Fall / Winter - Redwings Horse Rescue and Sanctuary

Fall/Winter 2014
Horse Tales from the Heart!
Meet Mack
We first heard about a horse called Mack when
the Horse Emergency Evacuation Team (HEET)
contacted Redwings asking if we were able to
take him in as a rescue. Our equine supervisor
evaluated Mack’s condition and found a severely
malnourished and underweight gelding whose body
score was 2, compared to a score of 5 for a normal
healthy horse. His hooves were overgrown and in
need of farrier care, his teeth badly needed attention, and he needed all his immunizations.
But oh my, it was clear that Mack faced a grim future without our help. So how could we not rescue
this huge, handsome boy?
On the day Mack arrived at Redwings and he
walked down the ramp of the trailer it was evident
his spirit was broken, but there was a sparkle in his
eye. He cautiously greeted the staff but there was a
gentleness to him that won the hearts of everyone. Then, when he gently nuzzled our hands that clinched it! We were head
over heels for Mack!
You may be wondering how such a thing could happen. Well, Mack,
a 22 year old Percheron gelding, served his owners as a carriage horse in
Santa Cruz, California. You can only imagine how impressive this massive, shiny black horse must have looked pulling a carriage full of happy
tourists through town. After years of service Mack was retired from his
duties and he was taken in by a small sanctuary operation to live out his
days in a grassy pasture in San Luis Obispo County. …That was supposed to be the happy ending to Mack’s story.
When the owner of the sanctuary fell on hard times, Mack along with
two companion horses found themselves in a pasture that had dried up
and that had been grazed down to dirt. When the feed ran out, the money
ran out. The owner could no longer afford to feed the horses. Finally, the
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff intervened and when the owner failed to
meet the deadline to comply with their directives Mack was relinquished
by the owner. This cleared a path for Redwings to step in and Mack
was brought to our Lockwood Ranch, in what was a just-in-time miracle
rescue. At last, Mack found a new home at Redwings where he would be given
medical care, human contact, and the proper nourishment to return him
to the horse he once was. It was no easy
task to bring him back to health, but
the entire staff was totally smitten with
this beautiful animal and there was no
question we could do it! It took time,
a good nutritional diet, exercise, farrier
and veterinary care, and today Mack
has regained his strength and 500 lbs! This gentle giant with his sweet disposition now resides in the corral closest
to the ranch office where he can get all
the attention he craves from a growing
numbers of adoring fans. Mack is one of the lucky ones.
There are so many horses that fall into
the same desperate situation as Mack. Some are in dire need of medical treatment from neglect and abuse, and help
comes too late, for others there just isn’t
enough money or resources to save them. There isn’t a week that goes by
that we’re not contacted by agencies or individuals looking for our help to
rescue some forgotten soul. But, we can’t do this without you!
Without the generous support of our donors, volunteers and sponsors,
so many of you
who have helped
in countless ways
throughout the
years, we wouldn’t
be able to rescue
horses like Mack. Help us continue our mission to
educate, to rescue,
to provide sanctuary, and to find the
perfect foster/adoptive homes for our
amazing horses! Redwings Horse Sanctuary, 47240 Lockwood-Jolon Rd, Lockwood, CA 93932, P.O. Box 58 Lockwood, CA 93932 • Phone: 831-386-0135
Email: [email protected] • www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org
Horse Power Sanctuaries, Inc., dba, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization in Lockwood, California, southern Monterey County
Sara’s Journal
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–Sara
Marketing and Social Media
After studying nursing at California State University of San Bernardino, Cara and her family moved to the Lockwood area
in California. When venturing out and exploring the area Cara came upon a sign for Redwings Horse Sanctuary. It immediately caught her interest so she contacted Redwings and asked for a tour of the ranch. Because she always loved horses Cara
enrolled in Redwing’s Level-1 training (a training class that teaches basic horse handling and natural horsemanship skills)
and soon became a weekly volunteer. A year later she was asked to fill a recent vacancy on the Board of Directors from which she later resigned to accept a staff
position with Redwings as Data Controller. Cara developed Redwings’ donor database, oversaw creation of the website and
managed social media. As her job recently expanded to include a marketing focus Cara was promoted to Director of Marketing and Social Media which more accurately reflects the breadth and scope of her responsibilities. Even though the pressures
of her workload can be enormous at times, Cara is still all too happy to help with the herd. She loves to give tours of the
ranch – calling every horse by name– and teasing them with carrots or apples in hand! Cara loves her new position and is
excited about helping Redwings continue on for another 25 years!
Hitching Post
Redwings recently launched an appeal to raise $10,000 to buy a new-to-us
replacement for our hard working but over-the-hill forklift so fittingly named
“Trouble”.
The appeal went out, and one of our loyal donors gave $5,000 as a matching gift. After that, the donations started flying in, and, we met our goal!
So the search began to find the perfect replacement for Trouble. We took it slow,
scouting the area to find a forklift that was newer mechanically and capable of
mucking around in the mud, hauling hay and hundreds of 50# feed bags. The search
2
paid off and we finally found our perfect
forklift lovingly named “Libby”, because
we’re once again liberated to tackle the
tough jobs around the ranch after Trouble’s
demise. To all of our fantastic friends and
donors out there, we can’t thank you enough
for coming to our aid once more and for
your continued support of Redwings! Redwings Horse Sanctuary, 47240 Lockwood-Jolon Rd, Lockwood, CA 93932, P.O. Box 58 Lockwood, CA 93932 • Phone: 831-386-0135
Email: [email protected] • www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org
Horse Power Sanctuaries, Inc., dba, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization in Lockwood, California, southern Monterey County
Horse Power Corner
MEET DR. YVONNE ROBINSON-BUSS AND DON BUSS
We salute a very special couple, Dr. Yvonne Robinson-Buss and her husband Don Buss
who fly to California from Pennsylvania twice a year to visit Takoda, an Appaloosa at
Redwings with whom they’ve formed a strong bond and attachment. When the couple
arrives at Redwings it’s not just to visit Takoda. For a week at time they’re at-the-ready
helping with chores and upkeep at the Lockwood Ranch. We wanted to share this special
story of one couple’s unfailing support of Redwings for the past 12 years. We asked Dr.
Robinson to tell her story in her own words: “Why we love Redwings, and return at least 2 times a year. As a child my extended
family of aunts, uncles, and cousins all had horses. I spent so many hours walking them
and riding whenever possible. However as a small child of 6 years I was already training extensively in piano. My parents knew that I had an advanced talent so being careful
with my hands was paramount in my life. When I repeatedly asked my dad if we could get
our own horse, he said that we could but if we did I’d have to give up my piano work. My
mom asked my piano instructor about the idea. She felt I was going to have a large career
ahead so I gave up the horse idea, but never forgot my love. I did go on to Juilliard where
I eventually received my doctorate, traveled the world in my career and vowed in my heart
to get my own horse someday.
When we found Redwings to support almost 12 years ago, we traveled to California,
met our “special boy” Takoda, and fell in love with Redwings. Sooo, our traveling to the west coast
several times a year allows me to have my horse, as well as sharing time with my husband in volunteering to paint around the ranch. And I still continue my active teaching and concert career with
my hands in tact! My husband Don is a real supporter of me and Redwings, and he is the head of
Redwings east coast painting volunteers!”
Dr. Yvonne Robinson-Buss
A Poem by vounteer Margaret Lawson
Redwings is always grateful to the many amazing volunteers who help us care
for the horses, making it so hard when we have to see them go. One such person
who will be greatly missed is 17-year old Maggie Lawson, who has been a volunteer at Redwings for the past two years. Thank you Maggie for your commitment
to Redwings, and we wish you and your family all the best.
As a farewell gift to Redwings Maggie wrote a poem about our big, loveable
Mack, whose story is featured in this issue. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Welcome to the Herd
Hank
Mack
A beastly truck was he,
With painted coat of black and white.
A dubious crowd were we,
For the steed was quite a sight.
As we cautiously drew near
He rose above us like a tower.
To us his strength was clear,
For the creature’s chest was great with power.
But the strangest part for us to hear,
Was that he was really quite a dear.
Maggie, practicing massage techniques on Champ.
Ozzie
-- Margaret Lawson
Angel
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, 47240 Lockwood-Jolon Rd, Lockwood, CA 93932, P.O. Box 58 Lockwood, CA 93932 • Phone: 831-386-0135
3
Email: [email protected] • www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org
Horse Power Sanctuaries, Inc., dba, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization in Lockwood, California, southern Monterey County
Is There Anything Cuter than A Burro?
Redwings is home to many beautiful horses and they often
steal the spotlight in our newsletters and events. We are home
to ten adorable, smile-inducing burros in all. Recently, Hope
and Olive found homes with loving foster families in Monterey County. Some people aren’t even aware of our burro
herd until they visit our Lockwood ranch - and when they lay
eyes on them you can watch the smiles all around!
Legend has it that Burros can be stubborn at times. Oh,
they can, but they are also some of the most loving and
friendly residents at Redwings. No matter how bad your day
or how bad your mood, spend 5 minutes with the burro herd
and everything changes! These are the sweetest most engaging animals on the planet. Volunteers and visitors alike can’t
help themselves from falling in love with our burros. Burros make wonderful pets and companion animals, and
they make great guardians for sheep and goat herds. They’re
very hardy and they’re very easy to keep and maintain. If
you’re interested in meeting our burros or in having a burro,
please call or email our office. We’ll be happy to introduce you to our herd, discuss our
foster-to-adoption program through Redwings, and provide you with information on BLM
adoption centers in California and Nevada.
For those of you who are unable to stop in for a visit with our burro herd, all of us at Redwings wish you a Merry Christmas and a smile boost from the cutest burros in the world! Sage
Jojo
Brownie
Coyote
Mystic
4
Jenny
Annabelle
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, 47240 Lockwood-Jolon Rd, Lockwood, CA 93932, P.O. Box 58 Lockwood, CA 93932 • Phone: 831-386-0135
Email: [email protected] • www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org
Horse Power Sanctuaries, Inc., dba, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization in Lockwood, California, southern Monterey County
Here’s Jenny, Coyote, Jojo, Mystic & Magic
Lucy, Brownie, Anabelle, Lucky and Sage,
But, now to broaden that smile
Meet our most famous Burro of all!
GRACIE,
at 38 years and still standing tall
The oldest Burro on the ranch
Wishing Happy Holidays to one and all!
Lucky
Magic
Gracie
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, 47240 Lockwood-Jolon Rd, Lockwood, CA 93932, P.O. Box 58 Lockwood, CA 93932 • Phone: 831-386-0135
5
Email: [email protected] • www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org
Horse Power Sanctuaries, Inc., dba, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization in Lockwood, California, southern Monterey County
A Track Injury Brings a New Lease on Life for “Handsome Hank”
In early August Redwings
rescued a 6-year old Thoroughbred
who suffered a severe bowed tendon
racing on the Santa Rosa Fair track. We received a call from Lost Hearts
and Souls Rescue in Santa Rosa telling
us about Hank (formerly known as
Mountain Yodeler) who was just hours
away from being put down the following morning. His owner scheduled
him to be euthanized after the injury
because he had no interest in trying to
rehabilitate this otherwise healthy horse,
knowing he’d most likely never race him again. Working with Lost
Hearts and Souls we were able to intervene and convince the horse’s
owner to pay to transport him to Redwings which cost no more than
paying to euthanize him. When he finally agreed, our boy was on
his way to Redwings the next morning!
While negotiations were going on to save the horse, we received
a photo of Mountain Yodeler, but that never prepared us for what we
saw when he backed out of the trailer at the end of his long 5-hour
trip from Santa Rosa. A powerful, stunningly beautiful bay gelding stepped off the trailer ramp! We were completely overwhelmed
with his amazing presence as he stood there and slowly took in his
new surroundings. In no time at all the entire staff fell head over
heels in love, and all of us started calling him “Handsome Hank”
almost reflexively, and when he responded…, the name stuck! Redwings is a new beginning for Hank, and we got to him in the very
nick of time! Hank’s rehabilitation for the bowed tendon will require a long,
slow convalescence. A bowed tendon happens when a horse
sustains a tear in the fibers of a lower leg tendon, and when the tear
hemorrhages and becomes swollen it makes the leg look “bowed”. Most frequently this kind of injury occurs in performance horses
like Hank who hyperextend their fetlock joint causing the tendon
fibers to rupture. Tendon injuries can also be caused by poor conformation, poor shoeing or trauma to the leg. These injuries require supportive bandages called standing
wraps, ice or cold water therapy, and topical
anti-inflammatory
products and confinement to a small area to
restrict activity during
recovery. In Hank’s
case, he’s currently
living in a 12x36 paddock and he’s given
two daily hand-walks
for 20 minutes each. Every day his standing wraps are changed
and he gets 15 minutes
of ice therapy. Hand
walking is the best
exercise to promote
proper healing, and as
the tendon strengthens the duration and
frequency of the
walks can increase,
with controlled light riding the next step. The time it takes for full
rehabilitation is dependent on the severity of the injury as well as
the rate of healing. Even so, every one of us at Redwings is fully
committed to Hank and to making sure he makes a full and complete recovery. Hank will soon be ready for an increase in his exercise regimen,
and he’ll also be moved to a bigger, less restrictive paddock. So far
his healing is on track and he’s making fine progress. He’ll soon
have the companionship he yearns for when he joins one of the
herds in a large pasture here at the sanctuary. We’re expecting the
move to happen just in time for the Holidays - our gift of life and
healing for our Handsome Hank. Recently Fostered And On The Path to Adoption!
Check out the lucky folks below who’ve successfully participated in our fostering program! After selecting one of our beautiful foster animals and meeting
select requirements to ensure the horse will be adequately cared for and given a safe and secure environment, these individuals and families can look forward to
making the horse one of their very own through adoption.
Rebel-fostered to Sheila and Dave
Beauty-fostered to Shannon
6
Player- fostered to Victoria
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, 47240 Lockwood-Jolon Rd, Lockwood, CA 93932, P.O. Box 58 Lockwood, CA 93932 • Phone: 831-386-0135
Email: [email protected] • www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org
Horse Power Sanctuaries, Inc., dba, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization in Lockwood, California, southern Monterey County
Round Out Your Holiday Gift
List And Sponsor One of
These Beautiful Horses!
Back by popular demand! This holiday season; give the gift of
sponsorship to someone special! Your gift of $50, $75 or $100 sponsors one of the horses pictured here. And, for an additional $5.00
your gift, along with other sponsor benefits sent to the gift recipient,
will include an ornament with a photo of your sponsored horse.
Be sure to indicate the horse you wish to sponsor on the remit
envelope, or call Redwings at 1-831-386-0135!
Have a safe and Happy Holiday from all of us at Redwings
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, 47240 Lockwood-Jolon Rd, Lockwood, CA 93932, P.O. Box 58 Lockwood, CA 93932 • Phone: 831-386-0135
7
Email: [email protected] • www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org
Horse Power Sanctuaries, Inc., dba, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization in Lockwood, California, southern Monterey County
Board of Directors
Mark Sindel, President
Linda Baisley Amato, Vice President
Janet Burton, Treasurer
Paula Germain, Secretary
Carolyn Ezell
Chris Mole
Eileen Beattie
E v e ry H o r s e D e s e rv e s H u m a n e C a r e
DONATE TO REDWINGS
Our work at Redwings Horse Sanctuary is funded 100-percent by the
generous donations of our friends and supporters. There are so many ways you
can help, and every penny counts! Your donations help us provide daily care for our herd of 87 horses,
ponies, and burros that live at Redwings. From the smallest Shetland pony to
the largest Percheron Gelding, every one of our residents has different needs
stemming from past abuse or neglect. Some need daily medication, some have
special diets, and others require special handling. We have a lot of mouths to
feed―and every last one of these handsome animals need food, water, shelter
and care …every day. We need your help to continue our work. If you can DONATE $20,
$50, $100 or more, please mail your donation to Redwings Horse Sanctuary at
the address below or visit our secure website and click the “donate” button. You can also become a SUSTAINING SPONSOR by making an ongoing monthly donation to help us plan for the future by ensuring the resources
needed to care for our herd and continue our work helping horses in need.
Maybe you’d like to select your favorite horse from our herd to SPONSOR by making a monthly donation that will go toward its care. Or, if you’re
interested in our FOSTERING with a planned path to ADOPTION, contact
Redwings to find out about the sponsorship levels available or for information
about our fostering program.
Web: www.Redwingshorsesanctuary.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 831-386-0135.
8
roup
Bring Your School G
wings!
or Scout Troop to Red
ys that teach
We host educational da
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are always
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class or
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short educagroup. We can give a
group more
tional talk and tell the
dwings! about what we do at Re
35 or email
Call us at 831-386-01
rses.org to
us at info@redwingsho
find out more!”
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, 47240 Lockwood-Jolon Rd, Lockwood, CA 93932, P.O. Box 58 Lockwood, CA 93932 • Phone: 831-386-0135
Email: [email protected] • www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org
Horse Power Sanctuaries, Inc., dba, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization in Lockwood, California, southern Monterey County