Your support in 2018 probably had the biggest impact in the lives of our next intake group: Amigo, Rudy, and Gunner. These three boys came to AAE in mid-January 2018 from a neglect situation. Amigo and Rudy were in very poor condition. Fortunately, Gunner was in pretty good condition. This is a long one, enjoy!
AMIGO
Amigo weighed about 850 pounds upon arrival. As thin as he looked in photos, he was much thinner. His coat was thick with dead undercoat that felt like a wool rug draped over his bony skeleton beneath. He was also covered with hundreds of ticks that took days to remove.
We were told he’s 29. We were told he was a riding horse, but bucks after a couple hours (at his age, I’m sure he’s saying, enough already!). Other than that, the rest is a mystery.
Thankfully, Amigo’s vet check went surprisingly well, and he was started on a slow refeeding program consistent with UC Davis’ protocol for rehabilitating starved horses. After about a week at AAE, he had what turned out to be a minor bout of colic; when he went down, we didn’t think he would get up. This pic is worth 1,000 words.
Fortunately, the docs were heroic that night, and he rallied! He battled through it like the survivor he is, and has been great ever since!
Though emaciated and starving, it was plain as day this ol’ guy had a heart of gold. His journey to recovery was a slow one, but he made steady progress, day after day.
He craved attention and simply enjoyed being in the presence of humans. He would munch on food with his skinny head peaking out of his stall, bright-eyed with a big ol’ smile on his face. “Hey, come gimme some lovin'”
Amigo is such a great reminder of how fragile yet resilient horses are. He holds no grudges for humans, even though he wasn’t treated so kind. Once he gained some weight and stabilize, his teeth were floated, hooves were trimmed, and vaccines were updated and he was dewormed. He was slowly coming back to health.
Amigo has returned to good health, and he’s in great condition for 29-something. There could not be a more sweet, kind, lovable old fella! This guy is an absolute gem, and a volunteer favorite. We LOVE this ol’ guy and everything about him.
Amigo is such an ambassador for horses with new volunteers. He’s just a big love! He couldn’t be more easy to handle. He is patient, he’s kind, and he’s one of the most dependable horses at AAE. At 29, this ol’ guy can call AAE home, his last stop.

Amigo needs a sponsor.
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click here!
RUDY
Rudy has a story, too. Though he wasn’t in quite as bad of shape as Amigo, he was in sad shape. We were told he was about 23 years old, and had been ridden quite a bit. He had been used for barrel racing. Beyond that, little is known about his past.
Rudy weighed only about 875 pounds when he arrived. He was also covered with ticks, but not as heavily as Amigo.
His teeth were in bad shape, too. His hooves hadn’t been cared for in quite some time, and heal had deep heal cracks with open sores in all four. Rudy was simply “empty”.
Rudy was started on a slow refeeding program consistent with UC Davis’ protocol for rehabilitating starved horses. His teeth had also been neglected, but he was given time to stabilize and gain a bit of weight.
Though emaciated and starving, Rudy was a really kind guy, but his focus was on his next meal. He seemed to enjoy attention, but he was indifferent at times, especially if there was food in his proximity.

He’s had regular farrier work, but his heel cracks persist. He had much needed dental work, he’s been dewormed, and his vaccines were updated.
Rudy has been saddled and ridden lightly. He’s soft and willing under saddle, but his hooves are still an issue. They are making slow improvement, but need more time.
This ‘ol guy is another sweet ‘ol soul and handsome as ever.
GUNNER
Gunner looked pretty much like a normal horses. It was hard to believe he had been living with Amigo and Rudy. We were told Gunner was about 19 years old, and he had been started under saddle, but never finished.
Gunner had some trust issues and it took a bit to earn his trust. He was evasive for haltering, though led fairly well. This guy needed more confidence; and he seemed so vulnerable with leg and hoof handling, His teeth were floated, hooves trimmed, and vaccines updated.
Gunner, is a shy guy that appears to have been mis-handled at some point in life. He is halterable, curious, gentle, and willing. Gunner has made consistent progress, and he’s become more much more willing to interact with humans. He’s starting to seek attention. He’s softened considerably, and so far, we haven’t identified any major issues.
Gunner is temporarily fostered with one of AAE’s adopters so we could help a couple more horses this winter. He has been hanging out with cows, and recently, he showed his gentler, nurturing side when he nuzzled up with a newborn calf. How sweet is that!
This handsome guy is looking for a home with experience with horses with trust issues. He’s healthy, willing, and seems to have some good years for someone willing to give him the time he needs to trust and flourish. Gunner is up to date with vaccines, deworming, and hoof and dental care.