Honoring These Angels This Holiday Season
The following is from All About Equine Animal Rescue:
All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc
In Memory
Adoptable Horses
New USRider Offer
Volunteer Corner, Volunteer Needs
AAE Used Tack Store + Holiday Hours
Other Ways to Help
AAE Friends, Supporters, & Service Providers
It’s that time at the end of the year when we reflect upon the horses (and other animals) you have helped over the past 12 months. We are filled with so much gratitude for your support, because this is what makes rescuing and caring for horses-in-need possible. Every horse represents the combined efforts of our community – volunteers, donors, and supporters who believe in the power of second chances.
As is tradition in December, each day this month, we share stories from the past year that are the direct result of you and your dedication to horses-in-need. Thank you for being such an incredible horse warrior and fighting for horses who need another chance. We hope you enjoy! Happy Holidays to all!
IN MEMORY
As we celebrate the joy of the season, we also want to pause to remember and honor the beloved friends we lost this year. They touched our hearts in ways words can hardly express. We will miss their presence, their personalities, and the quiet (and not-so-quiet) moments we shared with them.
Saying good-bye is never easy, especially when these animals have become a part of our lives and our family. Their hoof prints are forever etched in our hearts.
This was a really difficult year with the losses of some of our most beloved and long-time residents, and these are tough stories to share. No doubt, it’ll be hard to read for some, and you may want to pass on this one. Truth is, it’s one of the most difficult parts of rescue, when we have to say these kinds of goodbyes.
Sierra was the matriarch of our herd, and one of our most beloved mares. She coming to AAE with her two colts, Dayton & Clayton, in July 2009. Dayton was hers, Clayton she adopted at the feedlot she was at, and supposedly, his mom shipped to slaughter. In March, Sierra contracted a rare bacterial meningitis, and despite our best efforts to help her, it was severe, and we had to help her across the Rainbow Bridge.
Sierra had an incredibly deep soul, and most everyone that met her was drawn to her. Volunteers loved her! Sierra was also the grandma of the herd. Whenever we had babies, they were hovered around her to eat with her, and they’d spend their time under her watchful eye. We’re very sad she wasn’t able to be grandma to Theo, Noah, Tyler, Coley, and Niko. They would have loved her and leaned on her when they needed her. In a way, like many of us did. There’s a big emptiness without Sierra in the pasture. She was there through it all, until this year. Just happy she go to experience the beauty and big pastures of Pilot Hill. Sierra, your presence is missed so much! You were so very special!
Jennings came to AAE in 2020 from a distressed sanctuary. He had a tennis ball-sized mass on his sheath, and it wasn’t being treated. He was a mustang, and he was about 19 this year. In June, a few months after Sierra left us, our sweet boy, Jennings, crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He had a large swelling alongside his sheath that was there for weeks, then months. We were hopeful it was pigeon fever, but it never opened to drain. We thought it was just deep and needed to be opened surgically, so Jennings went to the clinic to open and drain the abscess. Sadly, it wasn’t an abscess, but a very large, invasive mass that was later determined to be a malignant melanoma. The kindest thing we could do was help him across the Rainbow Bridge before melanoma ravaged his body any more than it already had. He was still having a good day, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
Jennings was such a sweet, handsome, and kind guy. He loved attention from volunteers, and he attached himself to different pasturemates (Elli was his fave at the time). Handsome Jennings made everone smile. Jennings, we miss your sweetness, your charm, and your beautiful eyes!
Barney, truly a gentle giant, was very depressed after losing his favorite gal, Sierra, in March. Little did we know, he may have been dealing with his own issues. In August, he got very colicky, and he was very, very sick. The docs thought he probably had a strangulating lipoma. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good, and it was unlikely he would be able to overcome the pain without surgery, and sadly, he wasn’t a good candidate for surgery for several reasons. Once again, we turned to the Rainbow Bridge to bring him relief and set him free to find his favorite girl, Sierra. He just wasnt the same without her. Later, we learned he had a very large clumped mass of small rocks in his gut.
Barney was another volunteer favorite. He was a big sweetheart that was loved without limits by at least a few special friends, and he was adored by many more. We’ll miss this big gentle guy and all of his slobbery kisses. He had his seat at the table in a corner paddock not far from the barn. Now there’s a big emptiness when we look that way, and he’s not there. Miss your big, lovable you, Barney! I’ll never forget your slobbers!
Flame came to AAE with his pal, Robbie, to help with our youth programs. They were the best of buds, and the kids and eveyone loved them. In August, just four days after Barney, we had to say goodbye to Flame. He, too, had a very bad colic episode, and we were faced with nearly the same situation as Barney. Sadly, Flame wasn’t a good surgery candidate, either, and the Rainbow Bridge was his kindest path.
Flame had been with AAE as one of our program horses for eight years. He introduced many new volunteers to horse care, and he introduced a lot of kids to (mini) horses in El Dorado Hills. Arthritis in his knee slowed him down quite a bit, but he was an incredibly sweet little man. He put smiles on so many faces. With Flame departed, the timing was right, and Robbie had a chance to go back home to his real mom, right where he should be. These little scuttlebutts brought so much joy to everyone that met them. Flame, we miss you every day! Robbie, we miss you, too, but so glad you could gete back home.
Sweet Stetson, a senior TB, came to AAE last year after seizure by a local law enforcement agency. After some recovery, he had a new battle, chronic abscesses in his front hooves, off and on. As they say, “horses will be horses”, and somehow (how is a mystery), Stetson injured his shoulder rather seriously while in his stall/paddock. Initially, he was improving, then he declined. It became very clear one evening that he couldn’t go on. Once again, we journeyed to the Rainbow Bridge, and he crossed over. He was free from pain.
Stetson was an genuinely sweet, sweet guy. He was so patient, kind, and strong, and he tried so hard to win his battle. Stetson was easy to hang out with, he was just easy! That’s not a word that describes many of the horses around AAE. They’re not all hard, but few are “easy”. Stetson went along with whatever the plan was. Every once in a while he’d share an opinion, and if he did, he almost always earned the opportunity to share it. Really, he was just a big love. Stetson, we tried hard to fix you, buddy, but some angel above must have needed you more, maybe your mom called. You were loved beyond words, big guy! We’ll miss your easy way and your gentle heart, and we’ll never forget your fight. Run free, Bud!
Oh T, how special you came to be! Tio, a beautiful 10 year old QH gelding, came to AAE about five years ago to recover from chronic soft tissue injuries in his front right fetlock/pastern areas. He recovered enough to be pasture sound, but not long after he was feeling good and had graduated to a larger paddock, we spotted a small pencil eraser-sized swelling on the front of his left front “knee”, what was the good knee. He wasn’t lame, it was just a “new” bump. Well, that little swelling grew and grew and grew. At some point, he became “off”, and later started walking with a limp. Eventually, his range of motion reduced, and he walked a bit like an old man. Despite a variety of monthly injections and different treatments, nothing we did slowed the growth. Though he had a big arthritic knee, he was a really happy, occasionally awnry guy, and playful guy. Every know and then, he’d rear, buck, and even come off all four. We’d wince and worry. One day, something changed, and though his mind and body wanted to go, his knee didn’t. It was time to set free him free.
Tio was a bit of a stinker when he got to AAE, but over the weeks, months, and years, he softened so much. In the beginning, he was big and pushy, and he was so excited by everything. As part of his early rehab, he had daily hand walks down the same path, day after day. It was like he was seeing new, exciting things every day when he was taken out for a walk, and he couldn’t wait to see and smell all the “things”. LOL! Same ol’ sights, T! Eventually, he got easier and easier, and he turned into a big, soft, marshmallow…but he still had a little ‘tude, and he like to sneak a little taste of you when you weren’t looking. Tio was another volunteer favorite, and he was extra special to some. He was so, so, so loved! Tio had his paddock outside the barn, and I’m sure I’m not the only one that expexts to see Tio when i walk out the back door. it’s not right to see another horse in his space.
For those of you volunteered in El Dorado Hills, chances are, you knew, Holli, the bestest girl in the world. At 15, and after being part of this AAE journey for 12 years, she left our Earthly world in April. To say it was one of the most difficult days ever is an understatement, and she’s been missed every single day.
In EDH, she loved to be in the barn being loved on by everyone, and she loved everyone. Holl didn’t spend much time at the barn in Pilot Hill. I wish she could have, but was too hard for her to walk up and down the hill to get there, and she didn’t like getting in the truck any more. Truth be told, I couldn’t life her into the truck anymore, either. She was very content and became very lazy, but her heart was as big as ever. Thankfully, there are lots of Holli many memories I’ll cherish forever and plenty of Holli stories…way more than we have time for today. In time, they’ll be shared. Holl, you were supposed to live forever! I’ll miss ya’ every day, forever…and don’t forget to wait for me.
Oscar Oscar, Oscar! We were told Oscar was a senior Juliana piggy. Oscar came to AAE with his ol’ piggy friend, Oliver, almost four years ago, after we took in several horses from a distressed sanctuary. The sanctuary had gotten a three-day notice to vacate, and the very senior and very obese pigs had no where to go. About a year or so ago, we discovered Oscar had a testicular tumor. It grew and grew and grew. Unfortunately, there was no more room for it to grow. Oscar crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and hopefully, Oliver met him on the other side.
Oscar and Oliver were so fat, their eye’s were closed with by fat pads and they stepped on their bellies as they dragged the ground. It made sense that we could/should be able to get them placed in a farm or pig sanctuary, but despite our best efforts, none would take them. It became clear, they were supposed to stay at AAE. Oliver crossed over last year, and it seems after he was gone, we really got to know Oscar. Oscar taught those of us that didn’t know, how amazing pigs can be. He was a gentle ol’ soul, he liked to be fed like he was a king, he enjoyed belly rubs, and he captured a lot of hearts, along with a few laughs. Fortunately, Oscar had a few special friends that treated him like royalty, and his last year was without doubt the best year of his life. You were the best, Oscar, you were one in a million! We hope you’re running free with Oliver.
Sona came to AAE in 2020 with Mia and their Black Angus herd to help reduce the starthistle and tall overgrowth at the Pilot Hill property before we moved horses over in 2021. When the herd moved out, these two ol’ ladies stayed behind. Sona was 18 this year and Mia is 19. They’re both sweet ol’ girls, and they’ve enjoyed an easy pasture life the last few years. Sadly, Sona’s time came, and before help could get here, she crossed over. Thank you, Sona for being such a good weedeater, a sweet moo, and good company for the mustangs.
Even though these animals are no longer with us, their stories will continue to inspire us, and we will carry their memories forward with gratitude and love.
We are so thankful to each of you for being part of this journey with us, for believing in our mission, and for sharing in both the joy and the sorrow that come with rescue work. Your support means everything.
This holiday season, the horses we rescue have only one wish: a bright future. With your support, we can give them more than just shelter — we can give them hope. Join us in making their dreams come true by helping us provide the funding needed to care for and rehome these majestic creatures. Your generosity this December will help more horses find their second chance in 2025.
Your donations provide a safe, loving home for rescued horses. Your contribution will ensure that horses find the peace and care they deserve, now and in the future. Any amount is very much appreciated, and it makes a big difference for the horses.