Today is a major milestone for us. One year ago, we signed an agreement with the State of Nevada to launch a PZP fertility control program for the famed Virginia Range wild horse herd in Nevada. It’s now the largest humane wild horse fertility control program in the world.
Our mission was to prove that there is an effective and cost-efficient way to humanely manage wild horse populations without expensive roundups, crowded holding corrals, or dangerous sterilization surgeries.
We’re proud to announce that this program hasn’t just been a success, it has exceeded all expectations. And we wanted to give you an inside look at this historic program as we expand on this work in the months ahead.
↓ Watch The Video ↓
In our program, volunteer darters deliver the safe and effective fertility control vaccine PZP remotely to wild mares on the range. The vaccine is 97% effective in preventing pregnancy and is an excellent tool to keep wild horses in balance with their environment.
And, unlike the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) $81 million-a-year roundup program, our program is cost-effective and most importantly, keeps wild horses where they belong: in the wild.
From the get-go, there were skeptics: “How do you expect to deliver fertility control in such a large wild horse population in such a vast habitat area?”
But we didn’t back down from the challenge. Our team — including our incredible volunteers — worked hard, day-in and day-out. And tens of thousands of you supported this work along the way.
Over the course of this past year, our mostly volunteer team delivered over 1,700 fertility control treatments (primers and boosters) to more than 950 mares in the 300,000-acre Virginia Range. That number represents nearly 80% of the reproductive-age mares in this roughly 3,000-horse mustang population.
The Stunning News? Our team actually OUTPERFORMED the BLM’s own program to administer fertility control!
We didn’t do this alone. This successful effort would not be possible without our village of partners and supporters — the Nevada Department of Agriculture, political and business leaders, including Governor Steve Sisolak, Assemblyman Jim Wheeler, tech company Blockchains LLC and real estate developer Lance Gilman, to local wild horse organizations, our amazing team of dedicated volunteers, and generous supporters like you.
I hope that you feel as proud as I do of this work, our team in Nevada, and what we have all achieved together.
Even as we celebrate these accomplishments, we know that this work is far from over. The BLM and the livestock industry continue to push for a multi-billion dollar plan to round up and remove more than 100,000 wild horses from public lands in the next ten years.
We’ll continue to fight back using every resource at our disposal. And, even during these difficult times for our country, we’ll work to expand our operations in Nevada — home to more than half of the nation’s remaining wild horses — to continue to show that wild horses can be managed humanely and to ensure that America’s mustangs stay wild and free.
Many of us have more time on our hands these days and we wanted to give you some important news and provide some interactive materials about wild horses that you and your family can utilize while staying at home.
A Hard-Earned Victory for California’s Devil’s Garden Wild Horses
Back in 2018, AWHC joined forces with the Animal Legal Defense Fund and California local advocate Carla Bowers to file a lawsuit to stop the U.S. Forest Service from selling California wild horses for slaughter. The horses in question were captured in fall 2018 from the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory in northeast California’s Modoc National Forest.
We’re pleased to report that this litigation blocked the Forest Service from selling the Devil’s Garden wild horses for slaughter, giving Congress time to act.
In December, after U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, 66 members of Congress, and 22 members of the California State Legislature joined the public in opposing the slaughter plan, Congress passed legislation to prohibit the Forest Service from destroying healthy horses and selling them without limitation on slaughter.
This is the same prohibition that Congress has long imposed on the Bureau of Land Management. We’re grateful to all the AWHC supporters who donated to support our litigation, which played a critical role in securing this prohibition on slaughter of wild horses and burros under U.S. Forest Service jurisdiction.
But, the Devil’s Garden Wild Horses Still Aren’t Safe Yet (Action Alert)
In fall of 2019, the Forest Service rounded up and removed 499 more wild horses from the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory. The majority of the horses have been adopted or sold, some, disturbingly, for $1 a piece. Approximately 100 wild horses — including older horses, pregnant mares and foals — remain in corrals in the Modoc National Forest.
Unlike the BLM, which has halted sales and adoptions of horses and burros during the COVID-19 crisis, the Forest Service continues to dispose of these federally-protected animals for $1 a piece. Worse, a single buyer can purchase 24 horses at a time, and the government will transport them for free, including to states as far away as Arkansas and Florida!
The Forest Service has no adequate system for vetting potential buyers or following up after horses are purchased to ensure their welfare.
By selling horses in bulk for $1 a piece and shipping them for free across the country with no safeguards to protect them from abuse and slaughter, the Forest Service is creating an avenue to sidestep Congress’ slaughter ban.
We’ll be the first to say it: It can be difficult to stay up to speed with the complex issues affecting our nation’s wild horses and burros. With so many federal agencies, acronyms and applicable laws, it’s easy to get confused.
That’s why we’re going to break it down for you on Thursday, April 16, with the launch of our ‘Wild Horses 101’ webinar series.
We want this to be an interactive experience! Which is why we’re encouraging you to submit questions so we can address them as we tackle some of the most important topics.
Our first segment will go over the history of wild horses and how we arrived at the place we are now. We hope you’ll tune in.
And Finally, A Fun Activity For The Kids At Home
We know that many of you are juggling a number of responsibilities at home, and for those with young kids, we’re offering a way to keep them entertained!
We took a bit of inspiration from Velma Johnston, aka “Wild Horse Annie,” who was the influential wild horse advocate responsible for some of the most important wild horse protections on the books. As part of her campaign to save America’s mustangs, she organized a wildly successful children’s writing brigade that generated national support for mustangs and led to the passage of the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
AWHC hopes to harness that spirit again by getting kids involved in the fight to save our mustangs. A great place to start is with our official children’s activity book: it’s available completely for free and includes coloring pages, a word search, and writing prompts!
That’s our news for the week… our best wishes to you and your loved ones during this difficult time.
Once again I hope this finds you safe and healthy. Our prayers go out for all the families in crisis.
UPDATE – WE RECEIVED GOOD NEWS!!!
His upper airways were compromised and that is why he was having trouble breathing. Thankfully they are clear now and although he continues to have issues, it appears most of it is staying out of his lungs.
He may need scoped if these issues continue, and he is definitely not out of the woods, but we are not losing him this morning. Both Docs said go back to the bottle.
It was terrifying listening to him gurgle and choke this morning. His little nostrils are too small to use their scope, so we are heading home, praising God that although he sounded like Dandelion, he has a real chance to get through this.
Bruiser is crashing. It’s 3 a.m. and I can hear him struggling to breathe. He has fought so hard to be here, and we finally got his blood test coming back close to normal. It was a big improvement, but he was still having issues.
Bruiser is having trouble when he drinks his milk. We always take them off the bottle asap, and many times they never even see a bottle. However, this is when Bruiser’s troubles started.
He was “off”, or “special” if you will, when we got him. His band left him alone to die. It is obvious there were multiple reasons for Mama to leave him. In the wild, if a baby is sick or injured, the stallion or others in the band will often kill it, or they just leave it behind. It is harsh, but is is survival and they do not want predators attracted.
He was not a “dummy” foal, but his brain was not fully wired yet. He has been improving, but this morning I can hear the pneumonia. He has been on antibiotics and Doc has tried numerous ones to help him, but this is a critical situation at this point.
I am not sure if Comstock can save him or not, (they have a hospital on sight).
It is so hard, because this is not a baby that has been depressed or lays around moping. He is feisty and runs and plays, but he is crashing right now.
It is definitely NOT in the budget, but I have to try and give him one last chance.
PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN! There is so much heartache out there. I am hoping and praying he will have a chance, but we can only do what our budget allows. At this time, it’s pretty scary.
I understand many folks are in financial crisis. If you are not in a position to safely donate, please just share this information.
Below, Bruiser and LuLu, enjoying their cuddle time.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
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.
Once again I hope this finds you safe and healthy. Our prayers go out for all the families in crisis.
Bruiser is crashing. It’s 3 a.m. and I can hear him struggling to breathe. He has fought so hard to be here, and we finally got his blood test coming back close to normal. It was a big improvement, but he was still having issues.
Bruiser is having trouble when he drinks his milk. We always take them off the bottle asap, and many times they never even see a bottle. However, this is when Bruiser’s troubles started.
He was “off”, or “special” if you will, when we got him. His band left him alone to die. It is obvious there were multiple reasons for Mama to leave him. In the wild, if a baby is sick or injured, the stallion or others in the band will often kill it, or they just leave it behind. It is harsh, but is is survival and they do not want predators attracted.
He was not a “dummy” foal, but his brain was not fully wired yet. He has been improving, but this morning I can hear the pneumonia. He has been on antibiotics and Doc has tried numerous ones to help him, but this is a critical situation at this point.
I am not sure if Comstock can save him or not, (they have a hospital on sight).
It is so hard, because this is not a baby that has been depressed or lays around moping. He is feisty and runs and plays, but he is crashing right now.
It is definitely NOT in the budget, but I have to try and give him one last chance.
PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN! There is so much heartache out there. I am hoping and praying he will have a chance, but we can only do what our budget allows. At this time, it’s pretty scary.
I understand many folks are in financial crisis. If you are not in a position to safely donate, please just share this information.
Below, Bruiser and LuLu, enjoying their cuddle time.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
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.
Once again I hope this finds you safe and healthy. Our prayers go out for all the families in crisis.
MEET “DESTINY” – As you can see, she has quite the injury and needs vet care as soon as possible. If she cannot be fixed, we would give her a peaceful ending. However, I am hopeful that with lots of TLC we can save her.
URGENT – RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TODAY FOR A NEWBORN (Not sure how many) ON THE FEED LOT. Thankfully, (if you can find anything to be thankful about in these situations) baby gets to stay with Mama for a few more days. When Mama ships, we will need to be there. (I DO NOT have an option to save Mama). It is beyond heartbreaking, but we have to focus on the ones we can save.
SEVERELY INJURED MARE – DESTINY – This mare’s injury is in such a place it may be extremely hard for it to heal. At the very least she needs to be kept off the slaughter truck. WE ARE HER ONLY CHANCE!If you blow up the photo you can see how big her gash is, and that she already has swelling in her tummy. She needs help asap.
I have a vet scheduled for Monday to see if she can help her. (Can’t get her until we raise the funds to save and vet her.) We are also doing Coggins, Health Certs etc. on the other kids. Out of 4 TB colts, only one was healthy. Sadly, our beautiful little buckskin passed during the night. I was told she was eating and drinking but not feeling well, and this morning when they went out to feed she had passed. We have a huge hernia to repair, a big gouge in the chest of one of the colts, and a severely swollen hock on another one.
All of these horses were considered to have no value. They were all “thrown away”. Let’s give them the chance they deserve.
Can you imagine that mare being pushed around in the crowded slaughter truck? Her wound getting bigger and bigger Let’s save her from a horrific trailer ride and imminent slaughter.
I understand many folks are in financial crisis. If you are not in a position to safely donate, please just share this information.
Below, Bruiser and LuLu, enjoying their cuddle time.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
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.
During these uncertain times, our thoughts are with you, our AAE community, your families and friends.
We have YOU, thank you!
Important Updates
Out of an abundance of caution for your well-being and that of our volunteers, participants, supporters, and vendors, AAE made the difficult decision to postpone our Boots & Bling event from May 2, 2020 to a late Summer/early Fall date.
Due to the uncertainties with the current COVID-19 situation, our event venue has a scheduling moratorium in place. As soon as we can we can move forward with scheduling, taking into consideration the safety of everyone involved, we will announce a new date.
Boots and Bling is critical to AAE’s annual funding, and it is also a very important event where all of AAE’s supporters can come together.
We assure you, Boots will not be canceled.
The BEST part is we’ll have more time to create a BETTER event!!
We hope you are as excited as we are to get the date set!
Again, out of an abundance of caution for our volunteer and community safety,
we have implemented numerous measures related to COVID-19 which have impacted our day to day activities at AAE.
Though we have many horses looking for homes, our ADOPTION VISITS are temporarily on hold.
If you are interested in adopting a horse, we are still working remotely to discuss adoption interest and review inquiries.
Our VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES have been temporarily limited to small teams
carrying out essential activities to assure the horses are well cared for.
We continue accessing veterinary, hoof and dental care, as needed.
NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS have been temporarily postponed;
Unless you’re conducting essential activities, please stay at home and help flatten the curve!
SADLY, WE LOST HOPE,
but we haven’t lost hope
Though things were looking good for HOPE, they took a quick turn, and we were left with no good options.
HOPE came to us because of an eye issue that had been neglected for at least the last year and a half,
likely much longer.
After initial evaluation, no definitive cause could be determined with certainty (e.g. injury, infection, tumor, etc).
We made the decision to move forward with surgery to remove her eye. Unfortunately, the surgeon found a large tumor (melanoma) behind the eye. Because melanomas are not typically lethal, and because they can “respond in different ways” (e.g. become dormant, grow slowly, or grow rapidly), the surgeon felt the chance for a comfortable life was possible, and he closed the incision site, giving HOPE a chance.
HOPE made it through surgery without issues. She was thriving. Though swollen, she seemed much more comfortable, was eating well, and she was enjoying lots of TLC. Two weeks passed after surgery, swelling was reducing, and HOPE was doing great!
A few days later, we noticed some new drainage above HOPE’s incision. A quick trip to the vet for rebandaging resulted in some unanticipated sad news. It appeared the skin/tissue was dying.
When the doc removed the sutures and the dying tissue, he discovered the tumor had grown rapidly.
The recently empty orbit was now filled with tumor. Though we hoped for no to slow growth, sadly, luck wasn’t on HOPE’s side. At the rate the tumor had grown, it was highly unlikely the eye would heal, and the tumor was so large and deep, and there was nothing more we could do other than help her across the Rainbow Bridge.
HOPE lost her battle, but our hope lives on. HOPE touched our lives in ways we’ll never forget.
Farewell sweet girl, you deserved so much better.
We’re thankful HOPE had some relief, good food, and her final days were filled with love and kindness through the end.
Thank you for helping HOPE.
On another kind of BOOTS note,
we need your ol’ boots!
If you’re like many during the “stay at home” situation, and you’re doing some pre-spring cleaning….
We need your gently used, unwanted boots!
Our decor plan for Boots & Bling includes what, of course?
Boots! and we still need some more.
Also, the if you’re familiar with the R3C Wild Horse Program at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center, the inmate trainers are sorely in need of men’s western boots. They currently have 8 inmate mustang trainers, and they need boots. The soles are literally falling off of their boots. The program relies on donations of used boots and thrift store finds. But their sources have been slim pickins, especially since everything is now shut down due to COVID.
If you happen to have any Western boots you no longer need, we can use them for our Boots & Bling event or pass them forward to the R3C program. These men work hard, without complaint (even about the condition of their boots) & are changing their lives while gentling wild mustangs.
After Boots & Bling, we’ll transfer the decor boots to AAE’s Used Tack Store, where all sales benefit the horses at AAE. We’ll also be an ongoing source of men’s boots to support the R3C program. You can donate boots for the R3C program at the store (once we resume store hours). Be sure to specify the boots are for R3C on your donation form.
Remember to select All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc. as your charity of choice,
AmazonSmile donates to AAE with every purchase, at no cost to you!
This is a FREE and EASY way YOU can help raise funds for AAE.
It’s been a long, hard few weeks, and we are so grateful your support allowed us to help with some very challenging situations. Thank you are two very small words that mean so very much.
KATIE and HEIDI’S Story
We wanted to share Katie and Heidi’s story sooner, but due to their condition, it felt like we needed to wait until we knew more. It’s only been a week, but it’s a hard story to tell.
AAE was contacted in early January 2020 by an older woman asking if we could take their mini donkey and two goats because she and husband were getting older and “selling the farm”. She said the donkey, Katie, was older and tiny (28-30″) w/a lil arthritis….and the goats were mid-teens, older and a lil arthritis, but they all got around fine. Sadly, there was no urgency communicated. It seems AAE always has a full house, so we couldn’t help in that moment. When it finally seemed like the load was lightening in early March, we coordinated a pick-up. We learned one of the goats passed the week before, apparently victim of a predator. What should have been a routine intake turned out to be a very heart-wrenching surrender.
When we arrived, we found poor Katie emaciated beyond imagine; she was down and lethargic and looked as if she was dying at that moment. She was a bag of bones and couldn’t get up. Her head hung low, her ears were flat, and her tongue hung from her mouth. Her coat was so long and thick, it masked her bony frame. There was literally, hardly any muscle anywhere on her body (e.g. hips, neck, cheeks, etc.). Heidi, her lil goat friend, must have been eating all of Katie’s food. She was beyond plump, but extremely arthritic. Through some gentle urging and support, Katie got up. Heidi, too. We had to usher each of them to the transport van, then lift each of them in. Thankfully, we were not far from home, but it seemed like the longest seven mile drive. Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center was called as soon as we got on the road, and they arrived about 10 mins after we got the girls unloaded and in a stall.
It was a sad scene as we watched; the vets were very concerned about Katie’s condition, and Heidi, too. After initial evaluation, Katie got fluids, a small dose of pain meds, and blood was drawn. Heidi got some pain meds for her arthritis and other meds to help her, too. We needed blood results before we could really evaluate Katie’s chance for recovery. While waiting for blood results, we started Katie on a very slow refeeding program giving her very small amounts of an alfalfa pellet mash every four to six hours. She was interested, but it didn’t seem easy to eat/swallow, though she tried. It was hard to know if she was simply weak from starving, whether there was an underlying cause, or both. Quite the opposite for Heidi, she was on a similar diet, but for opposite reasons. Eating came quite easy for her.
Katie’s blood results were poor, indicating refeeding syndrome. Considering her geriatric condition, emaciated, arthritis, blind, neuro issues (droopy tongue), diarrhea with crusty poop smothering her hind end, mats, lice, pressure sores, few very sharp teeth, and an apparent history of foundering, it was amazing she was alive. She should have been done long ago, but somehow, she had brief moments of “I want to live”. She smiled with her perky ears. She played with her food bowl and water bucket a couple times. She’d try to follow you out the stall door. She’d nudge up against your knee. But most of the time between those moments, her head continued to hang low, her ears flat, and her tongue hanging lifeless from her mouth.
Though it seemed grim, she deserved a chance. She had been fed hay and cob, but due to the condition of her mouth with only a few remaining teeth, and sharp at that, she was unable to process that feed. Katie had moments of wanting to eat, wanting to drink, and she was able to get up on her own, though not easy. She tried, and we held onto hope. We tried to make her as comfortable as possible, clipping her crusty hair (which she actually enjoyed), and she loved the brush. Removing the old, dead hair only revealed more of her bony frame.
After 36 hours, another blood sample was drawn. Some values improved, but some got worse. Sadly, over the hours, her spirits were up and down. After 72 hours, the down was outweighing the up. She was losing her interest in food and water, and as much as we wanted her to fight, it hurt too much to ask her to keep going. Without a doubt, it would be a long road ahead, and with all her body had been through, it didn’t seem her lil’ body could hang on so long. After another 12 long hours with no interest in eating, and it seemed she was tiring of the fight, we helped Katie across the Rainbow Bridge. Heidi, the brave and stoic friend, was in a very painful condition, too.
The two girls arrived together, and they crossed together…together forever, pain free.
Katie was a remarkable example of incredible resilience, and absolute forgiveness. She should have hated humans, yet Katie was the kindest, sweetest, most gentle soul I have ever known.
RIP sweet girls. We miss you and wish we could have known you much, much longer!
Two more recent stories…
HOPE
February started relatively quietly until mid-month. We took in four minis from an elderly owner that was struggling with chronic health issues and he was no longer physically able to care for them. Their story is still unfolding. A little over a week later, AAE got a call about another horse in dire need of help. All other avenues had failed this poor girl. Sadly, she had an eye issue she’d been dealing with for at least a year and a half, and she was not thriving. After some urging, the owner surrendered the sweet mare.
We call her Hope because we have so much hope for her.
Hope is another incredibly kind soul. We picked her up (she loaded without hesitation) and transported her directly to Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, even though it was Sunday. Rightfully so, she was hesitant to have anyone on or near her left side, though by the time she settled in the clinic, she must have known help had arrived. Hope weighed in at 750 pounds. Not a lot for a horse her size (~15.0 hh). She also has an abundance of melanomas around her rectal area, on tail, and the corners of her lips; however, none were open, draining, or otherwise appearing to be an immediate issue.
After initial evaluation, Hope was scheduled for eye removal surgery the next day. More graphic photos. Surgery revealed a melanoma behind her eye. It was partially removed; however, some of the tumor had infiltrated muscles and nerves. Dr. Errico removed what he could without causing further damage. Hope was slow recovering, but after her second night in the clinic, she was ready to transfer to AAE.
Hope loaded into the trailer at night and hauled like a champ. Once back at the barn, she looked forward to a yummy mash for dinner. By morning, relief and relaxation were setting in.
Within a couple days, there was light in Hope’s eye, and she was very much enjoying the attention. Her bandage came off, and the relief was obvious. Hope continues to heal, swelling is reducing, and she’s enjoying plentiful food. This gal is obviously so very grateful for the help.
MABEL and MADDOX
A few days of relative quiet (how quiet can it be with 50-ish horses onsite?), Saturday morning came in with a bang. Our Shift Leader arrived to find our dearest donk, Mabel, trying to deliver a foal. Sadly, she stood there with the amniotic sac hanging from her vulva and a partial placenta on the ground. Not good. Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center was on the way.
Mabel came to AAE in August needing help w/severe fly allergies causing enormous open lesions on hind her legs. She was afflicted with the same issue the prior year and thanks to tremendous care by Dr. Stolba, she recovered then, and she was on her way to recovery now.
Mabel was accompanied to AAE by her two-year-old (intact) Jack, Max. We were told that they had been separated for quite some time, and there was no chance she was pregnant. Well, guess what? Wrong. The extra weight she was carrying recently was not from the plentiful food she was been given at AAE. It looks like Mabel came in 6 months in foal.
After initial exam, sadly, baby was lifeless and not where it should be. Extensive efforts were made at AAE to remove the baby; however, no luck. Mabel was prepped for transport to LBEMC for further treatment, and hopefully not needing a c-section to remove foal. Mabel’s good pal, Hardy, watched with obvious concern for his gal pal. He would have ridden with her if you could.
After further unsuccessful efforts to remove the foal, Mabel was anesthetized. Her hind end was hoisted in a last attempt to remove the foal. If the docs did not succeed, she would need a C-section. The sedation and re-positioning worked. Baby was successfully removed. It was a little guy, preterm at about 280 to 290 days. We named him Maddox. Actually, for his “age”, he was quite large, and as sad as it is, it seems this might have been a blessing in disguise. Can’t imagine Mabel trying to deliver him with another 45-60 days of growth. Mabel took a while to awake from sedation, but when she stabilized, she was escorted to the clinic “suite” for a day or two of pampering.
After two nights of observation and monitoring with some pain management, as well, Mabel was ready to come home. Everyone was beyond thrilled and relieved to have her back.
Though Hardy was elated to see his gal, she was not so enthusiastic, understandably so. It’s been about 10 days and thankfully Mabel is recovering well.
We’re terribly sad Maddox didn’t survive, but so grateful Mabel survived this ordeal.
Funds raised at Boots & Bling supports a large portion of AAE’s annual budget ensuring we continue saving and serving horses and humans throughout the year.
Boots & Bling and AAE need YOU!
There are other ways to help and support AAE!
Sponsor our BIG event!
Event SPONSORSHIP and TABLE SPONSORSHIP options are available!
If you would like to sponsor this event or want more information on sponsoring, please contact BandB@allaboutequine.org
We also need LIVE, DESSERT and SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS!
If you would like to donate to our live and silent auctions or want more information on donating, please contact Dani@allaboutequine.org All donation are needed by 4/10/20
We’ve Extended Our Hours!
Check out our facebook page for pop-up hours and specials!
Friday thru Monday 12p to 4p
Tuesday & Thursday 2p to 6p
AAE Used Tack Store is at
4261 Sunset Lane
Shingle Springs, CA 957362
530-363-6096
If you’d like to donate tack or join the volunteer team at the store, please send us an email.
Remember to select All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc. as your charity of choice,
AmazonSmile donates to AAE with every purchase, at no cost to you!
This is a FREE and EASY way YOU can help raise funds for AAE.
As many of you know, we have a continuing need to expand store hours.
PILOT HILL – OLD FENCE CLEANUP
Fence cleanup day. Help us remove old fencing and get us closer to moving some horses!
Perimeter fencing should be done in a couple days, with only tying up the loose ends.
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Work 9a to 1p
We will be pulling out old t-post fencing with a t-post puller tools (we have four), wood posts with the help of a tractor, and winding up all the old wire and stacking it where others can get to it later. The material will either go to recycle or may even be re-sold for crafting/rustic art.
Please bring: Heavy work gloves (leather), Water/Drink for yourself, Hat, Boots and long pants
We will provide: T-Post pullers, wire cutters, hammers, screw drivers, and extra gloves.
You are welcome to bring a family member or friend to help as long as they are over 16 yrs of age. Please let Jean know so we can be sure we have enough tools.
We need more help staff the store on Wednesday afternoons, 2p-6p, can you help?
We would also like to expand our daily hours.
Fri to Mon 10-12 and 2-6. With enough help, we can split the shifts, 10a to 2p and 2p to 6p.
Likewise, Tues-Thurs, we’d like to add 10a to 2p.
If you’re interested in helping with tack store activities (e.g. cleaning donated tack, researching/pricing, organizing/merchandising, blanket/tack repairs, picking up tack donations, helping customers, sharing AAE info, admin support, and more), we need you.
Current store hours are Fri-Mon 12-4p, and recently added Tues/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.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:
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.
BOOTS & BLING 2020
We have kicked off our Boots & Bling planning for 2020. The event has included a catered BBQ Dinner, DJ Music and Dancing, Live/Silent/Dessert auctions, a special fundraiser, and line dancing with instruction. We need help in most areas for planning for this event to make sure its a huge success for AAE and our horses.
Please email us if you are interested in helping with Boots & Bling.
We meet once a month until the event.
SPECIAL PROJECTS AROUND THE BARN
Maybe you’d like to help around the barn, but don’t want to work directly with the horses,
or you don’t like to muck?
We could use some daily to weekly to monthly help cleaning and organizing, whether it’s the feed room, the meds room, the office, the tools, groundskeeping, painting shelters, monitoring the fencelines, dump runs, tree trimming, coordinating vehicle maintenance, or a zillion other things.
There’s so much that needs to be done, and we can use extra hands to help keep things looking nice and clean.
Please email us if you are interested/available during regular barn shifts,
Mon-Sat 8a-noon, Sun 9a-1p or afternoons 3p-6p.
Daily Horse Care, especially pm shifts (Daily 8a-12p or 3p-6p)
Used Tack Store Support, all areas (Fri – Mon, 12-4p, possibly T, W, Th 2-6p)
Barn/Facility Maintenance
Foster Homes, Long-Term Foster/Sanctuary Homes
Capital Campaign Support
Board Members
Fundraising/Events
Grants – Writing and Research
Volunteer, Project, and Activity Coordinators
Outreach Activities
Youth Programs
Therapy Programs
Veteran Programs
Special Projects
Admin Support
Marketing
Graphics
Social Media
Bloggers
Photographers
Media and/or Photo Librarian
More, more, more
Interested in volunteering or volunteering in other areas?
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.
Funds raised at Boots & Bling supports a large portion of AAE’s annual budget ensuring we continue saving and serving horses and humans throughout the year.
Boots & Bling and AAE need YOU!
There are other ways to help and support AAE!
Sponsor our BIG event!
Event SPONSORSHIP and TABLE SPONSORSHIP options are available!
If you would like to sponsor this event or want more information on sponsoring, please contact BandB@allaboutequine.org
We also need LIVE, DESSERT and SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS!
If you would like to donate to our live and silent auctions or want more information on donating, please contact Dani@allaboutequine.org All donation are needed by 4/10/20
We’ve Extended Our Hours!
Check out our facebook page for pop-up hours and specials!
Friday thru Monday 12p to 4p
Tuesday & Thursday 2p to 6p
AAE Used Tack Store is at
4261 Sunset Lane
Shingle Springs, CA 957362
530-363-6096
If you’d like to donate tack or join the volunteer team at the store, please send us an email.
Remember to select All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc. as your charity of choice,
AmazonSmile donates to AAE with every purchase, at no cost to you!
This is a FREE and EASY way YOU can help raise funds for AAE.
As many of you know, we have a continuing need to expand store hours.
PILOT HILL – OLD FENCE CLEANUP
Fence cleanup day. Help us remove old fencing and get us closer to moving some horses!
Perimeter fencing should be done in a couple days, with only tying up the loose ends.
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Work 9a to 1p
We will be pulling out old t-post fencing with a t-post puller tools (we have four), wood posts with the help of a tractor, and winding up all the old wire and stacking it where others can get to it later. The material will either go to recycle or may even be re-sold for crafting/rustic art.
Please bring: Heavy work gloves (leather), Water/Drink for yourself, Hat, Boots and long pants
We will provide: T-Post pullers, wire cutters, hammers, screw drivers, and extra gloves.
You are welcome to bring a family member or friend to help as long as they are over 16 yrs of age. Please let Jean know so we can be sure we have enough tools.
We need more help staff the store on Wednesday afternoons, 2p-6p, can you help?
We would also like to expand our daily hours.
Fri to Mon 10-12 and 2-6. With enough help, we can split the shifts, 10a to 2p and 2p to 6p.
Likewise, Tues-Thurs, we’d like to add 10a to 2p.
If you’re interested in helping with tack store activities (e.g. cleaning donated tack, researching/pricing, organizing/merchandising, blanket/tack repairs, picking up tack donations, helping customers, sharing AAE info, admin support, and more), we need you.
Current store hours are Fri-Mon 12-4p, and recently added Tues/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.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:
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.
BOOTS & BLING 2020
We have kicked off our Boots & Bling planning for 2020. The event has included a catered BBQ Dinner, DJ Music and Dancing, Live/Silent/Dessert auctions, a special fundraiser, and line dancing with instruction. We need help in most areas for planning for this event to make sure its a huge success for AAE and our horses.
Please email us if you are interested in helping with Boots & Bling.
We meet once a month until the event.
SPECIAL PROJECTS AROUND THE BARN
Maybe you’d like to help around the barn, but don’t want to work directly with the horses,
or you don’t like to muck?
We could use some daily to weekly to monthly help cleaning and organizing, whether it’s the feed room, the meds room, the office, the tools, groundskeeping, painting shelters, monitoring the fencelines, dump runs, tree trimming, coordinating vehicle maintenance, or a zillion other things.
There’s so much that needs to be done, and we can use extra hands to help keep things looking nice and clean.
Please email us if you are interested/available during regular barn shifts,
Mon-Sat 8a-noon, Sun 9a-1p or afternoons 3p-6p.
Daily Horse Care, especially pm shifts (Daily 8a-12p or 3p-6p)
Used Tack Store Support, all areas (Fri – Mon, 12-4p, possibly T, W, Th 2-6p)
Barn/Facility Maintenance
Foster Homes, Long-Term Foster/Sanctuary Homes
Capital Campaign Support
Board Members
Fundraising/Events
Grants – Writing and Research
Volunteer, Project, and Activity Coordinators
Outreach Activities
Youth Programs
Therapy Programs
Veteran Programs
Special Projects
Admin Support
Marketing
Graphics
Social Media
Bloggers
Photographers
Media and/or Photo Librarian
More, more, more
Interested in volunteering or volunteering in other areas?
THANK YOU for being part of our Chilly Pepper Family and for making it possible to save so many lives.
We have yet another URGENT need. Texas Triumph needs urgent care for his hoof. He has a huge split in his front hoof, and it will be life threatening if not treated asap.
When we were at the vet in Reno getting him tubed, they looked at his hoof and thought it was pretty much healed. (At that point his “choke situation” was the focus). However, once we were able to get the farrier working on him, it is clear that the split goes all the way through. It is really a horrible injury and he has a scar running all the way up into his leg.
We need to get immediate care for him, which will involve special shoeing, sedation and maybe even further treatment. With about 2000 pounds standing on that hoof, if it splits more he will be done.
He has some ongoing issues. We were told he had string halt, and he does have issues with his legs. They are random, but when the Farrier was working on his feet he had a lot of trouble in his hind legs while standing. He still cannot eat regular feed, but is actually thriving in spite of his various issues. He is loving life and we need your help to keep him healthy.
Sadly, we are running on fumes. We are still reeling from the over $10,000 in vet bills the last couple months, and that was before we got the 3 new ones. Even with the wonderful donations directly to the vets, the budget was severely devastated.
As we continue trying to prep for babies, we simply need your help to get this done. Texas Triumph has to get this foot repaired or we will lose him.
Our fancy “Lucy” lol, has arrived and is a happy camper. She is bossy and determined to be the lead mare, but has obviously had a horrible life. Thank you for saving her.
Please help us save Texas Triumph’s hoof. He is a precious part of our Sunshine & Smiles program. He is just a baby and deserves the best life he can have. The Vets all told us we could walk out and he could have aspirated into pneumonia or be choked out. But I want to give him every chance and treasure every day he has.
We also need to take in Big Matt and have his hoofers done under sedation. Due to the issues with his back and hocks, it is extremely painful for him to stand on 3 legs.
Please help if you can. It seems like we get the crazy cases, but that is what rescue is about. Helping the ones who cannot help themselves and the ones that nobody else will take on.
You have saved so many lives. Let’s keep on making a difference and saving lives!
Hugs & Love
Palomino
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
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 move into 2020 there are many more horses in need…
Meet our newest intake, Cody
Cody came to AAE after long-time family health issues with his owner and the passing of his caretaker.
Cody is a 1999 Arabian gelding, about 15.1 hh. We were told he was raced as a youngster, but an injury ended his career. He has been a pasture pet ever since. Cody was much in need of dental care and he was being fed an alfalfa diet. He was started on a pellet diet upon intake. His teeth were floated, and he was vaccinated and dewormed. His hooves were in pretty good shape, and he’s on the farrier schedule in a few days. Cody now has a microchip in place, and he will be ready for adoption soon. Cody is a sweet, youthful ol’ guy with plenty of energy. He enjoys people, loves grooming and attention, and his ground manners are fairly good. So far, he’s shown no signs of lameness, but we’ll wait for his weight improve before asking much of him.
Cody needs a sponsor until a permanent home can be found!
If you want to support AAE, our Sponsor program is one of our favorite ways to involve our community. By sponsoring a horse, you are supporting our operations by the average monthly cost of care for a specific horse. You can do this by selecting a specific horse and making a monthly donation in his or her name. The monthly cost of care is estimated considering the costs for the horses diet, basic care needs (e.g. hoof care, dental care, vaccines, deworming, etc.), medical needs (e.g. supplements, daily medications, daily/monthly treatments, special care, etc.). These needs can change over the course of a horse’s stay at AAE (from intake to adoption).
A full sponsor covers it all. Likewise, more than one partial sponsor can cover it all.
You can sponsor any horse for any amount you choose, from $1 to a million dollars ;)
Our GOAL is to have full sponsors for every horse. This will assure we have ample funding for the proper care of all of our horses, and your help makes it possible to help more horses.
Lots of littles make one big, so please don’t feel your amount is too small!
The best way to sponsor is to avoid processing fees by setting up an automatic payment via your bank’s bill pay system. You can also set up a monthly payment on our website via PayPal.
As many of you know, we have a continuing need to expand store hours.
PILOT HILL – OLD FENCE CLEANUP
Fence cleanup day. Help us remove old fencing and get us closer to moving some horses!
Perimeter fencing should be done in a couple days, with only tying up the loose ends.
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Work 9a to 1p
We will be pulling out old t-post fencing with a t-post puller tools (we have four), wood posts with the help of a tractor, and winding up all the old wire and stacking it where others can get to it later. The material will either go to recycle or may even be re-sold for crafting/rustic art.
Please bring: Heavy work gloves (leather), Water/Drink for yourself, Hat, Boots and long pants
We will provide: T-Post pullers, wire cutters, hammers, screw drivers, and extra gloves.
You are welcome to bring a family member or friend to help as long as they are over 16 yrs of age. Please let Jean know so we can be sure we have enough tools.
We need more help staff the store on Wednesday afternoons, 2p-6p, can you help?
We would also like to expand our daily hours.
Fri to Mon 10-12 and 2-6. With enough help, we can split the shifts, 10a to 2p and 2p to 6p.
Likewise, Tues-Thurs, we’d like to add 10a to 2p.
If you’re interested in helping with tack store activities (e.g. cleaning donated tack, researching/pricing, organizing/merchandising, blanket/tack repairs, picking up tack donations, helping customers, sharing AAE info, admin support, and more), we need you.
Current store hours are Fri-Mon 12-4p, and recently added Tues/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.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:
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.
BOOTS & BLING 2020
We have kicked off our Boots & Bling planning for 2020. The event has included a catered BBQ Dinner, DJ Music and Dancing, Live/Silent/Dessert auctions, a special fundraiser, and line dancing with instruction. We need help in most areas for planning for this event to make sure its a huge success for AAE and our horses.
Please email us if you are interested in helping with Boots & Bling.
We meet once a month until the event.
SPECIAL PROJECTS AROUND THE BARN
Maybe you’d like to help around the barn, but don’t want to work directly with the horses,
or you don’t like to muck?
We could use some daily to weekly to monthly help cleaning and organizing, whether it’s the feed room, the meds room, the office, the tools, groundskeeping, painting shelters, monitoring the fencelines, dump runs, tree trimming, coordinating vehicle maintenance, or a zillion other things.
There’s so much that needs to be done, and we can use extra hands to help keep things looking nice and clean.
Please email us if you are interested/available during regular barn shifts,
Mon-Sat 8a-noon, Sun 9a-1p or afternoons 3p-6p.
Daily Horse Care, especially pm shifts (Daily 8a-12p or 3p-6p)
Used Tack Store Support, all areas (Fri – Mon, 12-4p, possibly T, W, Th 2-6p)
Barn/Facility Maintenance
Foster Homes, Long-Term Foster/Sanctuary Homes
Capital Campaign Support
Board Members
Fundraising/Events
Grants – Writing and Research
Volunteer, Project, and Activity Coordinators
Outreach Activities
Youth Programs
Therapy Programs
Veteran Programs
Special Projects
Admin Support
Marketing
Graphics
Social Media
Bloggers
Photographers
Media and/or Photo Librarian
More, more, more
Interested in volunteering or volunteering in other areas?
In the middle of prepping for Baby Season, we have a DROP EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW!! – EMERGENCY SAVE!!!!
This beautiful, 20 + year old mare had 48 hours to be saved. This was a mare I had to commit to based solely on Faith!! My Faith that y’all would not let this mare down and help us get her home and get her the TLC she deserves.
This poor girl was a PMU mare. For those of you who don’t know what that is, she lived her life in a stall so narrow she could not turn around. For 20 hours a day, five months out of the year. She was bred continuously so her urine could be collected to make the hormone replacement PREMARIN.
We just received word that we CAN SAVE HER & bring her home to Chilly Pepper. We want to thank the rescue Central Oregon Equine for making sure she was safe until someone could be found to take her. We also want to send out a big thank you to WHOA, who will be receiving her tomorrow and getting the vetting done so we can bring her home.
As usual, we need to get her vetted, transported and home. We need to pay for her transport to WHOA tomorrow, and then get her home. She needs some groceries and to spend the rest of her life loved beyond measure.
PLEASE HELP US BRING HER HOME AND SAVE HER LIFE!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
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
Last week, we reached out to you about the alarming Bureau of Land Management (BLM) decision to move forward with a ten-year plan that would dramatically reduce the wild horse population in the Swasey Herd Management Area (HMA) in Utah, down to as few as 60 horses.
As part of our national effort to combat this cruel plan, nearly 10,000 of you have signed onto our petition which will be an incredible show of force on AWHC’s public comments on the Environmental Assessment of the plan.
The deadline to leave a public comment and join our national petition drive is this Thursday, February 20. After that, the public comment period will be closed.
Thank you! And if you happened to miss our previous message we’re attaching it below.
American Wild Horse Campaign
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is preparing to move forward with a ten-year plan to reduce the wild horse population in the Swasey Herd Management Area (HMA) in Utah to just 60 horses.
In order to achieve this, the BLM would authorize mass roundups in the area and greenlight dangerous chemical and surgical sterilization procedures on mares who call these public lands home. One of these methods has been deemed to be dangerous and “inadvisable” for use in wild horses by the National Academy of Sciences, and other methods haven’t even been developed yet…. let alone safety-tested.
The BLM wants to reduce the Swasey mustang population to 60 horses on this 190-square-mile HMA to make room for the more than 7,000 privately-owned, taxpayer-subsidized sheep that annually graze the public lands there.
The truth is: there is more than enough room for wild horses on public lands. But those facts don’t fit the narrative being promoted by the BLM and the livestock industry.
It’s GO TIME AGAIN. 911 for baby supplies. We are already getting calls to be on stand by for the orphaned and new born foals.
As we never had a break all year, our baby supplies have dwindled and these are the lifesaving supplies we need. Thankfully Chilly Pepper has folks stepping up to help with the care of these orphaned babies, as well as pregnant mares, stallions and any other horses we can save from slaughter. CHILLY PEPPER is still incurring all expenses for our babies and horses.
OUR current emergency is being prepared for that phone call. These babies need IMMEDIATE care to have a chance at surviving in this harsh world.Many of these babies will come from Mares that have been shipped to slaughter. Others will be orphaned by deaths caused by vehicles and then there are the ones who are injured or too ill to survive alone.
Thankfully we have 3 other locations where folks will step up and help us do the actual care for these babies. TEAMWORK IS THE REASON FOR THE DREAM WORKING!
(The MOST BABIES we have gotten at once was (70 BABIES IN 2 DAYS). This was from ONE trapper in 2 days.) So we have to be ready at all locations.
These are the absolute basics we use with every neonatal foal. We need more panels, shavings, meds, and the list goes on. The above is the bare minimum to be prepared for the normal neonatal babies we can expect at the beginning of the year.
These are the life saving supplies that we HAVE TO HAVE to provide the best possible chance for these babies to survive.
We also need baby wipes, vaseline, Biosponge, vet wrap, gauze, scalpels, needles, syringes, baby blankets, gloves, and the list goes on. Saving these babies is not cheap, but it is the least we can do for them, especially the ones whose Mom’s have been shipped to slaughter.
PLEASE HELP US TODAY!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
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.
This past December, Congress authorized a 25% budgetary increase for the Bureau of Land Management’s badly broken Wild Horse and Burro program. Now the Administration is asking Congress to approve an additional 15% budget increase for the program two months later, as the BLM prepares to massively accelerate the roundup and removal of tens of thousands of wild horses.
What’s At Stake
As many of you know, the Acting Director of the BLM referred to wild horses and burros as an “existential threat” to public lands and is planning to use the Bureau’s funds to round up wild horses and burros in unprecedented numbers, with as many as 20,000 at risk of being removed this year alone.
We cannot stress this enough: We are talking about the greatest threat to wild horses in decades.
It is critical to remember that the BLM is not considering reducing the number of privately owned livestock in these areas. This despite the fact that these animals vastly outnumber horses and burros on public land and cost taxpayers as much as $500 million in subsidies for the below market grazing fees that public lands ranchers pay.
For reference, there are anywhere from 700,000 to 1,000,000 cow/calf pairs on public lands compared to the 88,000 federally-protected wild horses and burros (who share this land with the livestock).
Make no mistake about it, this isn’t a coincidence either — It’s the result of intense lobbying on behalf of the livestock industry.
Bad Policy And A Broken Program
The BLM continues to impose extreme limits on wild horse population numbers on public lands throughout the West that have no basis in science and their method of calculating these limits is not transparent to the public nor wildlife researchers and experts.
Additionally, the BLM is also championing the use of inhumane and ineffective population growth suppression methods that focus on the castration of wild stallions and the risky, cruel, and invasive surgical practice known as ovariectomy, whereby a mare’s ovaries are manually severed and removed in an invasive and outdated surgical procedure.
The National Academy of Sciences warned against BLM’s use of ovariectomies on wild mares due to risk of hemorrhage and infection. Castrating stallions would cause loss of testosterone which drives the natural behaviors necessary to maintain social organization and survive in the wild.
BLM is not only charging ahead with surgical sterilization, but the budget indicates that the agency intends to use the appropriations process to amend the Wild Horse and Burro Act to explicitly authorize these surgeries.
It’s also critically important to remember that the vast majority of Americans, of all political backgrounds, are opposed to mass roundups and these surgical procedures.
Another Way to Dump Horses?
While the President’s budget does recognize that the slaughter of America’s wild horses and burros is unacceptable to Congress and the public, we have grave concerns about the request for legislative language to expand the transfer authority of wild horses and burros to tribal entities.
AWHC sees this as another way for the agency to take steps to reduce numbers of wild horses through policies that make it easier to move horses out of holding, strip them of their federal-protection and send them to destinations where their welfare will be impossible to ensure.
A Better Way
Here at AWHC, we’re proving that there is a humane and cost-effective way to keep wild horses and burros on public lands and end the roundup and warehousing of these wild animals in holding pens.
On the Virginia Range in Nevada, our team is operating the world’s largest humane management program of wild horses and burros.
By utilizing a very affordable vaccine, known as PZP, our team has treated more mares in 10 months than the BLM did last year. And each vaccine costs as little as $30 per year.
The President’s budget request is just that: a request. This means we have the chance to work with leaders in Congress to oversee the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, demand the BLM abandon the practices that are not supported by science or the American public, as well as promote effective and safe alternatives that our team has demonstrated work.
Over the last three years, working together, we’ve beat back multiple attempts to legalize the slaughter of wild horses and burros by convincing Congress that the American people will not stand for this lethal and brutally inhumane option. Together, we can meet this newest and most serious threat to the future of America’s wild herds.
Quick update and a great big THANK YOU to everyone who helped us with Dandelion and to get this big guy home.
Dandelion is doing very well and already has an amazing couple who will be adopting her.
Meet TEXAS TRIUMPH.This beautiful 4 year old was slated for slaughter. When I got the call I had to step up.
Sadly, (as is pretty much the norm with most of the horses we rescue) he has a life threatening condition, caused most likely by lack of care.
When I went to check on him after he arrived I saw his feed and water pouring back out his nose. Much like the 2 year old TB we rescued, he could not swallow. After nearly $3000 in vet bills for him alone, (much of that cost being for the medicine for his horrific ulcers and the infection he is fighting), we are limping along, hour by hour.
His preliminary diagnosis is Esophageal Stricture, which means his Esophagus is full of scarring which is making it extremely difficult for him to eat or drink. At this point he is on liquid mash, and although he still has food and water coming back out his nose, he has been getting some down. (We had some really great poop, which means food & water are actually getting to his stomach and everything is working well inside.)
He is not in pain as far as the feed and water, but had horrible ulcers. I believe the meds are working as far as the ulcers, but his prognosis is fragile at best. He has had days where he runs and plays, and then yesterday he didn’t eat much. He is thriving as far as getting love and attention, and all he wants to do is “hang out”.
Worse case scenario is he will be loved and cared for properly until he suffers a bad case of “choke” again or gets a deadly case of pneumonia from aspirating. Best case scenario is he will live a long and healthy life, but all the vets warned me the second option is not likely. HE NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS! He is going to be part of our “Sunshine & Smiles Program” for as long as we have him.
However, he is enjoying himself, wants to “cuddle” and is playing with everything he can find, interacting with the other horses and just being a great big, loving clown.
So now we are struggling to catch up with the vet bills, keep feeding all the kids here, and start getting ready for foaling season.
We recently got the 2 remaining stallions gelded and lots of long feet trimmed. All of this costs money and we still have 4 milk babies.
So ALL help is so appreciated. Again, THANK YOU FOR SAVING SO MANY LIVES.
If you want to donate directly to our vet, here is the information.
Zimmerman Veterinary 1 775-623-0981 and let them know it is for “Palomino – Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang”.
PLEASE LET’S “GIT ‘ER DONE” ONCE MORE and save these precious lives!!!
Below, Winter and Dandelion enjoying the day.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
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.
I have never been happier to see a year come to an end. 2019 has been the most difficult year for Save Your Ass Long Ear rescue since our inception as a non-profit in 2007. At this time last year, I was recovering from a broken leg and messed up ankle.
This is when my friend, and most amazing employee Hannah Exel, stepped up to the plate. She has not backed down since. Hannah has been an animal lover since her childhood; nurtured at the knee of her grandfather Elbridge Bellows. His love of his draft horses got and kept Hannah especially interested in equines.
The “manure hit the fan” in April when we took in six sick donkeys which changed our workload dramatically. Hannah went into overdrive. She worked, and continues to work closely with our wonderful veterinarian, Dr. Kristen Clapp and super tech Remington Morancy, in keeping on top of what animals need and setting up appointments to make sure those needs are taken care of. Hannah is no stranger to hard work and totes hay bales and snow plows driveways and paddocks, and feeds the rescues and cares for them 5 days out of the week. She has become a fencing wizard, ensuring all animals are safely confined within beautiful, straight fence lines. It has been an amazing experience for me to see this young woman who came to work at SYA in 2015 blossom and become a real force to be reckoned with. I am proud that Hannah is not only a valued board member, but Shelter Manager, and has gotten the positive reinforcement bug big time and has become a phenomenal trainer. She is taking Ben Hart’s training course and will be starting Dr. Susan Friedman’s LLA class this month. I would not have made it through this last year without the knowledge that she had my back. The trust and friendship that has developed between us really came into the forefront in 2019. We are in this together.
I also want to thank the wonderful volunteers who help us out in so many ways. We would not be where we are today without the help of Joan Gemme, Andria Elliot, Pamela Kissell, Mike Dunham, Pamela Simmons, Logan, Jennifer Molnar, Regina Molnar, Johnny Carroll, and my amazingly supportive, fun loving B.O.D.; Hannah, Elise Paffrath, JoEllen Barton, and Jean Cross. Hannah’s fiance’ Trevor Allen, and my most amazingly supportive husband Jeff who had no idea what he started when he got me a donkey for my birthday close to thirty years ago. Lastly, but certainly in no way least; YOU!! Our SYA “family” who have been over the top with your support; both emotional and financial this year. Asking for help is very hard for me and I have hated to have had to have done it so often. You folks stepped up big time!!
Hannah and I are very grateful to you all. Best wishes to you all for a healthy, happy, peace and loved filled 2020.
Ann
Hi everyone this is Hannah chiming in as a PS!
I am going to share a little bit about Ann now..
Heres a little info on the Founder of Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue; Ann Firestone. Ann has always loved animals ever since she was a very young age, she used to rescue squirrels, chipmunks, and other small injured animals that crossed her path. Being an animal lover one of her favorite books was Brighty of the Grand Canyon. Since that book, she always wanted a donkey of her own. Ann got her first donkey in 1990. Be Bop a Lula was her name. A small brown miniature donkey with tiny little legs and sweet soft eyes. Ann and Jeff, her husband brought her to their home in South Acworth and their long journey of donkey rescue began!
She took in many other animals people couldn’t take care of anymore, mostly donkeys as you could probably guess. Being a Vet tech for many years she knew how to nurture them to health and either re-home them or keep them as part of her family.
The Rescue has been ongoing since 2006 but officially got the 501c3 status in 2007! Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue was born! Ann and the rescue have adopted out on average 30-40 animals per year, that means SYA has adopted out roughly 400 donkeys and mules, (and one miniature horse) in 13 years! She has been many things over the years, a certified dog trainer who is dedicated to positive reinforcement training, a Vet Tech, a licensed wildlife rehabber, and currently the Co-Founder and President of SYALER. This year has honestly has been a crapshoot. If not for our supporters being so generous the rescue would not still be here.
We have been working double time this whole year just to catch up and to keep the rescue going. I am fortunate to be able to go home from all the chaos at the end of the day and on weekends, but Ann is in it 24/7. I have never met some on who gave so much of themselves and their life to saving animals. Often times Ann is up late replying to emails, sending thank you notes, and filling orders, she works very hard to keep this whole thing going! She is an amazing person who deserves to be recognized but would never mention any of this herself, so here I am!
A MIRACLE THAT BABY CHRISTMAS is STILL WITH US AND CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE.
Baby Christmas was apparently attacked by Coyotes on the range. Luckily, his Mama and the band protected him and fought them off. However, he had already received serious, life threatening injuries that may still lead to his death. :(
Sadly, he remained on the range for another 5? or so days after the attack, which allowed the infection to rage through his body. Issues with the quality of the Colostrum he received from his sweet Mama, combined with the lengthy stretch of time before treatment while being so injured, may still cause him to lose his life.
He was unable to stand when he was brought in, and still cannot stand up by himself. He was in extremely poor condition, being close to emaciated under all that hair, extremely dehydrated, and numerous bites and punctures that had sealed over, locking the infection inside him.
We have been at the emergency vet for 4 days, and he has a 50/50 chance of survival. The last blood work showed that his body was going Septic. We have since started him on different antibiotics, and he is now receiving 4 injections a day. He has so much infection draining out of his body, and is also having issues with his umbilical cord. At this point urine is leaking out, but he would not have a chance at surviving surgery. So we have been using alternate methods to try and treat that issue, although it looks like he will need surgery for that if he survives and after he becomes strong enough.
This precious little man is a fighter. He definitely wants to be here, and he is drinking his milk like a champ.He is just learning about munchies, and every indication from him is that he wants to be here and plans on staying. Whether his body can cash the checks his spirit is writing is another story.
We need lots and lots of prayers. The only reason he is still with us today is that so many folks are praying. We and our Docs are doing every thing possible and then some to help him survive, but it is truly in God’s hands.
Our bills are piling up. We want to thank American Wild Horse Campaign for raising funds and paying the $850 for the two bags of life saving Plasma he received.
However, with Skipper”s Vet bill (gelding, x rays and those nasty ski’s – hooves he had removed) combined with the ongoing bills from Baby Christmas, it is really going to drain the coffers. We still have other stallions with horrific feet and starvation cases from the Sad 7 to take care of, so any help with the vet bill, Milk Powder, Farrier expenses etc. etc. etc. is very much appreciated.
I will continue the 24/7 care with Baby Christmas until he no longer chooses to fight. However, I do not see him quitting if he has any choice. Please pray for a successful outcome. (He also cannot use his front leg.) Our beloved Baby Christmas is definitely a hot mess.
If you want to donate directly to our vet, here is the information.
Zimmerman Veterinary 1 775-623-0981 and let them know it is for “Palomino – Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang”.
PLEASE LET’S “GIT ‘ER DONE” ONCE MORE and save these precious lives!!!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
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 the dust settles on the Fiscal Year 2020 spending agreement reached by Congress this week, we wanted you to know that the fight is far from over and that there will be ample opportunities for us to defend wild horses and burros in the New Year.
We also want to highlight two significant positives that were included in the spending bill that are a direct result of your advocacy and leadership from key officials in Congress.
Congress attached strings to the $21 million budget increase for the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program
The spending bill states that the additional funding will not be made available until 60 days after BLM submits a report to Congress detailing its plan for future wild horse management. This is a direct result of alarm bells raised by House Natural Resources Committee Chair Raul Grijalva, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Chair Deb Haaland and ten of their colleagues about increasing the agency’s budget by nearly 30% without following proper oversight channels.
While we remain disappointed that Congress awarded the BLM millions more tax dollars without strict requirements to prevent BLM from using all the funds to round up and sterilize wild horses, this new provision is a significant improvement over previous versions of the spending bill. It gives the House committee with oversight over the BLM — the Natural Resources Committee — a chance to scrutinize the plan and, potentially, take steps to rein in the BLM, before funding is authorized.
Huge thanks for this major development goes to Grijalva, Haaland, Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler, and their colleagues who formed this bipartisan effort to protect our wild horses and burros by signing a letter to request proper oversight.
Forest Service Wild Horse and Burro Slaughter Ban
Another positive development in the FY 2020 spending bill is language that prohibits the U.S. Forest Service from destroying healthy wild horses and burros and selling them for slaughter. Previously, Congress prohibited the BLM from lethal management of wild horses and burros, but the ban did not extend to the Forest Service, which manages a much smaller but still significant number of federally-protected wild horses and burros in the West.
The expanded prohibition is a direct response to the Forest Service’s threat to sell California wild horses for slaughter and a result of the leadership of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein — a long time champion of horse welfare — and U.S. Reps. Ted Lieu, Dina Titus, Grijalva, and California State Assemblymember Todd Gloria who worked with AWHC to pass legislation to improve protections for California’s horses from slaughter.
Everyone who contacted their elected officials over this past year to seek protections for our cherished wild horses and burros should take a moment to appreciate the fact that our grassroots advocacy is working. Although this work is a marathon, not a sprint, and there are disappointments along the way, we are making progress on the road to saving America’s iconic wild herds.
So, as we fire up our legislative and legal teams for the challenges ahead, we want to thank you for staying strong and committed. You are the key ingredient to our successful advocacy for our wild horses and burros, and together, we remain the last line of defense between these beloved animals and their destruction.
We reached out to you about a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in Congress who are taking a stand to champion language during budgetary negotiations that would help protect wild horses and burros next year.
Led by the Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, Raúl Grijalva, these lawmakers are working to prevent federal funds from going toward inhumane sterilization surgeries and accelerated mass roundups (which is being supported in a plan called the ‘Path Forward’).
Thousands of you reached out to your members of Congress (thank you!) and news of this bipartisan mustang protection effort has been carried across the nation, including in The New York Times.
that with lots of TLC we can save her.
In the middle of prepping for Baby Season, we have a DROP EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW!! – EMERGENCY SAVE!!!!
It’s GO TIME AGAIN. 911 for baby supplies. We are already getting calls to be on stand by for the orphaned and new born foals.
Quick update and a great big THANK YOU to everyone who helped us with Dandelion and to get this big guy home.
Baby Christmas was apparently attacked by Coyotes on the range. Luckily, his Mama and the band protected him and fought them off. However, he had already received serious, life threatening injuries that may still lead to his death. :(
