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.”