Helping Hearts Equine Rescue, Inc
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Our Permanent Residents
Permanent Residents arrive at HHER through a variety of means, and wind up staying for various reasons. Fred had a busy children's pony career and is now approx 34 yrs old. I have a soft spot for the seniors. They work hard thru the years and earn their keep. Too often as they reach the end of their "usefulness", they are discarded. They are now safe and cherished here at HHER.
Gemini and Chance are young horses, Gem is about 9 and Chance is 5, but due to circumstances, are not adoptable at this time. Their stories can be found with their photos.
We are not looking to adopt these guys out, they are now permanent residents of our rescue. What we wish for, for them, are sponsors to help us care for them in their Golden Years. Sponsors will be listed on our website.
No amount is too small to become a Helping Heart. With multiple Helping Hearts, it all adds up. Helping Hearts will be listed in each Resident's bio.
Monthly sponsorships (Or even a one-time contribution for the guy or gal who tugs at your heart-strings) can be mailed to us at
~Helping Hearts, PO Box 342, Perrineville, NJ 08535
OR
Paypal'd to us by going to www.paypal.com and using our email addy: [email protected]
OR Click on this Paypal button:
Gaiter-Arrived July 9, 2013. He's a 23 yr old Peruvian Paso Gelding who was National Champion "Luxury" Peruvian Paso of 2004, 2005 and 2008. Now he will spend his Golden Years with HHER.
Gaiter, our newest arrival, is a lucky guy. He had a wonderful loving and caring owner who due to medical circumstances, could no longer maintain her horses. She reached out to us months ago asking if we could intake. She had previously placed him privately to what she thought was an excellent situation. Sadly the home did not turn out as expected and she took him back. Gaiter had to spend weeks at a vet clinic to recover from the neglectful care he received. When his owner contacted us, she was willing and able to wait until we had space availability, and she continues to help with his care costs.
Bailey is a 6/7 yr old Pinto pony gelding, approx. 14 hh. He is a very sweet boy, with an ataxia/neurolgic issue in his hind end. We are looking for a companion-only home for him. He has completed treatment with Baycox for possible EPM, and he is what he is. Apparently, he began showing the ataxia about a year and a half ago, but did not receive treatment or diagnosis, So after this long period of time, chances of reversal are extremely slim. Now that we are finished with Baycox, we are adding Vitamin E to his diet to see if it helps alleviate the symptoms. (one treatment at a time, so that we know what may, or may not, be working)
3/27 Update: We pulled blood last Tues for an EPM titre and he had his teeth floated yesterday. His teeth probably haven't been done --- ever. Lots of sharp edges and uneven surfaces. Much better now!
Bentley has been Rallying on his Meds and supplemens. Specifically, the Prednisolone has helped clear the weeping coronary bands and chestnuts, and he's again gaining weight. Yay Bentley!!
It takes a village to give Bentley a bath. When he decides he's done, he just leaves. Whether you're hanging onto that lead rope or not.
The villagers pictured are Kara S. and Anne and Wayne Howell.
Yes, Bentley is looking a bit thin again. The extreme starvation he endured initiated a rare autoimmune disorder known as Pemphigus. We are awaiting biopsy results to confirm the diagnosis. We are currently fine-tuning dosages of medications and supplements to alleviate the symptoms and maintain a high quality of life for Bentley. Sadly, there is no cure. Our goal is to keep him happy and comfortable for as long as possible, and currently he is.
Bentley -- 13 yr old, 18 hh Clydesdale Gelding. ~~Currently in Rehab, not ready for adoption. Though Bentley has put on an incredible amount of weight since Dec. 1, he still needs at least 150-200 lbs. We are also working on clearing the scratches and fungal infections in his feathers and on the coronary bands of his hooves, as well as improving his wind and overall condition as he's too easily winded from a brisk walk.
We receive an incredible number of adoption inquiries a week for Bentley. His adoption fee will be determined once he is ready to be adopted. We expect it to be in the $1,000 - $1,500 range. Additionally, it is IMPERATIVE that any prospective adopters realize that the out of pocket expense to feed Bentley PROPERLY is between $525 - $550/month. We've already seen what corner-cutting has done to him, twice now. The first time was when we pulled him from the Feed Lot in April of 2009, and then upon his return on Nov. 30, 2011. That will NOT happen to him again.
Once he's at full weight, his maintenance diet is approx 12 lbs of grain a day, a fat supplement such as Purina's Amplify Nuggets (30% fat) and a bale of hay a day. He is currently eating 16 lbs of Senior a day, broken into 3 meals, along with the Amplify and free choice hay.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WE pulled Bentley from the Camelot Feed Lot in April, 2009 and he was adopted out on Nov. 27, 2009. Sadly, of late, his adoptors were unable to provide the care necessary for a Gorgeous Clydesdale Boy. Bentley came back to us on Nov. 30. The vet pulled blood to ascertain his health, and his teeth have since been floated. We are hoping for "Helping Hearts" (sponsors) for Bentley's recovery.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF BENTLEY'S GENEROUS SUPPORTERS, WHO HAVE DONATED TOWARD HIS CARE AND REHABILITATION!!
My Helping Hearts:
~Debbie PFau
~Ralph Ruocco
~ Bentley's Benefactors on Facebook!
May 21, 2011
Haflinger Mare #839 (a/k/a 214 from one month previous) from the May 18, 2011 Camelot Sale –
Haffie mare was purchased privately. Upon bringing her home, the new owners realized she was a bit more of a project than they had the time to commit to. She did not behave in a dangerous or erratic manner; she was just fearful and wary of being approached. At that point the owner reached out, looking for a situation where she would be given the time she needs. A private intervention enabled Helping Hearts Equine Rescue to purchase the mare.
“Gemini”, “Gem” for short, is now with Helping Hearts Equine Rescue. She is in an excellent foster-situation for the short-term. She loaded easily for her transfer to her new location. She has shown no aggression, just caution and unease in her interactions with people, and has been otherwise quiet. She IS difficult to approach and catch, and so is currently residing in a small enclosure with a run-in shed; with a gate leading to a larger area for hand-grazing and additional turnout once she progresses to that point. She seems quite content with her living arrangements. Our Foster-Mom’s initial assessment: “I think she is good hearted, just has been abused.” Gem will receive all the patience and care she needs to gain and build her confidence with people.
Updates, including add'l photos, on Gemini's progress can be read at:
October 18, 2011 - Well, Gem has been here for 2 months, and it's been quite a roller-coaster ride. She is so exremely fearful of being touched, it is incredible, it truly is a shame. Her body reaction to the initial touch is a reflexive "spasm", as though she had just been electric-shocked. I have my theories about that sort of reaction, and have to wonder if someone used a cattle prod on her. Excessively.
Sadly, she virtually always whinnies when she sees someone approach, and then backs off and avoids contact when we enter her paddock or stall. For her first month here, despite this, she was coming and accepting handling for a cookie or grain. This changed the day I attempted to touch her below her hocks during a grooming/handling session. She was NOT a happy camper, but eventually did submit to it, but was worried the whole time. The next day, we couldn't touch her even in her stall. Day 3 she let us catch her and turn her out, and then we couldn't catch her for another 2 days -- she wouldn't even come in for dinner. Since then, she's been erratic/variable from day to day. Some days we can touch her, some days we can't. I have begun to think that the necessary contact of "barn-living" may be too much for her at this point. She fears every movement and touch of humans; and due to the way we're set up, we MUST handle her to bring her in and put her out. We found ourselves having to keep catch ropes on her 24/7 and still not always able to catch her.
This weekend, I started rolling things around in my head, quite a few "what ifs" -- who knows how long she's been confirmed to small paddocks and stalls due to the "catching problem"; maybe she just needs time without the daily interaction to decompress; maybe on her own, on her own agenda, she'll come around, maybe she won't. . . . I needed my hubby's approval to go ahead with my hair-brained scheme and after some discussion he gave his blessing -- said "go for it, she needs every chance". So, our farm may now possibly have our very own wild pony. . . . ; )
Yesterday after the vet came out and we got her up to date on all vaccines and dewormings, Gemini was released into our biggest field--it's about 7+/- acres. She was happy -- running, bucking, leaping into the air and just playing. This morning she was happily hanging out with the horses who go out for the day. Now, I fully expect to never get our hands on her again. But, maybe, just maybe, in her own time, without the constant pressure of our need to handle her, someday she'll come to us. If not, our farm will have its own wild pony. If she does come to us at some point, be it 6 months, a year, 2 years, it'll be an added bonus. Stay tuned. . .
Helping Hearts Second Chance ~
April, 2012 - I've been doing a lot of thinking and soul-searching about our handsome boy Chance. He'll be 4 yrs old next month-May 28. And many have asked when we're planning on starting him under saddle, we get a lot of inquiries on him. There's a reason that he's not yet been started under saddle. That's because we don't think he has the mental/emotional ability to "work" for a living. We've been giving the extra time he needs to mature and 'grow-up' as he is mentally immature.
I'm sure this post will set off a fire-storm of second opinions, training options and ideas. But, I've known Chance since the day he was born. He's been handled regularly since that day. we've had volunteers working with him (Thank You Shawn and Janet) and for the last several months, Dana M. Palmieri, has been spending hours with him 3 days a week. He's sweet, he loves attention, he tries real hard. He seemingly makes steady progress, and then regresses in a day. How? He becomes over-stimulated by every day things that he's done dozens of times. It's a regular pattern. Basically, Chance is a big, handsome, athletic. . . perpetual yearling. He loves playing in the field, he loves coming to the fence for attention. His mindset is that of a big kid. My thoughts on this:
He had a difficult birth, a dystocia, and I suspect some oxygen deprivation may have occurred while he was re-positioned and pulled from the mare. Knowing him his whole life, I don't feel 'safe' in adopting him out. The vast majority of homes want a working/rideable horse. I have the support of vets (plural, we've had outside vets come in to assess him) in my assessment of him, as well as the several people who have handled and worked with him on a regular basis. My goal now is to find placement for him with a trustworthy sanctuary/organization where he will be safe and secure . If that position cannot be found for him, he will remain at HHER as a permanent resident.
Current video on YouTube -- Chance is starting his training -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nUVa1dYy5g 
Chance is a wonderful horse who needs a loving and patient home. We're taking his training slowly, advancing as he's ready. Although he's handled every day going back and forth to the field, groomed a couple times of week, etc., he needs more hands-on ---
He's immature mentally -- new things fluster him. He's led a sheltered life here, having been born here, not seen a lot but his stall, his field, the indoor ring,etc.
Not all horses are text-book "do this at 2, this at 2 1/2, this at 3", to give each horse the best chance at a successful life, we go at their speed. He's probably a couple months or so away from being ready to start saddle-training.
I'm looking for an owner who can give him that time and not rush him to get him under saddle. Someone who is into the Parelli-type, ground work would be wonderful.
We've got a wonderful volunteer coming several times a week and Chance has taken some steps forward. He's being introduced to new things around the farm, standing better in cross-ties, grooming, touching his head and upper neck (something he's not real keen on, for some reason). He's never seen the trailer, he's been here since he was born. He need to start introducing to that sort of "strange stuff".
Free-longing on Feb. 9, 2011- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILbiGz96beM
Elegant 3 yr old bay gelding. A lovely lower-level dressage prospect. Leggy and 16 hh at 2 yrs old, will probably mature to 16.3-17hh. Born at Helping Hearts on May 28, 2008 to a mare already tagged for slaughter when we got her. She gave birth a month after arriving. Yes, h...e's a standardbred, but DAMN, he's gorgeous and has a LOT of potential.
Chance Free-longing in Dec., '09 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLL7F9SYvwM
Chance's baby-picture Slide-show can be seen at:
http://pets.webshots.com/slideshow/573489792fknUeR
Chance is now 3 yrs old and stands 16 hh!! 
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
~Allyson Albinson
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!!
PERMANENT RESIDENT ~~ HHER SPOKES-DONKEY!!
JEFFERSON!! ~ KING DONKEY of Helping Hearts!!
Originally from Camelot - June 16, 2010. Jefferson is a permanent resident of our program. He is part of our Educational Program.
Jefferson and Burke
#258 - Standard Donkey JACK - 12 hh, 6 yrs. very friendly, very loud, BIG head, LONG ears, CUTE. Led thru . . .$50.00
ADORABLE!! Thank You Sue for donating toward his pull fee.
July 13- Jefferson is 'home' from QT and is quite the character. Has a bit of an infection from his castration, and so is on injectible Naxel. We do NOT like shots!!!! 3 more days. . . . .
A face only a Mother could love??
