Mother’s Day can be a challenging time for many of us – especially for those who cannot be with their moms or who have lost loved ones. Our team is thinking of you today. Please make sure to look after yourself and feel free to skip this message if you need.
From all of us here at AWHC — Happy Mother’s Day!
Photos by Mary Hone Photography
Today we’re celebrating mothers of all kinds and the nurturing spirit that brings new life into this world and guides it through.
Moms do so much for us. They are the backbone of so many of our families! That’s why today, we’re taking a break from our usual messaging to say:
To all the wonderful moms, grandmas, stepmoms, and moms-to-be out there — THANK YOU for all that you do!
We support you and today especially, we celebrate you. Have a very happy Mother’s Day!
You are giving big today, and we are so grateful. This is the spirit that changes lives! We are so close to our goal, with about $2000 to go, and if you give more, we’ll add another load of hay to the list!
Barney is another fan favorite. He came to AAE back in January 2019 with a bundle of issues. Barney was underweight by 250 to 300 pounds, he had respiratory issues, he had an intestinal issue, and he had some basic care needs that hadn’t been met.
He rebounded quickly. At one point, he was eating 54 pounds of pellets a day. Now, he’s a pretty easy keeper and takes in 15 to 20 pounds of pellets a day. Barney likes his girls, too. At any given moment, if you see ol’ Sierra in the pasture, Barney is usually right by her side. Poor mare, there are days you can see her thinking….”can I please just have a day to myself???”
For those that don’t know, Barney is a 23 (-ish) year old Belgian Draft Horse! He’s 17.0 hh and weighs in at nearly 1,500 pounds. His kind eye and gentle giant ways have made him a volunteer favorite. When he arrived at 20-ish, we knew he was well into his golden years, and we were lucky to have a sanctuary spot for him. Now at 23-ish, he’s upping the average life span for drafts.
Barney has a current need we are exploring. As many of you know, AAE volunteers are the eyes, ears, and voices for the horses in the program (and beyond). One day not so long ago, a very observative volunteer noticed Barney had streams of water coming out of his nostrils while he was drinking from a trough. With the help of a scope, our docs discovered his epiglottis is displaced. Unfortunately, due to a few challenges with equipment that day, we couldn’t get to the cause. We’ll know more after another scope. There are at least a couple possibilities, one is a bit easier to fix than the other. If it’s on the good side, a reasonably easy surgical procedure can help him. If not, he’s not a good candidate for the other surgery due to his age, size, and breed. So, keep your fingers crossed for a good outcome for this big guy. Your help today helps us provide care needed to give horses like Barney the best we can.
Big Day for Big Barney, right? Well, he thinks every day is a big day. For now, he and Sierra will head off for an evening stroll, leaving us with a great rear view! Love those big butts!!
Barney says thank you for helping him when his life looked so grim. You picked him up and brought him back to a good place, and he wouldn’t have found is girl, Sierra if you hadn’t. He’s cheering you on to Give Big and help him, help others. We’re so close to our goal! Help us cross that line! Donate, share the link, share his story, and share your love of horses.
It’s not to late, you too can raise the bar by pledging matching funds now! Inspire giving and double your donation to make your impact twice as BIG! To learn more about starting your own matching funds campaign for AAE, send us an email.
Last week, we alerted you to a highly contagious and deadly infectious disease outbreak occurring in real time at the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Cañon City holding facility in Colorado. In just the last 11 days, at least 124 wild horses have died in these holding pens — making this possibly the deadliest disease outbreak in BLM history.
Since we last emailed you, the BLM was able to identify the virus that has killed dozens of these cherished animals — Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) — a virus that the BLM is supposed to vaccinate wild horses and burros against once they are rounded up and removed from the wild.
The BLM reported that the 124 mustangs killed were either entirely unvaccinated or only partially-vaccinated against the deadly virus even though they had been at the facility for over 9 months.
At the same time, an active disease outbreak is occuring at the BLM’s off range holding corrals in Wheatland, Wyoming, where a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes strangles has so far infected half of the 2,750 horses confined there.
This developing situation raises serious concerns about the conditions in the BLM’s off-range holding system where 59,749 wild horses and 862 wild burros are being held — and we deserve answers.
Since Saturday, at least 67 wild horses have died in a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding facility in Colorado due to an unidentified, highly contagious, and deadly infectious disease.
This is the second government holding facility to close in recent weeks due to disease outbreaks related to the intense confinement of these wild animals.
RIGHT NOW → almost 60,000 wild horses and 862 wild burros are confined in BLM off-range holding facilities. And with plans to remove 19,000 more wild horses and burros from public lands this year, the BLM is putting thousands of these innocent animals at risk.
And — wild horses and burros aren’t just dying from disease in these facilities. Records show that hundreds of mustangs are dying from traumatic injuries like broken necks, skull fractures, broken legs, and even evisceration from castration surgeries following capture at government facilities across the country.
These wild horses do no harm where they belong — in the wild, but our government is placing them in harm’s way by cramming them into crowded holding facilities.
We must protect the thousands of federally-protected wild horses and burros in captivity today, but Meredith, we need your voice to help them.
Idaho Mission – The sorting of the Idaho horses went perfectly.
Of course there was a little excitement with some of the kids, but no one was injured and they are now being picked up by their adopters. Thank you for helping them. Us being able to bring our equipment and get them vetted meant the literal difference between adoptions or ????
BABY CALL – Phone rang last night and Cam and I jumped in the truck and headed out.
This beautiful (approximately) 2 week old filly is a tough one.
She was trampled by her band and her Mama just left her. Mama has zero interest in her so she was pulled and separated, hence the phone call.
We honestly have no idea if she will be ok, or if she has internal injuries. Hopefully it is just tenderness from bruises. (Having full size horses rushing over, and stepping on you and into you would easily leave you sore for a few days.) She has scrapes all over nearly every part of her body. Her eye was smacked and swollen and she obviously took a hard hit in her face. Her legs are severely swollen and she is exhausted and very shaky.
She is extremely fragile but oh my gosh, what a sweetheart! She needs prayers, meds and groceries. I have a call into Doc for bloodwork as soon as she can come out.
The back axle? snapped on the trailer right after we pulled in. Never a dull moment, but again, God keeps us safe!
“Great Grandma Norma” is here. No one wanted her, (she is old and starved nearly to death) and when I was asked if we would try and help her, of course I said yes.
She is in need of lots of TLC, groceries and prayers that she is Not preggers.
So appreciate the love and support. These kids are spendy to save, but God puts them in front of us for a reason! If you would like to help it would be so appreciated!
Thank you as always for all the love and support. I still need help to give our precious rescues the care and love they need.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING PART OF OUR FAMILY AND FOR SAVING SO MANY LIVES!
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
Our gratitude for your support is immense! Thank you! Your support is changing lives, one horse at a time!! Super great news, we’ve met our match, and as we write, we are more than halfway to our goal with $19,385, and we’re narrowing the gap to $25,000.
Jennings is another special horse that’s here today because of you! He’s still looking for his very special person, too. Are you his forever?
JENNINGS
Jennings is a handsome guy that came to AAE from the same distressed mustang sanctuary situation in the latter part of 2020. Like Chesney, Clare, and Teea, the sanctuary had cared for him (and many more), for about 20 years before falling on hard times. The horses were living in desert conditions. Because a big storm took out portions of perimeter fencing on the property years before, most were in their own small stalls (24′ x 24′ at most), each with a small shelter (roof only). No turn out, no attention. Because Jennings had been ridden in the past (prior to landing at the sanctuary) and was readily halterable unlike some, he got privileges. Though he was in a stall when we first met, the next time, we learned he was in a rotation of horses that roamed the property and had access to a stack of hay. Not only was on the thin side and past due for basic care, he had a sizable and uncomfortable looking growth on the side of his sheath that urgently needed veterinary attention.
Jennings is a 2005 BLM mustang. He’s goofy, he’s curious, he’s playful, and he’s a character! He’s really a big personality. Though he’d like you to think he is, he’s not the most confident guy. He also loves the girls, and he will protect his girl fiercely (whomever she is at the time). Though he’s pretty good when taken from the herd, he doesn’t much appreciate his girl being taken from the herd (for grooming, hoof care, vet exam, etc.). He really enjoys attention, but has moments of insecurity that need a handler who is a bit more experienced to understand.
From the time we first met Jennings until we picked him and the others up two weeks later, the growth had doubled in size. And from the time we got him to AAE and the vet saw him until the biopsy results results came, it had doubled again. We confirmed it was a squamous cell carcinoma, and it definitely needed to be removed. Not only was it likely painful, but it was a fly attractant extraordinaire. Fortunately, surgical removal was successful, and we were elated to know that Jennings was left with clean margins around the prior growth.
Playful, charismatic, hilarious, that’s Jennings. He’s usually easy peasy to halter, lead, farrier, trailer, etc. Saddle or bridle him, no worries. Usually. Add a rider, and he gets a little less confident, a little less “usually”. That said, we really believe with the right person, this guy can shine, and the way he defends his girls so fiercely, we think he’ll care for his person just the same, if he’s given the time, patience, and effort he so deserves. Does that sound like a match for you?
He’s so playful in the herd, and sometimes he’s really a pest. He chases, he nips, he instigates, and he raises the bar. He and Ryder have a bromance going, and he even gets our senior, bitchy-broad (oops, did I say that) Bonnie to be playful in his games. My goodness, she rears tall in her antics with this silly guy, and it’s hard to believe that she’s in her 20s, but she sure gets it goin’ and gives it back! The right home would have another horse with a similarly big personality, so their playful antics can go on…. and on … and on! You won’t be bored with this guy, that’s for sure!
Jennings is still waiting for that home of his own. If you have experience with mustangs, are looking to make a special bond, and you have another playful horse, you might be the one he’s looking for!
Jennings so appreciates the opportunity you gave him for a better life! He says it’s a BIG day, and he knows you have a lot of nonprofits to choose from. He wants to pay it forward by asking you to help us meet our goal and help other horses like him. Donate, share the link, share a story, and share your love of horses.
Thanks to so many of you, we’ve met our match, and we are inching toward our goal of raising $25,000 by midnight tonight! We are only a little over $5,000 away, and we have just over 12 hours to go!
Your support today will help with the rising costs of hay, feed, fuel, and other operational needs. We are confident you are going to get us through the finish line however you can: donate, share, share, and share more, spread the word about AAE, and put in a good word for the work we do.
Please consider making a donation to AAE in honor of Jennings!
It’s not to late, you too can raise the bar by pledging matching funds now! Inspire giving and double your donation to make your impact twice as BIG! To learn more about starting your own matching funds campaign for AAE, send us an email.
As we’re settling into our new home in Pilot Hill, it seems the perfect time to reflect on some of the special horses you have helped over the years.
We are all so very thankful, incredibly grateful, and unbelievably blessed to have your support in making better the lives of so many horses!!
This beautiful trio is still looking for a home. Chesney, Clare, and Teea are so very bonded, the ideal situation is for them to move to a home where they can be together. They are mid-teens and each very unique!
CHESNEY, CLARE, and TEEA
Three red-headed mares, oh my! Chesney, Clare, and Teea came to AAE from a distressed mustang sanctuary situation in the latter part of 2020. The sanctuary had cared for these girls, and many more, for about 20 years before falling on hard times. They were living in desert conditions, each in their own small stall (24′ x 24′ at most), each with a small shelter (roof only). No turn out, no attention. They were in need of basic care, it had been deferred much too long. It was a sad sight, needless to say. Though not a lot of handling, they each wanted to trust, and they trusted enough to follow us quietly onto the trailer, as if they new it was the path that offered the hope of something better, a new beginning.
CHESNEY
Chesney was so incredibly shy and uncertain. She stood firm, but trembled. The fear in her eyes, and the quiver in her body spoke volumes, but she was willing. She allowed a slow reach below her neck and behind her ears to place a halter, then a lead. Slowly, she followed. She tried so hard to understand what was asked and then oblige.
Chesney is a 2006 BLM mustang. She got the works (e.g. dental, hoof care, vaccines, deworming, and a microchip) shortly after arriving at AAE. She’s slowly blossomed since arrival. She’s gaining confidence, and she becoming a greet you in the pasture kinda girl. Chesney still needs to grow some confidence, but she’s come a long way, and with a steady, confident person of her own by her side, she has a ton of potential. She halters, leads, and loads, though not fearlessly. She still needs some patience and reassurance.
Her hooves and body condition have improved immensely, and she’s absolutely gorgeous strutting her stuff with Teea.
CLARE
Clare was a bit more confident. She new humans were her ticket to food. That said, she had her limits, namely, anything around her hind end. Beware! We got one warning, and didn’t test her limits. That said, if we respected her hind end, she was easy peasy. Poor mare had been suffering some gnarly allergies. She had large raised scarred areas on all of her legs, like scar over scar over scar. She had a rogue hoof. It was much longer than the rest, and it sure seemed uncomfortable as it rotated outward when she walked.
Clare is also a 2006 mustang. She also got the works shortly after arrival at AAE (e.g. hoof care, dental care, vaccines, deworming, and a microchip). Her legs were treated with an antibiotic ointment long-term, and they have improved tremendously.
Clare (left) is a sassy one. She’s a mare for sure. Opinionated, strong-willed, and sweet as pie when she wants to be. She’s learning to live in a cooperative way, maybe not with all the other horses, but she’s understanding cooperation among the two-leggers is the way to go. Humor aside, she’s got a really sweet side, and she enjoys being in the company of humans, in the pasture or in a smaller space.
TEEA
Teea was such a red hot mess, a diamond in the rough. She was a pathetic sight with pancakes for front hoofs, and she, too, was so very scared. She trembled, but stood planted while introducing the halter and lead. It took a few times to assure her we meant no harm. Giving her time to understand and patience to earn her trust was enough. As the saying goes, with mustangs, slower is faster. She walked as if she had scuba flippers on her front hooves. If only we had nippers in the trailer, it would have made the long road easier. She loaded fine then, though she’s not so confident loading now.
Teea is a 2007 mustang. She too got the works shortly after arrival at AAE (e.g. hoof care, dental care, vaccines, deworming, and a microchip). Her hooves took a few trims to get them right, but she’s maintaining very well with maintenance trims now.
Teea’s confidence comes from her girls, mostly Chesney. If she loses sight of her, she loses her mind, kinda. It takes a big effort to bring her back to thinking about whats in front of her at hand. She’s getting better with time, but it’s clear, Chesney and Clare are her world. To separate them at this point would be an injustice to the bond they have. Teea is definitely most heavily bonded. With all of the space they have now, where there is one, there are three. They are looking for a home, together. Can you imagine looking out your window and seeing three beautiful redheads??? It would be the perfect ending to their time with AAE.
Chesney, Clare, and Teea are still waiting for that home of their own. If you have experience with mustangs, love the bonds you make with them, and would like to be a fabulous solution for these three big, beautiful personalities, it would be a dream come true for all of us!
No matter what, Chesney, Clare, and Teea appreciate the opportunity you gave them for a better life!
Big Day of Giving is the perfect day to honor them and other horses like them!
Gentle reminder, a generous donor has offered to match dollar for dollar, every dollar donated, up to $5,000 for Big Day of Giving from now through midnight tomorrow, May 5! We are just over the halfway point at $2531 since the match was announced. We have just over 24 hours to meet our match!
Our goal for Big DOG is to raise $25,000 to help with the rising costs of hay, feed, fuel, and other operational needs. We are quite a ways from our goal, but we’re confident you are going to help us get there however you can: donate, share, share, or share more, spread the word about AAE, and put in a good word for the work we do.
Please consider making a donation to AAE in honor of the three redheads tomorrow for BDOG, and DOUBLE your impact.
It’s not to late, you too can raise the bar by pledging matching funds now! Inspire giving and double your donation to make your impact twice as BIG! To learn more about starting your own matching funds campaign for AAE, send us an email.
As we’re settling into our new home in Pilot Hill, it seems the perfect time to reflect on some of the special horses you have helped over the years.
Another oldie but goodie is elderman, Danny! This ol’ guy is well known for his sweet demeanor and his hugs.
DANNY
Danny’s story isn’t one of neglect, abandonment, abuse, or poor care. Sadly, it’s one of human health and aging. Danny was loved beyond words. So much, his former owner considered euthanizing him rather than risk him having difficulties transitioning to a new home, ending up in a bad home, or worse, the fear of auctions and the slaughter pipeline. It was an emotional day for all when we picked Danny up and brought him home to AAE.
Danny’s owner’s health was failing, and she was unable to provide ongoing care for him any longer. He knew no other owner, as he was born to her mare. Mama rejected him for four days, and on the fifth day, Mama finally accepted him. Danny spent those four days with his surrogate mom while she held mom and made sure he was able to nurse, initially go get the colostrum he needed. It was a very rocky start, but Danny and his other mom grew a bond like no other. She trained him; she rode him; they competed together. They spent 27 years together until they had to say good bye. Fortunately, the timing was right, and Danny had special people in his life that paved the way for him to get to AAE. He arrived in 2017, and at 27, we knew Danny would spend the rest of his years with us.
You can see the pattern here! Danny loves everyone he meets, and he is very generous with his hugs. Similarly, everyone that meets Danny falls instantly in love the moment he rests his chin on their shoulder. The emotions are palpable! Everyone simply melts when he rests his head on their shoulder.
Danny is another sanctuary resident that helps teach new volunteers how to work around horses. He very much enjoys interacting with humans, and spa days getting groomed. Danny is the most kind, mellow, and affectionate horse we have known, and we are so grateful he is here.
Danny appreciates the kindness you’ve shown him and his herd mates! Big Day of Giving is the perfect day to honor Danny and other horses like him!
You too can raise the bar by pledging matching funds now! Inspire giving and double your donation to make your impact twice as BIG! To learn more about starting your own matching funds campaign for AAE, send us an email.
Big Day of Giving is this Thursday!
You can double the impact of your donation by helping us meet our initial goal to match $5000. [Help us reach our goal of $25,000 by making an early gift anytime from now until May 4 at midnight or donate on the BIG DAY itself.
Your gifts this Big Day of Giving will help the horses in so many ways including providing feed, veterinary care, and hoof and dental care. Hay prices have skyrocketed with the early weather this year. Your donations help assure we have ample funding for the care of our horses.
If you’d prefer to donate by mailing a check or via PayPal or Square, those are options, too. Send us an email, and we’ll send you the address or a link.
Big Day of Giving (BDOG) is a 24-hour online giving challenge to help AAE and other non-profits in the Sacramento area to raise funds and awareness. But you can support us on BDOG wherever you live!
Boots & Bling is AAE’s most important fundraising event of the year for our horses and horses-in-need. There are many ways to support this event!. Sponsor the event? Sponsor a table? Donate to our auctions? Can you help? Together, in many ways, we can make a difference for horses like Danny!
If you are interested in volunteering, sponsoring, or donating, please send us an email describing your interest to bootsnbling@allaboutequine.org.
Interested in volunteering at event? We are looking for volunteers to help with the Boots & Bling teams in the following areas: event planning and decor, sponsorships and auctions, ticket sales, and volunteer coordinating. We will be scheduling a planning meeting soon!
If you are interested in volunteering, sponsoring, or donating, please send us an email describing your interest to bootsnbling@allaboutequine.org.
The image of a wild horse, free and running through a rugged landscape, has long been the symbol of the American West. This is echoed in our film and literature and contributes to the idea of America as a bold new landscape. However, much of the history of wild horses in America is disputed. The origin of this species is a debate that looks not only at the deep history of our planet, but also the claims to land management and ecology that various organizations and communities are involved in, to this day.
The once common idea that horses arrived in the “New World’ via Columbus in 1492, has now been discussed in several publications that look at the prehistoric records of North America. Wild horses have always been a part of the North American landscape. It is the question of whether or not this animal is “native” or introduced to the landscape that haspeople looking closer at this narrative.
It’s the first day of May – and you know what that means – the first day of Burro Awareness Month!
We started Burro Awareness Month back in 2012 to highlight the beauty of one of our favorite equine species, the majestic wild burros of the American Southwest, and to educate the public about the unique struggles they face.
While wild mustangs often get the spotlight, burros tend to get left out of the conversation. So we dedicate this month every year to raising awareness about all things pertaining to our beloved burros – and , it’s about time we make it a national holiday!
Burros were first introduced to the Southwest desert by the Spaniards in the 1500s and served as a reliable companion to explorers and pioneers on their treks throughout the West in the centuries thereafter. Originally from Africa, these pack animals were prized for their hardiness in arid environments!
They worked tirelessly to carry supplies and machinery to mining camps and became indispensable to the workers of the West. At the end of the mining boom, many burros escaped or were turned loose, and with their innate ability to survive under the harshest conditions — wild herds eventually formed and flourished.
They’re not just rugged work animals though…wild burros are also some of the most adorable and cuddly creatures you’ll ever see! They have long ears, a short mane, and vary in color from black to brown to gray and even to pinto!
As we’re settling into our new home in Pilot Hill, it seems the perfect time to reflect on some of the special horses you have helped over the years. None is more special than our elderman, Amigo. At 33, he is the grand dad of all the horses enjoying their new views in Pilot Hill.
AMIGO
Amigo came to AAE with two of his pals in mid-January 2018 from a neglect situation. He weighed-in about 850 pounds, and we were told he was 29. As thin as he looks in photos, he was much thinner. His coat was thick with dead like an old shag rug that tried to hide his bony frame. He was started on a slow refeeding program, but despite efforts of a very slow introduction to food, after about a week at AAE, he had a bout of colic.
It felt so grim, but this ol’ guy was a warrior. Thankfully, Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center was on site quickly. It wasn’t a bad colic, but he battled through it like the survivor he is! He bounced back up to his like he’d waken from a bad dream, then never looked back. He was also covered with ticks, with a good 150 or so removed and finding more every day for several days, then more each day until they were gone.
A year or so later, he was transported to the vet for another bout with colic and was fortunately able to return home to the herd after a few days. Over the years, he’s had some ups and downs, but this old fart (yes, those that know him, know), has been the bestest gentleman ever to new volunteers learning about horses, and all of our volunteers that care for him every day, come rain, sleet or snow….and the hella hot days, too!
For a multi-tude of reasons: what he went through, his will to survive, his age, his demeanor, his kind and gentle spirit, and not last nor least, the way he acted so terrified at what must have been the first mini horse he’d ever seen, we all fell madly in love with this big oaf and felt AAE should be his last stop. He’s been a resident program/sanctuary horse since. Looking at him now, it’s hard to believe it’s the same horse!
At 33, this beautiful ol’ guy exemplifies how your support helps horses like Amigo. This old man got another chance at life when his world looked so grim. He got love, he got to live like a horse, he was treated with love, kindness, empathy, and respect.
He is an ambassador for horses to everyone that meets him. He is patient, he’s kind, and he’s one of the most trustworthy horses at AAE. He’s is a perfect reminder of how fragile yet resilient horses are. He holds no grudges for humans, even though he wasn’t treated so kind in his prior life, and he gives back so much to everyone he encounters.
Amigo is so grateful to have had your support giving him another chance.
Amigo is so grateful to have had your support. If Amigo’s story resonates with you, please consider making a donation to AAE in honor of Amigo on the Big Day of Giving May 5, if you can. If you don’t want to wait, you can give now.
If his story inspires you to do more, please share his story and how you help horses like Amigo.
You can raise the bar by pledging matching funds now! Inspire giving and double your donation to make your impact twice as BIG!
Idaho Mission – The sorting of the Idaho horses went perfectly.
Amigo came to AAE with two of his pals in mid-January 2018 from a neglect situation. He weighed-in about 850 pounds, and we were told he was 29. As thin as he looks in photos, he was much thinner. His coat was thick with dead like an old shag rug that tried to hide his bony frame. He was started on a slow refeeding program, but despite efforts of a very slow introduction to food, after about a week at AAE, he had a bout of colic.
