Helping Hearts Equine Rescue

~ Our Rescues ~

Please note that many of the horses listed have "(Pull Fee:$ )" in their description. This is the amount we've paid to keep the horse from going to slaughter. It is the amount the dealer would have expected to get from the meat-man. Keep in mind when considering to adopt, rescue horses aren't "Free". Funds are expended to save them and then to heal them. Adoption fees rarely cover the cost of rescuing a horse. We survive on donations, and it is the donations that allow us to go out there and save more horses. Additionally, it's easy to vilify the horse dealer, BUT, he wouldn't be buying them if owners acted responsibly and did what was right by their horses in stead of dumping them to the nearest, readiest buyer. Keep that in mind.

Be a Helping Heart. Make a donation or sponsor one of our rescues - see 'How you Can Help' for full info. All funds go directly to help horses in need. We accept Paypal.

Lusy - - 11 yr old Registered Haflinger Mare -- pulled from Camelot Feed Lot on Dec. 3. Lusy is currently in quarantine. Very, Very Sweet and a real looker, can't see in this photo, but BUILT like a linebacker!.

Keller, a/k/a Buddy - - Our newest "permanent resident"

Dec. 14, '09: 'Buddy', the 35+ year old pony--he's quite adorable--actually in great shape, about 13.1 hh, real chubby. I'm told that he has 5 or 6 brands over his shoulders & hips, just can't seem them now thru the winter coat --so he must have originated from out west.

Buddy's caretaker contacted us in early Oct. He had been abandoned a year ago at her farm by his owner. "M" has taken wonderful care of this little gentleman, but when she knew tht she could no longer afford to care for him, she contacted HHER. We made several inquiries for a private home or foster situation, but when none were forthcoming, we promised that once we had some space we would bring him home to HHER. The biggest obstacles to placing Buddy were his 'special needs': (#1) He's 35+ yrs old, (2)he's blind in his right eye from uveitis, (3) Has no teeth left to chew hay with and (4) he's Cushingoid. Buuut, once he was loaded up this afternoon, his caretaker said: "Oh, did I tell you he's mostly deaf?" LOL. Once back in the truck, Mary and I giggled over it, and promptly re-named him "Keller". . .

Keller Has a Helping Heart:

~Carry Lambert

In addition, thank you to everyone who has donated toward "Keller's" intake & care: Debbie Pfau, Vikki Campo, Jackie Chaplinski, Michael J. Stasak, Jr. Antiques, John & Regina Schneller

#275 –Candy - Ran thru the Camelot Sale on Nov. 18, purchased for slaughter. Her pull fee was paid by Val Stanley, MD. When this aged, cute, mare had no-place to go, the last horse left, we went and picked her up. Candy has been evaluated for riding, and due to extreme discomfort in her hips and lower back, she will be adopted out as a companion/pet only.

Nov. 21: Picked this lovely lady up for Val this a.m. As I expected, she's very sweet, though confused and stressed. I feel that this mare was someone's "pet" til times got tough and the trials and tribulations of the auction experience have been a bit much on her.

She's totally exhausted both physically and mentally. I was worried about her all day, being a little too quiet, etc. - -and not unexpectedly, when checking her at 1 p.m. tonite/this a.m., she is a little uncomfortable, gassy. I've given her a dose of Banamine and am updating while waiting to see how it kicks in. I've seen this before, and we're taking no chances, I will have the vet come out tomorrow (Sunday of course) to oil her to be on the safe side, would hate to lose her to a colic now. Once she's recovered and settled, we'll also have her teeth done, she seems to be wadding her hay. If anyone wishes to contribute to her 'vet fund' that would be greatly appreciated -- funds can be paypal'd to us.

Now, you will see in the 3rd photo that she does have a 'big knee', but it's an old calcification, not a new injury . . this is probably her 'arthritis' that we saw on Weds. She has been aged at 15/16 yrs.

Candy has a Helping Heart:

~Debbie Cowperthwait (sponsored in Debbie's honor by Sharon Doele)

ADOPTION PENDING . . . .

Meet "Maggie" - Maggie is a 15/16 yr old, 14.3 hh grey mare - - she was pulled from Camelot on Oct 6 - - she is a wonderful 'backyard kid's horse' type - - extremely easy to handle, patient and kind, she was super on her riding evaluation yesterday -- nothing fancy, but safe. Stops easily from the rein. Needs some 'push' to go - - despite having a melanoma on the right corner of her mouth, she goes just as well in a loose ring snaffle as she does in a 'bitless bridle. The vet confirmed that the melanoma would not impact Maggie's ability to carry or respond to a bit.

She's up to date on vaccines, Coggins, Etc. She will be a great 'first horse' for some lucky junior!

Dec 7 - Maggie was out on trial for a handicapped riding program, but did not acclimate to the sidewalkers 'trotting' beside her at the trot - - she would trot faster, other than that, she was quite nice and passed all of their other evaluations. So, she is still looking for her forever home. She worked exclusively in a snaffle while at the program and did fine.

~Maggie's adoption fee is $500 - -

BENJI: Adoption Fee $1000 - ADOPTION PENDING

Benji - 7 yr old. QH/TWH-X - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmhDkn8wF10

Benji is under saddle for less than a month in this video!

New Benji Photos fr. Nov. 2--took a stroll out into th woods today, Nov. 5.:

Oct. 30 - Benji is gaited!!!! Still has a wonderful, long, floaty trot, but also has a 'gait' to him under saddle. He is definitely 1/2 QH, but now wondering if that aquiline nose is from Tenn. Walker ancestry and NOT TB. Anyone interested in a 7 yr old, smart, sweet, smooth, gaited QH-TWH cross? Anyone know gaited horses? Could he be all TWH, or one of the other gaited breeds?

Oct. 29 - Benji had a rider today, didn't have the semblance of mind to have a camera w/me. I have a local freelance trainer working w/ him. Ron spent 2 days ground-driving him to get to know him and got up on him today. He initally was unsure, a little 'humpy', but quickly settled down and did wonderfully. Ron will be back tomorrow to do it again! Benji is a lovely prospect for an intermediate rider. Soo, based on what we've seen, he's been started, and then sat for a while . . . so we're considering him green broke, would make a nice dressage prospect . . . . . . .what a floaty trot, an elegant looking guy. Come On Ladies, we got us a nice dressage prospect here!! Work & train him over the winter, start showing him next spring.

10/17: WHOOO-HOOOO - - Franklyn, Benji's 4 yr old "twin", has a new "Mom"! Loril H, a volunteer, has fallen for Franklyn. He's been renamed Griffin and receiving the handling/groundwork he needs to train as a riding horse soon!

Franklyn on the Left, Benji on the Right

Benji ~

Chestnut QH Gelding - - Pull Fee was $450 - -when we arrived at the pen on Sept 19, he walked over and basically, leaned his head on us, just can't leave him there. No info on training, etc., is wearing one shoe. Dental exam shows him to be around 7 yrs old

Benji has a Helping Heart!!

~Cameron Himes

(Happy Birthday Cameron!)

Remember, rescue only begins with pulling them to safety. Then there are the costs of their needs & veterinary and rehabiliation. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 342, Perrineville, NJ 08535 or use our Paypal button at the top of this page.

Sept. 21 -- "Benji" is home at Helping Hearts. Loaded like a champ, though became a bit aggitated once on the trailer -- think he realized he was leaving his 'friend' behind.

Once I pointed out exactly which "red QH" I wanted, Frank remembered him being ridden thru a couple weeks ago. Said he rode thru nice, but had a swollen, bloody fetlock from being kicked/stepped on in the trailer, so not being sold 'sound'. I could see the scar/scab on the leg - -healed nicely. He's 7 yrs old, a real sweetheart, and just floats when he trots around his field - - beautiful.

Oct. 23, Benji had his teeth done, has a 'good mouth', per Butch Dase, but had A LOT of sharp edges. . . .

Dante - Adoption fee currently $2,500.00.

Video: http://www.youtube.comwatch?v=PPbCYBbMQ8I

Yearling Hannoverian. Dark Bay, white Star -- He's going to be stunning when he matures. He was gelded Oct 1. Wolf teeth pulled and micro-chipped. Is up to date on all vaccines and Coggins.

We expect him to easily mature to 17 hh, if not a bit more. He's sprouted at least 5 inches in the two months he's been with us -- it's amazing what a few groceries can accomplish! He's a very laid-back individual, I believe that in a group herd situation, he probably was just not getting his fare share of the feed and shelter, was probably at the bottom of the social hierarchy. He is now absolutely gorgeous, definitely a high quality horse in a bad situation. He's a nice, flowing mover, will do well either as a hunter or lower level dressage --I'm guessing he's a dressage prospect that will be proficient thru 2nd Level, schooling 3rd -- though he could fool us and go higher!!

Sept. 2 - Pulled from Camelot Feed Lot with Finster, aged chest/white pony geld -- already placed.

Gorgeous animal, very sweet and laid back, will be a super amatuer-owner horse for hunters or dressage.

Look at the difference 8 weeks makes:

Sept. 2

GULLIVER --

This is Gulliver on Oct. 2 - - big difference, eh?

He's adapted to the loss of Finnigan. We've still not integrated him into a field - - but he's going out in an alley next to a group -- he's actually now cantering up and down the fenceline playing with my 3 year old on the other side!

Gulliver is on the right in this photo with Finnigan.

Gulliver - July 26: Gulliver is approx. 18 years old, probably a QH. His owner rescued this starved horse from the kill pen about a year ago and despite her best efforts, the horse remained extremely thin. A decision was made to turn Gulliver over to us, and her barn-mates delivered him.

I was told he had a broken jaw making it difficult for him to eat effectively, and an indentation below his cheek bone seemed to prove this true. He arrived extremely dehydrated and he definitely has an eating/chewing issue. Our vet, Dr. Perris, examined him. IV fluids were administered to rehydrate him. Blood was drawn and his heart was checked. His heart is strong and healthy. Surprisingly, Gulliver does NOT have a broken jaw. What he has is a mouth full of long sharp teeth, pointing in every direction--there are some missing, with the opposite (ie: lower) tooth growing up into the spaces left open--this doesn't allow the horse's mouth to grind food, it "locks" the jaw in place-- making it extremely difficult to eat properly. The dent is an old kick injury, but nothing is or was broken and appears to have no relevance to his condition. Sooo, we will be feeding him fortified mush, for the next week to build him up to allow him to safely undergo the sedation he'll need to correct the dental issue. During this week, we're also waiting for the bloodwork to be completed, to confirm or rule-out a disease or metabolic cause for his inability to gain weight.

Update: July 29: Blood work came back all within normal parameters except for Anemia. Will start him on a supplement.

Update: July 31: Gulliver required more emergency IV Fluids this evening. Not bouncing back yet the way we would like.

Aug. 4:

We've been feeding Gulliver a fortified "mushed" diet for a week and today he had his initial dental. The biggest issue was a lower molar that had grown up into the space left by a missing upper molar--which effectively halted his ability to chew his food normally. Eli had to cut the invasive tooth back to where it belonged, then floated the teeth, removing sharp edges and points and evening up surfaces so Gulliver can chew and digest his food more efficiently. This guy has been in a state of emaciation for well over a year, hopefully this will turn the tide for him. The photo shows the section of tooth that needed to be removed. It stands over 1/4" high, with the Chapstick as size comparison. The other pieces are just that, bits and pieces of the surrounding teeth that were also growing up into the space and had to be clipped back before the float tools could be used.

If anyone would like to sponsor Gulliver to help cover the costs of his veterinary care and rehabilitiation, that would be wonderful.

My Helping Hearts

~Jane Bunting

~Susan B. Monichetti

~Michelle Mars

~"My Equine Steward"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BUDDY ~~ Adoption Fee $800

Update: Dec. 20: Buddy has been backed and has been under saddle for a week now. He is a quick learner, and aims to please. Stay tuned for photos and video!!

Oct. 27 ~ Buddy is a coming 3 yr old, 13.3 hh gelding--now up to date on all vaccines, deworming and Coggins. He is a gorgeous and a beautiful mover. Adoption fee is currently $800.00 - - he's ready to start some career training & would love a wonderful home. He's a great project horse for the show-minded. Dressage pony anyone?

Thursday, June 4, '09 ~ This week, we've been working on a clandestine little 'rescue' to help a youngster out of a terrible situation. It was reported that an 8/9 mo. old colt had spent at least 3 weeks in solitary confinement in a tie-stall without turnout or contact w/any other horses. After conferring with Susankelly of Mylestone and asking a friend to act as our pick-up agent--I spoke with the colt's owner and agreed on a purchase; "Buddy" arrived 11:30 pm Tuesday night. Thank You Colleen (Equine Kneads Massage, LLC) & Tommy for picking up this little guy and getting him to safety.

A special Thank You to our co-rescue Mylestone Equine Rescue for helping us out and donating the funds for Buddy's $200 purchase fee and the $350 veterinary costs for Buddy's castration - - so that he is now becoming a civilized young man!! Check out Mylestone's website at http://www.mylestone.org/

I am told that this colt was standing in 8"-12" in manure, no room to turn around, barely enough room to lay down--I am awaiting photos of his 'accomodations'. Our vet conducted a preliminary exam today and confirmed my suspicions - - despite the previous owner's assertions--"Buddy" is 2 1/2 yrs old, NOT a 9 mo. old weanling. Why the false claims? Don't know . . . Buddy is intact and we have an appointment for his gelding-procedure. His Coggins is pulled and he received the 1st half of spring shots. He is half QH. He needs some weight, is extremely handsome, sweet, nice ground manners, etc. . . And the added bonus---***When he trots across the paddock - - this little boy FLOATS folks!!!!*** Can we say "Dressage Pony"?? He just needs a little TLC and he'll be ready to put in training.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ronnie -

~ 7 yr old Draft Cross mare, Mother of Wally - - Adoption Fee $800. Ronnie is currently 7 yrs old, is 15.1 hh and very sweet, teeth just recently floated. Ready for a home.

Recent Report from Paige - her Foster Mom:

Dec. 7 - I took her for a hack this weekend with her pasture buddy Tiva. We went up the road and around the farm and she was on a mission! She was looking here and there, being a tourist. She couldn't have been happier. I kept telling Katie to move Tiva up so Ronnie could follow, but Ronnie was content to lead. She has a really good mind. I've worked her in the lunging cavesson and am putting voice commands into her vocabulary. Under tack,we are walking and steering.

Nov. 8 -She is as sweet as can be. We started/backed her under tack in May, I took her to camp this summer and she absolutely loved having the kids around her. I didn't have the campers ride her as she was just backed before I took her to camp with me, however they groomed her, bathed her, gave her treats...she loved it. I did however have my staff ride/hack her often and with each ride she just got better and better. I had her teeth done recently. We took her for a light hack in the front field last weekend. She was super. She's the easiest horse I've ever started. You are welcome to come see her at any time

Ronnie was in the kill pen with Bruce over 4th of July, '08. As you can see, she was due to foal any day. THANK YOU Paige S. for taking her in. Thank You to everyone who contributed to this young lady's "Baby Shower'. Kathy Stanwood from Mylestone Rescue donated money to buy the pregnant mare and Mylestone helped w/vet bills. Thank you Ann Marie also for contributing toward this young lady's release and vet bills (contribution made in memory of Zsu Zsu. (Pull Fee: $300). Yes, It's shameful. Pregnant mares wind up in the kill pens all the time. The meat-men will pay a penalty, but the mares go. In our first year of operation,2008, we managed to pull TWO pregnant mares. both of whom delivered GORGEOUS, conformationally correct, dressage-quality babies.

Wally - Adoption Fee ~$1,000.00

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aHrDZy5330

Wally ~ One Year Old!! August 20, 2009

July 2: I think that Wally has hunter-jumper potential!! We were doing some groundwork with him in the indoor - - he decided he'd had enough and he wanted to be back with Chance - - And so JUMPED over the indoor's double-doors, 3 1/2 feet, to find his friend. . . .

Possibly a fox-hunter?

Wally - 15 months old - Nov. 21

Bouncing Baby Boy ~ Wally entered the world on Aug. 20:

Wally has a Helping Heart!!

~ Victoria Campo - Thank you Vicki

Born to Ronni on Aug., 20, 2008, we expect Wally to mature to about 15 hh or so. Mom is a draft cross, we suspect that Dad may have been a Hafflinger. Mom, Ronnie, will be started under saddle shortly. Her Foster-Mom gets right of first refusal.

May 25: Wally was gelded last Monday. -

Due to their special needs, the babies will only be adopted to persons with a minimum of 3 current years horse experience in ownership, handling, horse management. Thank You for your understanding - - youngsters can have difficult lives ahead of them if they receive the wrong handling and training during their 'formative' years.

Helping Hearts Second Chance ~ Adoption Fee $1,000.00

Chance's Slide-show can be seen at:

http://pets.webshots.com/slideshow/573489792fknUeR

New Holland Kill Pen Rescue ~ April 21 ~ Rescued "In Vitro". We pulled his 10 months pregnant mom from the Kill Pen at New Holland an hour before she was to be loaded to ship to slaughter. Rose gave birth to a beautiful colt on May 28. He has been named 'Helping Heart's Second Chance'. He was named by Rigo and Sergio Arias, who actually saved his life a second time (after the kill pen), by realigning him in the birth canal, as he was stuck, and pulling him free. Without them, he may have not survived.

Chance, at birth:

One Day Old:

One Week Old:

'Chance' could use some "Helping Hearts". Please consider being a Helping Heart. Thank You.

~Toni Monar

~"My Equine Steward" & Spirit Conley

Chance - February, '09 ~~ 8 months old: Chance is proving to be an extremely athletic young man, has a fabulous trot and loves to gallop from place to place. I see a dressage prospect here!!

SIMON ~ Permanent Resident:

Then -11/09/08 in the Direct-to-Slaughter Pen & now. Our sad man has found his 'smile'

Meet "Simon". He was an Amish workhorse all his life, and now aged, wound up in the Direct to Slaughter Pen at New Holland. He needs weight and is on antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection.He arrived 'home' yesterday, 11/18. His teeth were done, though they're entirely worn smooth, he did have sharp edges that were filed down. His age is approximated to be 26'ish.

Dec. 9: Simon's respiratory infection is pretty deep-seated - -we've put him on a stronger medicine, Naxell, to try to knock it out. He's gained weight already and we're combating infection in his back frogs, however like many Amish horses, he won't let us pick up his feet--so we play the 'here stand in this bucket so I can soak your feet' game.

Dec. 15 - The Naxel worked wonderfully, Simon's resp. infection is a thing of the past--the vet examined him and his lungs are clear. He is now ready to meet some new pasture mates.

Sun-bathing on a Warm Winter Day

Simon's favorite activities are eating & snoozing!!

Simon Dozing Off after a long, relaxing grooming session.

Simon Has some Helping Hearts: (GREAT - - as he LOVES to eat! A lot)

~Simon and Wendy Bateson

~Janet Lacetera

~Jane Bunting

~Kathleen Beeg

Thank You!!

Scotty:

June 22, 2009 - - Scotty is being fostered with Harry P. He's fitting right into the 'herd' and is proving to Harry just how sweet he can be

Weds., May 20 - --"SCOTTY" IS SAFE!!

We were this gelding's last chance before he shipped to slaughter. He was driven 4 - 5 hrs fr out of state and sold for meat. He's approx. 20 yrs old and has been a lesson horse, look how sweet he looks, not in bad condition, just needs some weight/TLC and a home. I'm guessing he was brought to NJ to avoid a barn's clientelle discovering that a dedicated lesson horse was sold for slauaghter when he slowed too much to be cost-effective.

UPDATE --I ran over and picked him up as soon as it looked like we'd get enough pledges to cover him. He's quarantining in our goat pen, initially oogling my goats, probably never saw goats before up close, and he was trotting around quite sound. Maybe he can't hold up to a lesson program anymore, but he's probably still got something to offer. The vet was out, gave him the 1st half of spring shots and pulled a Coggins. His dental is scheduled for Tuesday. His lip tatoo begins with an "M", making him 25 yrs of age. He definitely doesn't look it!

This is definitely a situation where "together we can help a horse in need." Please help us help him. . . . . . every little bit adds up.

My Helping Heart:

~Garry Lazarewicz

~Harry Pinand, My Foster-Dad

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lark a/k/a Lily ~ IN LONG-TERM FOSTER:

April 6, 2009 - Our little lady Lark is now in a long-term foster home and she's settled in nicely. I brought her 'home' last Thursday. I found out 'who' she was the night before she left. Lark's real name is Lily (she answers to it) and she worked as a lesson-horse at the same facility for over 10 years until she was sold to slaughter on 3/11. I'm not publishing the name of the barn to protect the 'guilty' (don't know why), but I've since learned that about 6 of their older lesson horses/ponies were "sent down the road" recently. We'll probably never know if any others from that barn were saved, but Lily is safe and will live out her life with love and affection. After spending over a decade teaching dozens of children to ride, she's earned the right to enjoy love, respect and dignity thru the end of her life. Thank You Erin L. for taking her in.

-----Original Message-----
From: Helping Hearts Equine Rescue [mailto:hheartsequine@optonline.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 12:41 PM
To: Undisclosed-Recipients;
Subject: Pony in feed lot

Hey Folks ~

Received a call this a.m. - - aged medium pony gelding wound up in the feed lot at Camelot last night. Asked if he was sound, was told he was off behind. Purportedly a school horse/pony, guess whomever was done with him and there you go . . . . . out w/the trash. No way a wobbly old pony is going to make it standing to a slaughter house.

Needs to be pulled out of there - - - Going over to check him out in a bit.

Stay tuned . . . . . .

Lisa

-----Original Message-----
From: Helping Hearts Equine Rescue [mailto:hheartsequine@optonline.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 5:03 PM
Subject: Re: Pony in feed lot

Here SHE is . . . (didn't really think I'd leave her there, did you?). . . Aged, solid App pony, about 14 hh., great manners, very sweet and calm. Hitchy in the right hind, needs just a bit of weight, runny eyes but both eyes work (have had a run on blind-in-one-eye ponies lately--). Overall not in bad condition. I'll have the vet check teeth and pull a Coggins tomorrow. She could be a walk-around pony for a small kid, companion, etc. I'm told she came out of a local lesson-program.

Friday: March 13, 2009 ~ "Lark" ate well, drinking water well, but noticed mid-morning that she'd only pooped 3X since yesterday, laying down a lot/quiet. Eli was due out anyway to do teeth on Robinson, Seal & check her out. Upon arrival, Eli concurred that "Lark" was 'considering' colicking. Yes, you take a 25 yr old pony to an auction, leave her there in the pens with other horses where she's bought for slaughter; then the day after that she trailers out of there to somewhere else (luckily, to HHER); and chances are the stresses are going to push her toward a colic. She was oiled, we did pull blood for a Coggins, examined her teeth, not a lot left but she still had edges and points. Her teeth were done a few days later after she settled in. Poor Girl - - she's been very, very sweet for everything.