Colby: 6yo Thoroughbred available for adoption in NJ

Colby, Thoroughbred gelding (Jockey Club name: Tea Party Boy – click for pedigree)
Foaled June 14, 2009
16.1 hh
Please contact Helping Hearts Equine Rescue for more details.

Colby is a nice hunter, eventing, or dressage prospect. He’s walk, trot, canter under saddle and has been introduced to trotting small poles and cross-rails. He shows outstanding sport potential for an advanced rider with the experience to bring a young horse along (or someone who can work with a good trainer). Adoption Fee: $750

Current video under saddle (12/4/15)
Video of Colby Longeing

Colby originally arrived at Helping Hearts Equine Rescue in emaciated condition on May 25, 2013.

He was adopted out to a wonderful woman in Sept., 2013. He came back to the rescue (Nov, 2015) due to time and resource constraints. Reason for Return: “After much deliberation on my part as well as my trainers we have decided that Colby and I just aren’t a great match for each other. While I love him to pieces and we’ve come along way it’s just we butt heads too much. He needs a more quiet and more consistent ride than I can give him right now. With the demands of work being so great right now. He is going great under saddle and even trotting small fences I just can’t give him the constant riding he needs.”

Please contact Helping Hearts Equine Rescue for more details:

Email: hheartsequine@optonline.net

Phone: 732-786-9015

A Summer of Thoroughbreds. Colby: One Month Later

 

Colby: July 6, 2013

In June, I shared the story of Colby, a 4-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (click here to see intake photos and read about him) in the care of Helping Hearts Equine Rescue. My “summer of Thoroughbreds” has been so busy that I am just now finding time to share updated photos of Colby, taken on July 6.

Colby: May 25, 2013

What a difference a month makes!

Colby: July 6, 2013

Colby: May 25, 2013

Colby: July 6, 2013

As Colby get the nutrition he needs, he gains weight and muscle and his coat blooms. Gone are the long winter guard hairs, abscessed feet, and patchy coat. His rainrot and skin issues are under control with the help of medicated baths and daily grooming. He is fed supplements to help him maintain a healthy coat and hooves and support his young joints during his rehabilitation.

Colby: July 6, 2013

After Colby completed his quarantine, he was turned out with some equine friends. He is handled daily and receives training in hand, but his training under saddle will not begin until he is fully rehabilitated. In the meantime, he was quite happy to show off for me during a quick photo session.

Colby: July 6, 2013

Colby: July 6, 2013

He even showed off his potential when he cut across the arena and did an impromptu jump over the arena gate.

Colby: July 6, 2013

Colby looks great in July, but just wait until you see how he looks now. Stay tuned for more updates on this spirited youngster.

If you’re interested in donating to the rescue for Colby’s care, you can send a Paypal donation to hheartsequine@optonline.net, or visit the HHER website for other donation options. HHER is a 501(c)(3) charity, and horses like Colby are nursed back to health through the generosity of donations and the commitment of dedicated volunteers.

Please check back for new photos and updates about Colby, as well as other Thoroughbreds I meet this summer.
 

 

 

 

 

Horses and Hope: Georgia’s Story

Since January 2010, I’ve photographed well over 3,000 horses in need at rescues, private farms, and the auction. All the horses, donkeys, and mules are special, but some of them have that extra-special “something”. Georgia is one of those extra-special horses.

In February of 2012, I took a ride to a farm with Lisa Post, Co-Founder and President of Helping Hearts Equine Rescue. Lisa remembers the day and our trailer ride home very well:

“Sarah and I picked up Georgia on Feb 2, 2012. She was an NJ SPCA neglect case that needed direct intake. The lack of sufficient feed and hay at the premises was quite evident and I was happy that we could help this girl.

The defining moment of the situation was watching Georgia’s eyes light up when she saw my straw-bedded trailer. I quietly told her that there was better than that in the hay net inside. I doubt my words meant anything to her, but she loaded right up and dove into the net.

We didn’t hear a peep during the hour-plus ride until we were almost home, when she started pawing. Upon arrival, we noted that the net was nearly empty, except for the last bit that she couldn’t reach. The pawing was explained.

All Georgia needed for the next several weeks was frequent feedings and affection. She received both from all who met her. Georgia, even severely emaciated, had a “shine” to her- a glimmer of what she was and would be again, and despite the neglect she had endured, she was a happy and personable mare.

Kathy, who had previously adopted another mare, Sweetie, from Helping Hearts, saw that shine as well. She came and spent time and groomed her and soon offered to foster Georgia, subsequently adopting her. Under Kathy’s fantastic care, Georgia has come into her full glory and I wish these two ladies a long and pleasurable partnership.

Georgia is just one example of what rescue can accomplish. But rescue can’t happen in a vacuum. It really does take a village. Working together, we can accomplish a lot for horses in need.”

Over the next few weeks, I took a series of photos of Georgia’s progress. The dates are on the photos so you can follow the time lapse.

This August, I visited Georgia in her new home. The horse who stood before me was a gorgeous, glorious, picture-perfect Quarter Horse. She was her same friendly self that she was the day I met her, but her body finally matched her bright expression.

These photos tell the story better than I can…

Horses and Hope 2013 Calendar

Georgia is one of the many horses featured in my 2013 Horses and Hope calendar. With the help of Gina Keesling of HoofPrints, my 2012 debut calendar contained over 100 photos of auction horses. Thanks to the support of horse lovers all over, it raised nearly $40,000 for One Horse At A Time, helping hundreds of horses in need directly, and untold others indirectly through increased public awareness. Now that we have one calendar’s worth of experience to draw upon, the 2013 version promises to be even more exciting, even more creative, and as always, inspirational and positive.

Please click here to reserve your copy now for mid-October delivery

Walter’s World: the Story of a Homeless Horse

A horse was found wandering by the road in New Jersey in autumn 2011. Animal Control picked him up and held him for a few days. Nobody claimed him, so he took residence at Helping Hearts Equine Rescue in Perrineville, NJ, and was named Walter.

After getting three months of regular meals, Walter went from this…

To this…

Recently, Walter was evaluated under saddle, and he’s gaited! His stocky build makes him look like a Quarter Horse, but there’s no mistaking the way he moves…

Here’s more information from Helping Hearts- please contact HHER if you’re interested in adopting Walter:

“Walter is approx 18 yrs, 14.3 hh. And will be suitable for an advanced beginner on up. I plan to start putting my lesson kids in him this weekend to hack him out and start toning him up.

He’s got wonderful ground manners though he does start getting wiggly and anxious at meal-time. That is something I see with virtually every starvation case. That behavior subsides after a while when they finally realize they won’t miss a meal.

He was under saddle once do far. He was initially wiggly to mount but after 10 minutes of insisting that he stand, he did. He initially aimed for the door, and the other horses – typical school horse type study –nothing horrible or unsafe. Just needs to be pushed thru it. Some basic schooling sessions will take care of that.

He can be a bit dominant in the field, works it out in a general population but should not be paired with an overly submissive horse because he’ll bully her.

He is a nice, personable, sweet horse. His adoption fee will be $300.”

Camelot Auction Graduates- Before/After Photos

One of my favorite things about working with equine rescues and auction horses is seeing the transformation that takes place once the horses are in their new homes and are blossoming with good care. It takes a little imagination for your mind’s eye to envision a slick summer coat under a fuzzy winter coat, and to add 100 pounds to an underweight horse, but these photos can help to crystalize the potential that these horses have:

Gatsby was already sold by the time I arrived at Camelot Auction on a Thursday afternoon in October 2010, but he was so handsome and proud that I photographed him anyway.

“#111 aprx 16 hds Gray Gelding rode thru calm very thin $325.00”

Gatsby at auction ©Ida Howell/Helping Hearts Equine Rescue

Little did I know that he was sold to someone who was going to keep him at the same barn where Wizard lives! I’ve had the pleasure of watching Gatsby turn into a well-loved jumper. He still has that same noble appearance, but now his coat gleams with good care and he is being prepared for the 2011 show season.

Gatsby in March 2011:

Gatsby at a schooling show in November 2010:

Gatsby at Christmastime…

Mimi is another stablemate of Wizard, and she has also become a barn favorite and a lovely riding horse. Here she is at Camelot…

“#66 Sorrel Mare 14.3 4 yrs rode thru calm- one blue eye the one she kept closing- when I blocked the light she opened it, she is very sweet and thin. $260.00”

Mimi at auction ©Ida Howell/Helping Hearts Equine Rescue

Her runny and sensitive eye cleared up in a matter of days and now her vision is perfect. Mimi in March 2011:

Mimi and her Santa outfit:

I met Ursula at Camelot in December. She was probably my favorite horse of the day; while all the other horses munched on hay and rested, she romped around her pen, leaping and playing. She has a sparkle that immediately caught my eye.

Ursula at auction.

“#746 Bay filly. 12H and yearling. Standardbred. Scared and very thin. Needs tlc big time. Led through quiet. $50”

(middle)

And here she is in March at a local barn in New Jersey:

With horse show season just around the corner, please contact me if you know of any Camelot Auction graduates who are competing. I would love to cheer them on and take some pictures.

Camelot Auction- Available Horses Week of April 7, 2010

The following is a list of horses available for purchase at Camelot Auction in Cranbury, New Jersey. You can purchase these horses until noon on Saturday (April 10, 2010). The descriptions are © Helping Hearts Equine Rescue and the photos are © Sarah Andrew. You may forward and cross-post this information to any websites that may benefit these horses. For a current list of available horses (this list is as of Thursday night) and to learn more about the auction process and how to purchase a horse, please visit this site.

#501 – Registered QH Gelding, 2005, 16.1 hh, Selling sound. A nice trying-hard horse. Quiet under saddle, advanced beginner-intermed. type . . $475.00

#502 – Belgian Geld – 16.2 hh, smoothmouthed. Again, roached mane and forelock but long tail. Ridden thru, would be a hubby horse extraordinaire. . . $325.00

#503 – Belgian Geld., 17.1 hh, 15 yrs., Dark Sorrel, roached mane, but long tail Said to ride and drive – -ridden thru, very nice. I LIKED this guy. Went W-T-backs. With a long tail, has probably done more riding than driving of late. . . $525.00

(Sorry, no better photos of him. He was busy eating)

#’s 504 & 505 – I THINK these were the ones that were supposed to be Shire-X’s. Didn’t see it–Looked like big, roman-nosed Belgians. This TEAM was led thru together. Both were ‘funny’ behind. Meaning conformationally both were light in the hindquarters in comparison to the rest of their bodies, and they seemed to move and stand with a ‘crouch’ behind. Would be a shame to split them up.

#504 – 18 hh mare, 15 yrs., HUGE. Heavy bodied, possibly “heavey”. . . $600.00

#505. Red/Dk Chestnut Gelding. 17+ hh,, 15 yrs IN the pen, tied to the manger, he stood camped out behind and rocked from side to side. . . $525.00

#516 – Registered QH geld. foaled 2000, 16 hh. “H” branded on left stifle. Neck reins, well bred, “Spanish Array” at bottom of pedigree. Well broke, nice w-t-lope. . . $750.00

#517 – Registered QH, 2000, 14.2 hh Bay Gelding with Snip/blaze. Ridden thru was being sold 100% sound, Nice little guy, w-t-c-, intermediate type . . . $600.00

#526 – Age only announced as “baby” — Dark Bay w/star & snip. gelding, pretty face. 15.3, very tucked up, needs of bit of weight, led thru. . . $125.00

#527 – Chestnut yearling QH colt — STUD — led thru. .. $100.00

#529 – Registered QH mare, red roan, 14.3 hh, foaled 1995. White face, Left legs white. Led thru, needs weight, didn’t look sound behind. $175.00

#534 – GAITED Bay gelding, hind legs white, white face. Pretty, 15.3 hh, smoothmouth. Needs weight! Initially led in, then kid jumped up on her and rode her thru bareback with halter/lead. Sweet, but nervous, nice, sweet horse . . only went for $150.00

#536 – Registered Bay /white Paint, Gelding, 15.3 hh, foaled 2002. Led thru, a note with papers saying that his name is “Chief” Sound, but not ridden since November. . . $475.00

#537 – Very pale Palomino QH Gelding. Very, very sweet, needs weight, bombproof type, aged/smoothmouth. Was a trade-in to Strain Family Farm. . . . $235.00

#538 – fine-bodied Bay Pony Gelding, with blaze, the last one led thru, no-one left. supposed to be 8 yrs., 12.2 – 13 hh. Sweet and Scared. Rider led him thru, said he was “green to ride” . . $100.00

#557 – Bay Standardbred mare, Freeze Brand 7BR14 – Enhance the Beauty”, foaled 2004, 15.2 hh. Looked colicky in the pen (looked OK Thursday afternoon). Led thru, quiet, trots, no pace. well bred. . . . $335.00

#998 – Chestnut QH Geld., 16.2 hh, 9 yrs old. scared w/a rough rider Nice mover, handy, best for an intermediate level rider. . . .$500.00

#1000 — This guy deserves some TLC. SKINNY Fleabitten grey gelding w/lip tatoo, we think he may be a Standardbred. Needs a lot of weight, SWEET. Ridden thru walk-trot, displayed a pace rather than a trot. A NICE pace. . $200.00

This Week’s Available Horses (March 3, 2010 Camelot Auction)

As of Thursday night, there are 27 horses at Camelot Auction who are available for purchase until noon on Saturday. Please visit the Helping Hearts Equine Rescue website for more information about how to purchase a horse directly from Camelot, help somebody transport/quarantine a horse, or donate to equine rescue groups who take auction horses.