For the first time since I started this rescue, we failed to raise enough funds to save the 6 wild horses who were shipping to slaughter.
LUCKILY for the horses, I went on faith and saved them even though we haven’t yet raised the funds. This means that monies slated for feed and vet bills has not been put back, and the horses really need your help.
This is a first,and sadly a result of the current times. We simply did not raise enough funds to cover the cost of saving them, transporting them, drawing blood work and getting brand inspections, health certificates etc.
Yesterday we had to geld 4 stallions, so the wild ones can find safe and loving homes.
I am praying hard, as the world simply seems to be upside down. I have no idea where the rescue is headed due to the general economy. For now, I am hoping we can raise enough funds to pay for the gelding, vetting and transport.
THE 3 SKINNY, PREGNANT MARES HAVE A WONDERFUL HOME OFFER at a private sanctuary in California. I almost cried when she said she would offer them a forever home. HOWEVER, we need funds to transport them safely, get health certificates, brand inspections etc.
The simple truth is that Chilly Pepper STILL needs help for these horses, even though they are SAFE and we kept them off of that horrible truck!
I also had a “behind the scenes” rescue of this beautiful little girl shown below. She is crippled and definitely did not need to be an appetizer somewhere. Meet “Phoebee”.
THANK YOU!
This is the link to our Chilly Pepper’s Wild Horse & Orphan Foal Adoption Page,where you can see the progress and new lives of the horses YOU HAVE HELPED SAVED! (I can’t believe I didn’t do this years ago, but it is so fun to see the horses, babies and critters that are enjoying and thriving in their new lives.)
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED NOW to save these precious lives.
I got another call today.In the middle of sending out donation receipts, caring for our special needs kids here and trying to prep for baby season, it’s GO TIME! *It doesn’t matter that it is not convenient.*
This is an emergency, and these horses will be loaded onto the slaughter truck on Wednesday if I do not say YES!
PLEASE help me save these precious souls. The clock is ticking and you are their only hope.
Please donate now! We are already stretched beyond tight, as I have to get Colostrum (IGG) for the newborns, Foal Lac Powder, Foal Lac Pellets and about a hundred other items to be ready for the 2021 baby season. Lately it seems like we are doing as many big kids, but this is what God is putting in front of us.
THANK YOU! I simply cannot save them without YOU!
This is the link to our Chilly Pepper’s Wild Horse & Orphan Foal Adoption Page,where you can see the progress and new lives of the horses YOU HAVE HELPED SAVED! (I can’t believe I didn’t do this years ago, but it is so fun to see the horses, babies and critters that are enjoying and thriving in their new lives.)
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
It’s been a wild first two weeks of 2021, but we’re standing strong at AWHC for our wild horses and burros. We’re a few days away from a new Administration and our team has been pushing forward with our plan of action to protect America’s wild free-roaming horses and burros from mass roundups and slaughter.
Just this week, AWHC submitted its First 100 Days Wild Horse Agenda to the Biden Administration with an urgent plea to reform the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) wild horse and burro management program, which is careening toward fiscal and animal welfare disaster.
Urgent action is necessary in light of the BLM’s plan to round up 90,000 wild horses and burros from public lands over the next five years, a move that would triple the number of horses maintained in off-range holding facilities while decimating wild herds at a cost to taxpayers of nearly $1 billion.
This agenda can set the stage for progress and reform of BLM’s inhumane practices.
We’re hopeful that the new administration will take significant steps to rein in the BLM and its mistreatment of our nation’s wild horses and burros. By following our First 100 Days Agenda, the Biden Administration can take necessary first steps to finally granting these iconic animals the protection and humane management they deserve.
The last four years have been marked by an all-out assault on our public lands by the Interior Department under Secretary David Bernhardt and the illegally-serving BLM Director William Perry Pendley. America’s wild horses and burros have not escaped the destruction. Scapegoated for massive environmental damage to public lands caused by the livestock industry, these iconic animals face virtual extinction under the Bernhardt/Pendley Plan to cull wild herds by 70 percent.
Last month, the Sacramento Bee published a one-sided story on the Devil’s Garden wild horse herd, which gave a megaphone to ranchers who want the land where the horses roam for their cattle. The article dismissed wild horse advocates as having a romanticized view of wild horses, who the author believes are better off captured and fed in pens than living free in the wild. On Saturday, the newspaper published AWHC’s response in an OpEd entitled, “How to fix federal mismanagement of California’s wild horse population.” Read the article here.
AWHC continues to fight the mismanagement of the Devil’s Garden wild horses by the U.S. Forest Service, which recently announced that it was selling all wild horses captured in a fall 2020 roundup for $25 a piece. Previous sales of captured Devil’s Garden wild horses have resulted in many disasters, including the escape of two untamed mustangs who are still at large in Pennsylvania, the deaths of 9 horses from salmonella poisoning after being shipped to Florida, and 18 horses delivered to a remote Colorado property that can be inaccessible during the winter months.
Meanwhile, the Forest Service continues to charge ahead with roundups as its main management tool and declined AWHC’s previous offer to fund a pilot fertility control program for this herd, which is California’s largest and most significant wild horse population.
Another massive wild horse roundup is underway, this one in the BLM’s Eagle Complex in eastern Nevada. AWHC’s observer is on site to document this capture operation that aims to remove over 1,000 wild horses and reduce the population to just 139-265 in this 743,000-acre habitat area — that equates to as little as one horse per every 5,345 acres! The BLM is clearing the land of wild horses so that thousands of cattle and sheep can continue to graze this public lands area.
As with any roundup, the scenes we’re witnessing are truly heartbreaking. As of Jan. 15, 412 wild horses have lost their freedom in the Eagle Complex roundup and five have lost their lives.
Below Are Photos Our Observer Took During Eagle Complex Roundup:
Watch a clip from BLM’s first roundup of 2021:
We are working hard to change this — in Congress, in the courts and in the field by showing that humane management works. We need YOU more than ever to keep showing up, speaking up, and supporting our work. Together, we will do everything in our power to protect America’s wild horses.
She is obviously emaciated, has no top teeth, and has to be absolutely freezing in these cold winter temps.
I receive the 911 last night to save her. We are her only hope.
PLEASE HELP ME SAVE MYSTIC! She will need blanket(s), and lots of special groceries. She will also need the normal vetting, hauling etc.
She can come live with Grandma in the “Mash Pen” IF WE CAN SAVE HER!
She will need LONG TERM care, and definitely some blood work and vetting.
It breaks my heart to think of how miserable she is standing out in the cold with nothing to provide heat. No feed, – she HAS TO HAVE MASH, and no blanket or shelter.
PLEASE HELP NOW!
This is the link to our Chilly Pepper’s Wild Horse & Orphan Foal Adoption Page,where you can see the progress and new lives of the horses YOU HAVE HELPED SAVED! (I can’t believe I didn’t do this years ago, but it is so fun to see the horses, babies and critters that are enjoying and thriving in their new lives.)
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
Thanks to your love and support,we were able to save Treasure AND get Smurf and Noel safely home.
Sadly, Treasure is in even worse shape than we were told. The first thing I did was take him to Doc to get his bloodwork run. He is severely anemic, and he probably had no more than a few days left to live, without being dewormed. Doc said he had so many bloodworms they were literally killing him.
His white blood cell count is horrendous as well. So much that Doc is afraid he has leukemia.I de-wormed him, and then we went into having scours immediately. For more than 5 days he had the most horrible diarrhea (scours), and it was, and still is hour to hour with him. We are now praying he does not have any blockages from all of the worms.
He is in critical shape at best, but is the most loving and kind horse I have ever met. We spent hours just sitting in the yard, while he stood with his head in my lap. He is literally breaking my heart, and I am doing everything I can with special feed and meds etc.He could really use another blanket or 2, as he tends to need his washed every day or so. His size is about a 78″. It is bitterly cold here and he has nothing to keep him warm, so it is imperative that he stays blanketed while it is cold.
It’s time to stock up onFoal Lac Powder, Foal Lac Pellets, Vaseline, Gloves, Baby Wipes, Paper Towels, Bute, Banamine, Shavings, Mare & Foal Pellets, syringes, needles, Colostrum (IGG) for the new born babies, Foal Response, French Clay, bandages, thermometers, scissors, baby halters, baby blankets, and the list goes on.If anyone would like to help us get ready for foal season, you can order off of Valley Vet or Fosters and Smith or Chewey.com. I still have to get the 2 stallions gelded and the goat’s leg amputated, and we need to be ready for the babies BEFORE they get here.
Little Annie Oakley says she would love some more Foal Lac Pellets.She is starting to feel much better and her wormy belly is finally gone.
Thank you so much for all the lives you saved in 2020 and before. It seems to be the norm that there is simply no “down time” anymore, and baby season is almost here. (Or here already – if you ask Annie, lol).
This is the link to our Chilly Pepper’s Wild Horse & Orphan Foal Adoption Page,where you can see the progress and new lives of the horses YOU HAVE HELPED SAVED! (I can’t believe I didn’t do this years ago, but it is so fun to see the horses, babies and critters that are enjoying and thriving in their new lives.)
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
Great news: our end of year fundraising totals are in, and thanks to your incredible support, we were able to reach our $125,000 goal and UNLOCK our donor match! Your support will make an enormous difference for wild horses and burros as we launch our ambitious 2021 agenda.
We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we know we can always count on you to lobby your elected officials, support our critical legal work, and raise awareness across the country about the plight of America’s magnificent wild horses and burros. This is a tough fight, but this movement has stood up to the challenge over and over again and we’ll do it again in 2021. Please read on for a recap of the 2020 accomplishments that we’ll build on and a preview of what your generosity will allow us to do this year!
Strengthened Political Support & Made History
We teamed up with our coalition partners and worked with members of Congress to introduce the first pro-wild horse legislation in over a decade. Passed by the House of Representatives, the bipartisan wild horse protection amendment would require the BLM to implement PZP fertility control to manage wild herds humanely on public lands. Although the final spending bill did not include the House-passed amendment, it did include strong fertility control language as well as other pro-horse provisions — a sign that Congress is well aware of our growing grassroots strength and increasing support on Capitol Hill for our cause. We have an incredible opportunity this year to make real change with the nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior and the continued leadership of Rep. Raul Grijalva as Chair of the Natural Resources Committee. Both are wild horse and burro champions who are committed to protecting these beloved animals and reforming the broken federal wild horse and burro management program.
Filed Suit to Protect Wild Mares
The day after the roundup ended in Utah’s Confusion Herd Management Area, our legal team filed suit to stop the BLM from conducting barbaric sterilization surgeries on many of the just-captured wild mares. This is our third legal action against the BLM for plans to conduct the risky and invasive “ovariectomy via colpotomy” procedure, and we’ve successfully held the agency off since 2016! Joining us as a plaintiff in the latest lawsuit is Utahn Rob Hammer, who has extensive knowledge of the Confusion wild horses and the public land area where they live. In 2021, we’ll continue to drive this case in the courts while we also work with Congress and the administration to eliminate this brutal surgery as an option for the management of our wild horses and burros, once and for all.
Created Accountability for BLM Roundup Abuse
While the COVID-19 pandemic made traveling much more difficult in 2020, we continued to address roundup abuse by sending humane observers to nearly every one of the many helicopter roundups conducted by the BLM and the Forest Service last year. This year we took a step beyond documenting roundups by launching an initiative to create a mechanism for enforcing the BLM’s Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program standards, which the agency routinely violates. We’ve teamed up with the Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard University Law School to develop a rulemaking petition to strengthen the BLM’s animal welfare guidelines and turn them into legally-enforceable regulations. The petition will be ready for submission to the new Administration this year. If it is not acted upon, we will have the option of litigating, so please stay tuned!
Proved Humane Management is Possible
Our in-the-wild management program reached new heights in 2020. Not only were we able to grant funds to boots-on-the-ground organizations in Arizona and Colorado to support their fertility control programs, we also achieved an unprecedented milestone in our own fertility control program in Nevada’s Virginia Range. Last month, our volunteers and staff surpassed 3,000 treatments administered to mares in less than two years, making this the largest free-roaming horse fertility control program in the world, according to the Science and Conservation Center! Just last week, the Deseret News — Utah’s second-largest newspaper — published a feature highlighting the success of our program. In 2021, we will continue to support local groups managing their herds, expand our fertility control program in the greater Reno area, and we’re working to expand our fertility control efforts to new herds in the West!
Launched Habitat Acquisition Project
We officially launched the pilot project for the American Wild Horse Conservancy, our new land trust, in 2020. The inaugural effort focuses on securing habitat for the famed Fish Springs Wild Horses who live on BLM and private land in the Gardnerville, Nevada area. The Conservancy overall will focus on critical land acquisition to secure key habitat for wild horses, grazing lease buyouts and compensation for reduced or non-use of grazing permits, and range improvements to improve the quality and quantity of habitat available for wild horses. We can’t wait to expand this innovative program in the coming year!
We have a lot of work to do, but together, we’ll make real progress for our cherished wild horses and burros in 2021. So stay ready, stay safe, and stay tuned!
Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for the love and support you’ve shown All About Equine (AAE) in 2020. It takes everyone from our volunteers, families, friends, donors, fosters, adopters, followers, and everyone in between to do what we do. Without any one of you, we would not be. Wishing you all good health and happiness in 2021.
New Year’s Day marks a new beginning, and “new beginning” has many meanings. A new year, a new season, a new life, a new start to name a few. Most importantly, new beginnings are second chances for horses-in-need to have a better life. We are looking forward to what this year has in store, and the stories we will be able to tell come December. We have a special story of new beginnings coming soon, stay tuned.
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes
allow us to make this work possible!
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
SPONSOR A HORSE
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
Thank you for joining us this month as we shared stories from the barn that showed how your support helped horses this year. As we say good-bye to 2020 and ring in 2021, we are reflecting on our blessings from this year and what we would like to accomplish in the new year. We have a few resolutions for 2021! Top of the list is to find forever homes for all of our adoptable horses that didn’t find a person of their own in 2020. We don’t want them to wait any longer! Each of them deserves to have a loving family. Learn more about all of our adoptable horses below. Who knows – maybe you’ll be one of our featured stories next December! Another goal for the new year is to find generous supporters for each of the horses. If you (or someone you know) isn’t looking for a new live-in friend for 2021 but still want to support one of our horses, consider becoming a sponsor. Learn more about our sponsorship program. With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity, support, and kindness. It is because of YOU that we were able to help 31 horses in need and placed 23 in their forever homes. Sadly, we lost 9 precious lives. Overall, that makes 318 intakes and 254 adoptions since we started in 2009. We end the year with 48 horses at AAE. We couldn’t do this work without the help of our horse-loving community. Thank you!
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
Learn more about each horse by clicking on its name.
If you are interested in exploring adoption,
please submit an Adoption Inquiry via the website.
This holiday season please consider making a year end donation to assure AAE has funding to continue the work we do and have similar stories to share in 2021.
As we count down to 2021, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses in 2020.
With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity and support.
In Honor Of
RUSTY, RUBY, and HOPE
As we approach the last post of 2020, we can’t leave the year behind without a special memory of three more horses. Not only was this year difficult with all of the impacts of COVID, but if you’ve been with us all year, you probably know it was a year of difficult losses. From 2009 through 2019, we’d lost 12 horses, many severe colics, some illness, a pasture accident, and a few with quality of life issues. (We do not euthanize to make space). This year was exceptionally difficult with loss of 9 lives (5 horses, 1 mini horse, 1 donkey, 1 mini donkey, and 1 goat). We’ve include stories of six so far. Three that remain were too special to not honor their memory one more time. I’ve relived them all the last 30 days, and they’ve weighed heavy, especially with the loss of Hardy just a few days ago. So, making it a little lighter on me….I’m keeping it brief. It doesn’t mean we won’t miss these three that touched so many people while here: Rusty, Ruby, and Hope.
RUSTY
Rusty was a 1986 Arabian that came to AAE in August of 2010 when his owner was facing deployment. Rusty was like a fixture at AAE until he passed April 16, 2020. Sadly, we were in the middle of COVID stay at home orders, and due to COVID fears, our care team had reduced to a skeleton crew. You can read Rusty’s story from earlier this year here.
RUBY
Ruby was a 1987-ish grade mare that came to AAE with her weeks old colt (Gem) in May of 2011. Yes, Ruby had a foal at about 24! Ruby left us on Christmas Eve 2013 to be a companion to an older horse, then came back in 2014 when he passed. She was a very sweet mare and was Rusty’s pal in the end. You can read Ruby’s story from earlier this year here.
HOPE
Hope was a 1998 grade Andalusian/Lusitano mare that came to AAE in February 2020 just prior to the COVID-19 stay at home order. She had been suffering from a horrific eye tumor for about two years. She was an incredibly brave mare that seemed so appreciative for the help. Hope was only here a short while, but she touched so many people with her kindness and gratitude. You can read Hope’s story from earlier this year here. Rusty, Ruby, and Hope left huge hoofprints on our hearts for a multitude of reasons. They were much loved and will never be forgotten.
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
As we count down to 2021, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses in 2020.
With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity and support.
BLUE UPDATE
Remember this guy? Blue came to AAE from Nevada in March of 2017 after a request for assistance from the Virginia Range Wild Horse Sanctuary and Hidden Valley Wild Horse Protection Fund. Blue had been carrying around a large mass of proud flesh (granulation tissue) over his left rear fetlock/pastern area for some time. Although he had been haltered and handled some previously, he was not halterable when he arrived at AAE. We knew we had a big job ahead in helping Blue.
Before we could evaluate the mass, he had to be gentled and easily halterable, and his legs/hooves had to be readily handlable for frequent bandage changes after surgery. With a straightforward mustang, not a big deal, but Blue had some substantial fear/trust issues. Initial efforts with befriending and haltering him were lukewarm. Thanks to Dr. Stolba and Team LBEMC (throughout Blue’s journey), he had made enough progress that we were able to sedate him, radiograph the bony area beneath the mass, and collect tissue samples for biopsy. We wanted to make sure there was not an underlying reason for the mass before getting too deep into corrective measures if they would be for naught. It was not an easy feat. Even with heavy sedation, he kicked quickly and with purpose.
Radiographs and biopsy detected no obvious issues, so the work continued. Weeks in, Blue seemed to have had a reaction to something and developed a mysterious condition that turned out to be a form of vasculitis. He developed sores/ulcers throughout his entire mouth. The first layer of tissue pulled off with any type of pressure. They were horribly painful. Though his history and symptoms didn’t suggest, we had to quarantine him and test him for vesicular stomatitis. Thankfully, it was negative. We scaled back our efforts to reduce his stress and allow him to heal. But, the mass was growing and oozing, and flies and yellow jackets swarmed the oozy mass.
After several weeks, he improved, and we resumed course. He would take a few steps forward, then a couple steps back. Finally, after many weeks with nominal results, we had a marathon day. We worked until we broke through. Six hours, he accepted handling and touching all over, and we practiced bandaging and removing bandage, over and over. The next day, our learning curve was much shorter, and the next and the next, until finally, we could halter, touch all over, and pick up his left hind and handle it all over. We practiced with big, bulky bandaging materials again, wrapped it up, and he was a gem!
We scheduled surgery, and in late August 2017, he lost nearly seven pounds in a matter of minutes. The mass had a narrow base and truly looked like a big brain. It weighed in at nearly seven pounds. Imagine what that must have felt like with every move. Needless to say, it was done!
However, the mouth lesions returned. There were more, and they were worse this time. They were on his body, around his anus, and on his sheath. Poor guy, these things were awful, and they appeared to be an autoimmune issue. At one point, we questioned his prognosis and quality of life, but before jumping to conclusions, we biopsied the tissue. We ended up with the vasculitis diagnosis. The best thing was, we changed up his meds, and the sores began to heal. The area where the mass was removed was beginning to heal. In the meantime, the next test came when it was time to change his first bandage. With a bit of sedation, it went fairly smooth, but cleaning the lesion was a little challenging. But, wow, it looked amazing! Such a tremendous improvement. It was like a victory in and of itself, even though not healed.
Healing progressed nicely. After several bandage changes, Blue was getting resentful of the needle for sedation, so we tried without. It went well with cleaning a few times, until he didn’t like it when placing the medicated bandage over the lesion. It seems he was healing, and he could feel the area again. He stomped the bandage off, over and over. The stomp was a little intimidating, but really, he was only trying to get the “big white bug” off his leg. He didn’t kick out or kick at. His stomp was purposeful in knocking the bandage off his leg. Unfortunately, we couldn’t keep the bandage on, so we had to go back to sedation for a bit. Eventually, we could remove the bandage, clean the lesion, and replace the bandage without issue, without sedation, thankfully. Healing continued.
By November 2017, the lesion was almost healed, but there was a small area where the tissue was changing, so it was trimmed by vet. By January 2018, the lesion had nearly healed again. Blue made tremendous progress. However, as the months went on, the small area persisted and started to grow again. We lasered the area and biopsied for a third time, and this time the biopsy revealed a sarcoid. They are persistent little buggers!!!
We tried some different medication over the months, but nothing resulted in complete healing, and by Fall, we decided to laser again; however, by November 2018, the sarcoid was growing, it was removed, and another course of treatment began with new medications. Blue stood quietly for bandage changes every two to three days.
As of mid-February 2019, Blue’s lesion appears to have healed, we continued applying an anti-viral cream daily for several weeks, maybe months. So far, so good. The lesion is scarred (about a silver dollar-sized area with no hair growth), and his fetlock remains enlarged from lymphatic scarring. He’s sound, just a bit awkward looking above his hoof.
Blue’s healthy, happy, and in much better shape than when he arrived. He continues to have challenges with trust, mostly when introducing new things, but he continues to show progress, one baby step at a time. He loves his carrots, and he will respectfully do almost anything for a bite of carrot. He also enjoys being “Uncle Blue” to the youngsters, a job he does well!
Like we have said before, Blue’s story is not an uncommon story in terms of the hurdles we cross with any intake with special needs. We have unexpected bumps in the road that required more than anticipated. For Blue, it was the bouts of vasculitis and later, the discovery of the sarcoid. For some, it’s colic; for others, abscesses, lacerations from tree branches or scuffles with others. We can’t plan for these things, but need the resources to handle them when confronted. We are grateful to have had the support of our AAE community to assure we can manage most any unexpected issue along the way.
Blue is available for adoption only to the perfect, forever home. He needs a person that is mustang-experienced, extremely patient, and has no expectations other than companionship and providing a safe, caring home. Keep in mind, he lived on the open range for years, and he does not enjoy confinement. At AAE, he lives in a herd environment on about 10 acres. He comes in every morning and every evening at feeding time. He is somewhat social, but still skeptical of humans. Given the choice, he’d prefer a free-roaming life with occasional visit to two-leggers. Blue gives his feet for cleaning, and he is ok with the farrier when trimmed in a small paddock. Blue has learned very basic groundwork. He is always looking for Plan B, an escape. He can be touched and handled all over, but continues to have a difficult time relaxing and enjoying. He’s pretty good with his hooves, but the front right is still an effort. His leg is checked regularly for any recurrence of his sarcoid. Fortunately, we are still sarcoid free, and his scar is about the size of a quarter. Blue needs much more confidence before considering saddle training, and he will likely be a very long term project. Continuity and consistency will be key in building his confidence and advancing his skills. Blue is current with hoof and dental care, vaccines, and deworming. He has a microchip.
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
We have a truly game changing opportunity before us in these last few days of the year, but we’re going to need your help to make it happen:
The Opportunity: A generous donor has just pledged to match every single donation made up to $125,000 before the end of the year. This represents the largest matching gift in AWHC history — and we can put it toward sprinting right into next year’s important work, if we can meet this one condition before midnight on the 31st.
The Condition: Together, we need to raise $125,000 in grassroots donations to unlock this generous matching gift. Our wild horses are counting on us.
We have a chance to exceed 2019’s end-of-year fundraising total and gallop past our $75,000 Giving Tuesday goal, but in order for that to happen, we need everyone to pitch in and work together to take full advantage of this amazing generosity.
If you have saved your payment information with FastAction, your contribution will go through immediately on clicking a link.
Together, we’ve made tremendous progress this year. We made history with the first wild horse protection legislation introduced in Congress in more than a decade. We obtained the support of over five dozen members of Congress in the fight against brutal surgeries for wild mares. We have broken all records with our groundbreaking fertility control program for mustangs in Nevada, which is setting a worldwide standard. And perhaps most importantly, the momentum you created with HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of phone calls, emails, and letter-writing has grown our scrappy horse-loving grassroots movement into the powerhouse it is today.
We also have significant challenges to overcome in 2021: with 90,000 wild horses and burros in the crosshairs for removal within the next 5 years if we don’t keep up this work. We need to pull out all the stops, Meredith.
As we count down to 2021, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses in 2020.
With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity and support.
CHESNEY, CLARE, and CURLY
Meet the three C’s, Chesney, Clare, and Curly, recent intakes that came to AAE the end of November 2020, like others before them, from a distressed mustang sanctuary situation due to a family health crisis and financial distress. After 20 years of serving mustangs, the sanctuary was unable to adequately meet the needs of their horses.Upon arrival, these three were quarantined together, and they have had their hooves trimmed, dental floats, vaccines, deworming, and they got microchips. Two still have hind hooves to trim because they were naughty and need a bit more work!
CHESNEY
Chesney is a 14-ish mustang mare that was on the thin side needing hoof and dental care. She was very timid, but with lots of try. At pickup, she haltered with a slow, patient approach, and she loaded relatively easy.
Chesney lacks confidence, but she tries hard to understand. She allows her front hooves to be handled without sedation, but she needed sedation for her trim (fronts only). She wasn’t so confident with her hinds, so we’ll be working on that.
CLARE
Clare is a 15-ish Mustang mare. She is sweet (most of the time) and was relatively easy to halter. She loaded without issue, until trying to shift her inside trailer. She’s naughty around her hind end and will kick.
Clare was thin and in need of hoof and dental care. She also has a chronic fungal issue on her hinds. She is sweet and social, but can be evasive when haltering. She comes around with patience and persistence.
CURLY
Curly is about a 14-year old Curly Mustang. She is halterable, friendly, and easy going. She was easy to approach and loaded without issue.
Curly needed hoof and dental care. She was trimmed without issue (and no sedation necessary). She’s cute, personable, and seems uncomplicated.
We’re spending some time getting to know these three girls, but they should be available for adoption soon. Thus far, none have any obvious limitations, but we’ve only just begun to explore. We’re focusing on basic handling with Chesney and Clare, with priority on their hind hooves. Curly seems to have a great start, and we’ll likely introduce a saddle soon.
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
As we count down to 2021, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses in 2020.
With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity and support.
A Favorite Christmas Story
RASCAL & MADDIE
Maddie and Rascal have been buds for a while. They are two very special girls that both had very rough entries into this world, but they are doing very well. This year, the best gift ever, they went to their new home together! Rascal’s story is a long one, poor lil’ thing went through so much, but her will to live was ferocious.
Rascal faced a lot of challenges from her first day on Earth! Many of you may have heard her story, but reminiscing about Rascal never gets old. AAE got a call for help with on April 5, 2017. Rascal was just hours old; she became an orphan when her mom scaled a six foot paddock and left her behind. She was located over five hours away, so we mobilized and met in Reno to pick her up. Her lil’ body was very weak, and she couldn’t get up on her own.
First stop from Reno was Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center. Surprisingly, her initial outlook wasn’t horrible. She was diagnosed with selenium deficiency…
She was hospitalized. The initial outlook was fairly good, but after getting blood results, it was bad. Then, we got call at midnight and her blood values were moving in the wrong direction. We were preparing for not so good news in the morning. HOWEVER, Rascal had different plans. By morning, she was fighting back, she was drinking milk replacer on her own. As it turns out, she was fighting a severe selenium deficiency that caused white muscle disease, which also put her kidneys in distress. Her blood levels started trending in the right direction. There was no doubt she wanted to live! She was a FIGHTER, and she battled to live. Docs thought she was likely she’s dealing with the results of being rejected by mom, stresses of transport, and secondary effects resulting from mom’s malnourishment and selenium deficiency. but they were hopeful that with 5 +/- days of hospitalization and supportive care, she had a good shot at a relatively normal life. A BIG THANK YOU to LBEMC for their quick actions and the outstanding care provided for this little filly.
The days passed, and her progress was steady but slow. After 13 days in the hospital, she still couldn’t stand up on her own. We brought her home to continue treatment. That basically meant 24/7 care, but fear not, AAE volunteers rose to the occasion. This little gal had someone with her at all times. Rascal was playful and sassy, can’t you tell? We had so much fun with her, and she was a super sport!
Even this special volunteer kept a watchful eye. Like Holli, volunteers slept beside her at night, not the least bit phased by the enormous rats that ran across the rails of the barn and the roof. Rascal had to be lifted to her feet every two hours. Once standing, she was fine. She would romp around the inside of the barn at night, and she run around the outside of the barn by day.
After 13 days at LBEMC and another 13 days at AAE, Rascal was able to STAND up on her own.
As if selenium deficiency, white muscle disease, and distressed kidneys weren’t enough, Rascal had several more hurdles along the way including an umbilicus infection, two bouts with c. diff bacteria (diarrhea doesn’t begin to describe it), large umbilical hernia (some would say she was a he) followed by surgical repair, an enormous hoof abscess, then chronic diarrhea for nearly a year. Once the diarrhea resolved, so did all of her health issues. Today, she is healthy and thriving (and she passes normal poop). For Rascal, that’s reason to celebrate.
Beautiful girl about a year old.
Growing up
Love this girl.
She had a lot of interest and a few adoptions fell through for one reason or another
Then this happened! We couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity for Rascal and Maddie.
You met Maddie with her mom, Tae, earlier this month.
Maddie was only a few days old when she arrived at AAE. This beautiful little gal was being rejected by her mom. Mom was young, and this was probably her first foal, but sheesh, she needs to eat (drink). It was truly hard to watch.
Mom would bite her every time she tried to nurse, and she had little sores all over her tiny body. Sadly, as we were observing, mom was escalating, and it seemed to be getting more serious.
Smart little Maddie knew how to think outside of the box; she was creative. She learned she could come in the back side to find a teat. Unfortunately, she didn’t nurse like that all the time. After a while, mom picked her up with her teeth, and she tossed her. Heartbreaking to see! At that point, it didn’t look like these two would work out, so we separated them. An hour, maybe two passed.
Without baby beside her, Mom began to worry. We tried re-uniting them once more, and thankfully, everything changed. From that point on, these two were a great pair.
Soon it was time to stand on her own, but really, Maddie has always been her own girl. She’s smart, witty, sassy, and strong (minded). This is going to be one dynamo partner, but you’ll need to assure her you’re the better leader.
Before long, it was time for school, but this lil gal is still young, so she learned the basics, then she waited. And, while she waited, you know what happened next! So grateful! Happily ever after!
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
As we count down to 2021, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses in 2020.
With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity and support.
RED
Red originally came to AAE back in July 2015. He had been at the Monty Roberts International Learning Center (MRILC) for several months. His owner passed while he was at MRILC for gentling. He had been rescued, but we none of the information about him or his rescue situation was available.
Though Red spent quite a bit of time at MRILC, he had a difficult time accepting human interaction. While at MRILC, he experienced a lot. He was socialized, learned basic groundwork and long-lining, and he was introduced to a saddle (no rider). All that considered, when he arrived at AAE, it was like starting over. It took tremendous time overcoming fear and accepting humans. All of his vet care was updated when he was ready.
Red was adopted by a youth adopter in Fall of 2016. and his progress continued, but due to the life circumstances and the realities of work and finances that come with adulthood, his young adopter was unable to continue to meet Red’s needs. Red continued building trust and learning about saddle work, even carrying a rider a few times.
Red returned to AAE the beginning of January 2018. His vet care was updated again, including dental and hoof care, vaccines, and deworming. Though disappointing, we were glad Red was back at AAE. He was always a volunteer favorite, and he was enjoyed by all of the horses,too.
Such a handsome guy! Not long after returning to AAE, Red suffered a freak pasture injury. Veterinary exam indicated he ruptured his peroneus tertius muscle. This usually happens when the hock is hyperextended, likely in a quick turn or change of direction. Thankfully, it was a soft tissue injury, and not the ghastly fracture it appeared to be. Red was on stall rest for more than a year, but he healed well.
Red is a super kind and willing guy, but still has considerable difficulty accepting human interaction and trusting that no harm will come to him. First contact with him is like 50 first dates…or 593,625 first dates by now. He snorts when approached. He snorts whenever he encounters something new….even if he’s seen it a million times. Once he’s been touched by human (or monster), he is relatively easy to halter, and he seems to enjoy grooming and hanging with humans. With his injury, after a few months, he was haltered and hand-walked almost daily, but you would never know. He still acts like it’s something new.
Red is sweet, smart, and honest, however he is reactive and perpetually snorty. He is always respectful of his handler’s space. Red was looking for a home where he would be loved for him and not what he could do, a home where Red would be a companion first, potential riding horse or not. Thankfully, Red finally found his person a short while ago!!
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
As we count down to 2021, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses in 2020.
With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity and support.
Hello from Hearty Hardy!
HARDY
Hardy came to AAE in July 2019. He retired from the Folsom Police Department in 2017. Hardy was originally going to retire at AAE, but plans for him changed. We were thrilled to finally welcome him about two years later.
We recently searched the Standdardbred registry and learned he was born March 9, 1997 in Marlborough, CT. His name was HeartofHearts. Very suiting for such a loving guy! We were told he was a pacer on the harness track until he was 11 or 12, before he was retired to another rescue where he was loved by volunteers. He was subsequently adopted to the Folsom PD where he served as a police mount until 2017.
We recently searched the Standdardbred registry and learned he was born March 9, 1997 in Marlborough, CT. His name was HeartofHearts. Very suiting for such a loving guy! We were told he was a pacer on the harness track until he was 11 or 12, before he was retired to another rescue where he was loved by volunteers. He was subsequently adopted to the Folsom PD where he served as a police mount until 2017.
He was on the thin side and arthritic on arrival, so our first priority for this big love was getting him back on track with his joint injections to make him more comfortable. At retirement, he was getting bilateral hock and joint injections, but those had not been continued for an unknown period. He was also started back on daily Equioxx tabs to help, too. Then we updated his vaccines and hoof and dental care updated, he was dewormed, and he had a microchip “installed”.
Hardy is a beloved volunteer favorite, and the feeling is mutual. When he’s not getting the love of our volunteers, these days, we find this big hearted guy wandering the barn and keeping a watch over our operations and all of the horses.
He’s also known as our “taster”. As if we were a winery, he takes a little nip of everything he sees (except his own food)! And then, he acts like “What??? Me?? I didn’t do it”!
Hardy is truly one of the heart horses of AAE. He is a deeply soulful old guy that gives something to everyone without even knowing it.
He keeps a watchful eye over all of his equine friends, small and large, and we are grateful to be able to keep a watchful eye over him.
Hardy wishes everyone a happy and hearty holiday season. Happy holidays to you, Hardy, from all your AAE family!
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
The phone calls won’t stop. TWO MORE LIVES AT STAKE – AND THEY ARE PREGNANT MARES! I was asked if I will do a “slaughter intercept” and save their lives.
The clock is ticking, and I need to commit.
So now we have the CHRISTMAS CREW – PLUS 2- plus 2
2 Mares and their 2 unborn babies.
The first four Weanlings are safe, but we still need to get them vetted, transported etc.
Thank you for saving their lives! Let’s make this an even bigger Christmas Miracle and save ALL OF THEM!
This is the link to our Chilly Pepper’s Wild Horse & Orphan Foal Adoption Page,where you can see the progress and new lives of the horses YOU HAVE HELPED SAVED! (I can’t believe I didn’t do this years ago, but it is so fun to see the horses, babies and critters that are enjoying and thriving in their new lives.)
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
As we count down to 2021, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses in 2020.
With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity and support.
MARLEE
Marlee came to AAE from a small sanctuary in October 2020 during a family distress situation. She was a bit thin, and she had a large summer sore in her right eye. Marlee was a bit timid and anxious. Apparently, she was a kill pen rescue that didn’t work out with her original rescuer.
Her summer sore was treated right away. It’s healed nicely and hasn’t had any residual issues. Her spa days came later. Her hooves were trimmed. Then she got her dental, vaccines, and microchip.
Marlee is a very sweet and pretty mare, and she enjoys grooming and attention. However, she lacks confidence and tends to worry, though since she’s been in a herd environment, her confidence has grown and her worry lessened. When alone, she paces and is constantly on the move. That said, since arrival at AAE, her confidence is slowly growing, and she’s becoming more social.
Marlee has abnormal stifles, and she is not sound for riding. She is nervous with farrier and hoof handling, in general. The separation issue doesn’t help, but it seems it may be uncomfortable due to her stifle condition, as well.
Marlee is available for adoption and looking for love! She is current with hoof and dental care, vaccines, and deworming. She also has a microchip. She is best suited for a non-riding, companion home.
Marlee has bounced around a lot the last few years. She needs one last soft-landing to call her forever home. Can you be her last stop to call home???
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
As we count down to 2021, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses in 2020.
With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity and support.
The sweet Miss Mabel!
MABEL
Mabel, a mid-teen donk came to AAE in August 2019 with her two year old (intact) jack, Max, when their caretaker was unable to meet their needs. We shared some of Mabel’s story last year, and we have more updates. Before coming to AAE, Mabel endured enormous, deep sores on her legs, and irritating bites across her body. Their owner moved out of state and left Mabel and Max behind with her elderly mom who was unable to provide Mabel the care she needed to support severe fly sensitivity/allergy. Rather than see Mabel suffer through another summer, she was going to euthanize Mabel. As fate would have it, Mabel had a special friend that advocated for her and asked AAE if we could help.
Who could resist those faces? Mabel is the sweetest donk on earth; well, most of the time. She didn’t used to be. When she was initially seen for veterinary treatment in 2018, she was basically unhandled. In time, she understood her doc was helping her. Through that long healing process, she learned humans were ok. That made it much more practical to change her bandages and treat her legs. Mabel enjoyed her little donk pals, too. They looked up to her.
If you want an idea of what this poor girl went through, you can see Graphic photos of Mabel’s legs during healing at AAE, and photos from 2018 before coming to AAE.
If you noticed the swelling on her right cheek, Mabel also had a supernumerary (extra) tooth that was extracted when her dental was done shortly after arrival.
There was one more thing Mabel came with, but we didn’t learn about him until February 29, 2020. Mabel and Max had lived in separate paddocks a their previous home, but sadly, we were surprised to learn they spent at least a little time together before coming to AAE. Turns out, Mabel was pregnant and aborted an approximately 9 month old lil’ jack. We named him Maddox. Half of her placenta passed sometime in the early morning. When we found Mabel in the morning, she was calm and quiet, stoic as ever, seemingly unphased. It was an extremely difficult situation (baby was breach, and the cord was around his neck and between his two front legs). The vet came to AAE but was unable to remove Maddox’s lifeless lil body, so Mabel was transported to Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center. The docs struggled to remove the lil’ guy, and it wasn’t until their last ditch effort of suspending her hind end, were they finally successful. Though sedated, this was one stoic girl, and we are so happy she survived the ordeal like a champ.
Through all this, Mabel is still an incredibly sweet gal, and she’s grateful to all for helping her heal. She’s recovered well, and her legs have healed in all but one small spot on her left leg. It’s a highly mobile area, and the skin is tight with scar tissue. There’s about a quarter sized spot that is as stubborn as Mabel. On a positive note, Mabel made it through the 2020 fly season with minimal issues; however, she was on a steroid and antihistamines to help with itching from flies. We also used a war chest full of fly products and used hock shields to protect her scarred areas. It all worked quite well.
So, the bestMabel has an extreme sensitivity to flies, and she is high maintenance during fly season. She needs an adopter who can commit 100% to her fly control/fly management two to three times a day. This year, we used hock shields to cover the scarred areas, and they were effective, but they can’t be used long term because they cause rub sores. Mabel is a sweet and friendly donkey who is mostly easy to handle. She’s not crazy about the farrier, but does well with sedation. Mabel is looking for an experience burro/donkey home. Mabel and Sandy, our other burro, are bonded and get along very well. Ideally, they will find a home together.
The most fun part of the year was when Mabel met Sandy…..or when Sandy met Mabel? Sandy hadn’t been around another donkeyburro for about seven years. The photos say it all. How sweet is that? They have been together ever since.
They’re waiting at the gate for you. Mabel says she really loves it here at AAE, and she loves all of the wonderful volunteers, be she’s really ready for happily ever after! Are you the one to make her holiday wishes come true?
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
A winter 911 – The shipper called. 4 ??? (and possibly more) babies at the feed lot. No chance to save the rest of them, so we need to make sure we get these little ones to safety.
Without your love and support, I cannot save their precious little lives.
So please, let’s give these babies a Christmas Miracle. Their lives have been horribly disrupted. They have been rounded up and will now lose their entire families. I DO NOT have the option to save their families, and it makes it even more urgent that we save the ones we can.
This is NOT the time of year to be driving up to WA to get babies. However, God put them in front of me, so once again I am asking y’all to step up and help save these precious lives.
Please help if you can. Our funds are extremely low, and YOU, decide if we can save these babies. The Christmas Crew needs your help ASAP!
Thank you as always for all y’all do. Together we have saved so many lives. Let’s “git ‘er done”.
We have Lady Love’s eye removal, Big Matt’s sedation to get his feet trimmed and the goat’s leg amputation scheduled for next Monday,(If funding allows). We also still need to geld Grandpa and Hawk, (weather and funding allowed). Tucker is also scheduled to have his knee worked on. He has been on major antibiotics, but he is still struggling with his injured leg. I am saying my prayers it is not in his joint, but his leg is not improving like Doc hoped. So not only will we have the vet bills for the new kids, but are looking at a substantial vet bill in NV coming up.
So please, help us give the Christmas Crew a little bit of Merry Christmas…. Let’s save their lives.
This is the link to our Chilly Pepper’s Wild Horse & Orphan Foal Adoption Page,where you can see the progress and new lives of the horses YOU HAVE HELPED SAVED! (I can’t believe I didn’t do this years ago, but it is so fun to see the horses, babies and critters that are enjoying and thriving in their new lives.)
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
As we count down to 2021, join us every day this month as we share stories from the barn that show how your support has helped horses in 2020.
With the uncertainties and challenges of this year, we truly appreciate your generosity and support.
GYPSY
ypsy is a mustang mare that was captured as a long-yearling in the Calico Roundup in one of the Calico Mountain HMAs in NV, so she was born around 2008. She was subsequently adopted as a long-yearling/two year old from the Broken Arrow (aka Indian Lakes) holding facility in Fallon, Nevada, then placed at DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary. Gypsy spent nearly a decade roaming free at DreamCatcher before coming to AAE in April 2018 after the long illness and passing of DreamCatcher’s Executive Director, Barbara Clarke.
Gypsy came with her young filly, Calico Girl, to avoid the harsh winter at the sanctuary. They were quite the confident pair when they arrived. Gypsy was very laid back and curious about humans, at arms length. She’d accept a rub on her forehead and neck, but she made clear it was on her terms (in a nice way). “Nope, nope, don’t think so”. She was bossy with the other mares and foals, and Cali Girl aspired to be just like mom. Quite boldly, and only weeks old, she would push the other moms and foals off feed. They quickly made their way to their own paddock so the others could eat in peace.
Gypsy is beautiful, stout and lest we forget, dominant, but with a kind soul. After weaning her filly, she softened incredibly and became a most agreeable, sweet, and willing gal. She became best buds with Blue in the pasture.
When she returned to AAE, we continued her training and confidence building. She’s a smart mare and quick learner, but she had a very hard time connecting with and trusting her handler. Gypsy was willing, but reserved and seldom relaxed. We knew she had so much potential, and with the right person, she would forge a remarkable bond.
She met that person! Gypsy spent some time with a foster trainer; she broke through and the two developed a lovely bond. There were many moments of whoa, then go, but in the end, it was YES!! We are so incredibly grateful, her foster decided to make Gypsy part of her family! We can’t wait to for updates from these two. So happy for you, Gyps!
This holiday season please consider making a year end donation to assure AAE has funding to continue the work we do and have similar stories to share in 2021
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
As a sponsor, your annual or monthly contribution helps support the costs of care for a specific horse.
You can sponsor at any level or any amount you choose. You will receive an electronic “gift letter” with a photo of an AAE horse, acknowledging your gift on behalf of your recipient.
The Patriotic US Flag/Mustang image on front and Mustang is My Favorite Breed (or Rescue is My Favorite Breed) in white on back. Available in Black, Ash Gray, Navy, and Brown.
Orders may be picked up at the AAE Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs or
Stop by the AAE Used Tack Store to find the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life! Don’t know what they need? We have gift cards, too!
Here are more ways you can help!
Doing any winter cleaning? Donate your gently used tack to AAE’s Used Tack Store in Shingle Springs. We very much appreciate tack donations delivered to the store in sale ready condition (e.g. clean, conditioned, oiled). Please email tack@allaboutequine.org for information about donating or to schedule a delivery.
Proceeds from used tack sales help pay for feed, veterinary expenses, and other operational needs.
Have you considered adopting a rescue horse?
Give the gift that keeps on giving by sponsoring a horse on behalf of a horse-loving friend or family member!
