Chris Culcasi.

Dental practitioner, Melissa Hammerlun also followed up with a dental exam.

Barney was dewormed, his vaccines were updated, and now he has a microchip in place.

Over the past year, Barney has gained at least 250 pounds, his poop firmed up nicely (those of you with horses appreciate firm poop, right?), and his respiratory issues have improved tremendously.  He is a big, handsome, and kind ol’ soul!  Barney is another gentle giant that loves to be loved on, he thoroughly enjoys being groomed, and any kind of attention is fine with him.  So far, he’s been nothing but a kind guy, but he attaches to his neighbor horses and gets separation anxiety when one is taken out/led away.  Because of his kicking history, he’s handled with caution. No one takes his size and strength for granted.

Until recently, Barney shared a fenceline with Zena; they were recently introduced to the herd, and they are enjoying a more spacious life in the big “pasture”.  He is absolutely smitten with Zena (aka Tyranosaurus Rex), and she with him. Well, they are more like attached at the hip.  Barney and Zena are both older drafts (in their 20s), and they will remain at AAE as a sanctuary companions.

BELIEVE, you support makes a difference….

DONATE and you can make more stories like Barney’s come true!

If you’d rather mail a check, please make check payable to

“All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc.” and send to

2201 Francisco Dr. #140-174

El Dorado Hills, CA  95762

Check out our facebook page for pop-up hours and specials!

As many of you know, we’ve been trying to expand store hours.

TACK STORE SUPPORT:

We need a second person (no experience necessary) to help staff the store on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday afternoons, 2p-6p, can you help?

If you’re interested in helping with tack store activities (e.g. cleaning donated tack, researching/pricing, organizing, helping customers, sharing AAE info, admin support, and more), we need you.

Current store hours are Fri-Mon 12-4p, and recently added Thurs hours 2-6p.

We can always use help during any of the current hours, too.

Please email us if you are interested/available Tues, Wed, or Thurs afternoons, 2-6p.

  

If you are available to help with administrative activities, we are creating admin hours in the office at the store.

We have a variety of administrative tasks we need help getting done.

Please email us if you are interested/available Tues, Wed, or Thurs afternoons, 2p-6p.