The new year has brought a steady shower of literal rain drops and new arrivals, and finally, a bit of sunshine, too!
In the past two months, seven horses have come into our care. Each one arriving with its own needs, but all seeking the same thing: safety, consistent care and nutrition, and a chance to begin again.
We’re so glad to say they’ve found that here, thanks to you.
Some of these faces you’ve briefly “met”, and today, we’ll be sharing more details about each them. We are also excited to introduce you to the rest.
The group is settling in, getting their needs met, and starting their next chapters.
Skeeter
Skeeter is a late-teens gelding that came to AAE via law enforcement after he was picked up as a stray. His owners didn’t claim him, and he needed a place to go.
When we picked him up on New Year’s Day, Skeeter was a bit skeptical of humans, but he loaded onto the trailer like he’d done it many times before.
His weight was pretty good, but he needed all the basics. At AAE, he had dental and hoof care, vaccines, and deworming, and he got a microchip.
Skeeter has made steady progress. He is becoming more and more confident with humans, and he’s beginning to enjoy the interactions. He was comfortable with saddle and bridle introductions, and he’s been ridden in the round pen a couple of times. So far, he seems unphased with a rider, but he’s far from having a solid understanding. He definitely needs some work on his stop and backing. He’s a really sweet lil’ guy! With some work and developing more confidence, this guy will make someone a nice lil’ partner.
Skeeter is available for adoption to an experienced person. He’s not suitable for a beginner at this time. Visit Skeeter’s page for more information or visit ourwebsite for information about our adoption process.
Graycie & Belles
Graycie and Belles came to AAE in mid-January after seizure in a neglect case. They were both thin, and Graycie had a gut full of sand. Graycie was hesitant to allow us to put a lead on her halter (that was already on); Belles was ready to go. Both loaded willingly and transported quietly.
Graycie (gray) is an aged mare, likely late 20s. She’s very sensitive, and a bit defensive around her face. For now, her halter is staying on. It takes time for her to trust anyone attaching lead. Once done, she’s fairly easy-going, but still hesitant to have hands coming anywhere near her face. Belles (dark bay) is a mid-teens mare. She’s sweet, calm, kind, and easy-going so far.
After quarantine, both had much needed dental and hoof care, along with vaccines and deworming. Both got microchips, too. They are getting some TLC and putting on some pounds, looking better by the day. Both are good with hoof-handling and the farrier. Belles will be introduced to a saddle and evaluated more, soon. Graycie is improving, slowly. We’re giving this sweet ol’ gal all the time she needs.
Both will be available for adoption, soon. Graycie will likely need an experienced non-riding companion home.
Coffey
Coffey is a mid-20s Arabian mare that came to AAE in late January from an elderly couple who had been struggling with her care. She haltered readily, loaded willingly, and traveled well back to AAE.
Coffey is a sweet and sassy mare that has plenty of opinions, and she doesn’t hesitate expressing them ;). She was in good physical condition, but needed other basics. After quarantine, she had her spa days getting hoof and dental care, vaccines, and deworming, and she got a microchip.
We were told Coffey was well trained under saddle but hasn’t been ridden for several years. We’re gearing up to reintroduce a saddle and see where that goes. She was good with the farrier, and she can be easy to handle, but she’s also forward and higher energy, so will likely need an experienced person to safely put her back in the saddle and move her forward. She’ll be available for adoption, soon!
Marshall + Dillon
Marshall and Dillon are beautiful Shires that came to AAE in mid-February from a boarding facility in Southern California. One of our volunteers got a call from another rescue she used to volunteer with because they were unable to help. M&D were abandoned at a boarding facility after their owner moved across country and was unable to transport them to her due to costs. She also stopped paying her board in early Fall. We were told Marshall was kind, but a bit untrusting, and Dillon was a big sweetheart.
It was dark when they arrived, and we were at the front end of the big storms. Not the kind of welcome they should have gotten.
Turns out, after getting vet records, Marshall (four white stockings) is a mid-teen gelding, and Dillon (two hind stockings) is a nearly 28 year old mare. That was a long haul for this poor ol’ girl. Not sure we would have asked her to make that trip if we’d known her age.
They’ve settled in after quarantine, and will have their spa days, soon. Dillon is in a full set of shoes due to a deep hoof crack in a hind hoof. It appears the crack has grown out completely, so hopefully, her shoes can come off, and she can stay comfortable barefoot on a regular trim schedule.
These two will stay as residents in sanctuary at AAE, and will not be available for adoption. Dillon can rest quietly knowing this is her last stop, and she can be loved and spoiled while we help Marshall grow some courage and build his confidence so he can be a gentle giant alongside Dillon. They’ll fill the big void we’ve had since losing our big boy Barney in Fall 2024.
Fiona
Fiona came to AAE the end of February via law enforcement as a result of a neglect situation at a boarding facility. She had large wound on her right foreleg, that was likely not being treated. Fiona was seen by vet and treated at a shelter, and she was mauling her bandage/wrap.
Fiona is a big, sweet 2024 filly, supposedly a QH/Draft. She haltered and loaded willingly at the shelter, and she traveled quietly back to AAE. Initially, she was protective of the wound and cleaning/wrapping, and kicking and biting was part of her MO. She soon realized we were working slowly and gently to clean and wrap (or more likely, pain was reducing). She has a recheck appointment coming up, but her wound seems to be healing well, slowly. It’s a fairly big one; we’ll add photos to the website, soon.
Once her wound has healed a bit more, she’ll have her spa day and catch up with basic care needs. At two, she’s due for her first dental; her hooves aren’t terrible, but need a trim. All the while, we’ll be getting to know her better, and once healed and ready, she’ll be available for adoption.
While seven horses may not be the largest group we’ve ever welcomed, it’s still a meaningful undertaking with a lot of needs in a short amount of time, especially so early in the year. Veterinary care, farrier work, feed, training, and managing daily needs adds up quickly at this pace. There are many more horses needing help than we can responsibly take in, but together, we can continue helping as many as we’re able to, one horse at a time.
In just the past two days, we’ve received calls to help eight more horses. Before we can support any more, we need to assure we have the resources we need. That’s where our Rainy Day Fund comes in. Your support helps ensure these seven have everything they need, and allows us to show up for horses-in-need, no matter how the year unfolds.
Our newest arrivals (and all the horses in our care) could really use a few more champions in their corner. While they’re at AAE recovering and simply enjoying the safety and care they deserve, monthly sponsors help make sure their daily needs are covered.
You can make a big difference by choosing a horse and sponsoring them with a small monthly gift in their honor. Even $5 or $10 a month (about the cost of skipping one coffee run) adds up to meaningful support for horses who need it most.
Just imagine the impact if every one of our followers gave a little each month to help horses in need. We’re incredibly grateful to those of you who already do; you truly make this work possible.
If you’d like to join the team and sponsor a horse, you can learn more about our sponsorship program here. And if you have questions or want to talk through the options, feel free to give us a call 916-520-4223 or send us an email and we’ll be happy to chat.
We Need Your Help for the Next Volunteer Day
Saturday, March 21
We had such a productive day this past Saturday, we want to do it again! Actually, the grass and weeds are coming in with a vengeance, and we have a few more things that need to get done before the monster weeds can take over. We have some large and small equipment that needs to be moved to a new enclosure, too. We’ll use the tractor for the big stuff, but still need a couple extra hands to move some things too and from the forks. Weed eat, mow, tidy up, and maybe setup some panels and gates. Help keep our horses and volunteers safe in the jungle!
