No horse should leave Earth without knowing they were loved.
Ben
The one who started it all, what seems like a thousand years ago. One horse can change your life, leave hoofprints on your heart and live daily in your thoughts for all the rest of your life. I met Ben when I was 8. He was the first horse I ever had the privilege to ride. He became my first horse years later and the best friend I ever had. I lost Ben to an allergic reaction to a vaccine. I would like to say I recovered, but that would be untrue. I can safely say there never has been a horse greater than he, though. And that is the truth.
The one who started it all, what seems like a thousand years ago. One horse can change your life, leave hoofprints on your heart and live daily in your thoughts for all the rest of your life. I met Ben when I was 8. He was the first horse I ever had the privilege to ride. He became my first horse years later and the best friend I ever had. I lost Ben to an allergic reaction to a vaccine. I would like to say I recovered, but that would be untrue. I can safely say there never has been a horse greater than he, though. And that is the truth.
"Lonesome Dove" aka Rascal
This rescue is for you.
This rescue is for you.
LORRAINE BARRETT + BIG JOHN BENJAMIN
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of this mighty Percheron. The day came that he could no longer raise his great body. It happened on a sunny, warm day. I fed him his breakfast as he lay in the field. Comanche and Abraham were with us. The vet arrived and Ben never again tried to rise. I told him everything he was never told. I told him how awesome a horse he was, how he enabled an Amish family to survive, how he was needed and respected and how much he was deeply loved. He understood and listened intently. I told him of where he was going and how the rainbow bridge was where he would regain all his lost strength and vigor. He would gallop free again and his mighty heart would be happy. I told him that God would meet him as he entered Heaven and the words he would hear would be "Well done, my faithful servant" and God would (((HUG))) him.
The love I have for animals comes from my mother. You can safely say this woman who raised 7 children and held a marriage together for 40 yrs; who buried 3 sons and her husband; who worked to promote Amaryllis and help raise feed money for the horses even without fail throughout her last 2 yrs of battling cancer was a saint. Alas, she was not. She was just a woman predestined to single handedly alter the future for the horses and she succeeded. Amaryllis' successes are hers. Tens of thousands of people were educated along the journey. Hundreds of horses told they were extraordinary. Numerous farm animals hollered at the sound of her approaching Jeep.
Honor, integrity and an unfathomable strength carried my mom throughout her life. Dozens of beloved horses waiting at the Rainbow Bridge have carried her into Heaven. Once inside the Pearly Gates, the horses circled around her and asked the plan.
Behold, the horse nation on earth now has the most powerful ally in Heaven.
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of this mighty Percheron. The day came that he could no longer raise his great body. It happened on a sunny, warm day. I fed him his breakfast as he lay in the field. Comanche and Abraham were with us. The vet arrived and Ben never again tried to rise. I told him everything he was never told. I told him how awesome a horse he was, how he enabled an Amish family to survive, how he was needed and respected and how much he was deeply loved. He understood and listened intently. I told him of where he was going and how the rainbow bridge was where he would regain all his lost strength and vigor. He would gallop free again and his mighty heart would be happy. I told him that God would meet him as he entered Heaven and the words he would hear would be "Well done, my faithful servant" and God would (((HUG))) him.
The love I have for animals comes from my mother. You can safely say this woman who raised 7 children and held a marriage together for 40 yrs; who buried 3 sons and her husband; who worked to promote Amaryllis and help raise feed money for the horses even without fail throughout her last 2 yrs of battling cancer was a saint. Alas, she was not. She was just a woman predestined to single handedly alter the future for the horses and she succeeded. Amaryllis' successes are hers. Tens of thousands of people were educated along the journey. Hundreds of horses told they were extraordinary. Numerous farm animals hollered at the sound of her approaching Jeep.
Honor, integrity and an unfathomable strength carried my mom throughout her life. Dozens of beloved horses waiting at the Rainbow Bridge have carried her into Heaven. Once inside the Pearly Gates, the horses circled around her and asked the plan.
Behold, the horse nation on earth now has the most powerful ally in Heaven.
ARAMIS
You left the rescue and all it's inhabitants devastated.
Aramis, I told you a thousand times...you were too good for this world we live in. Apparently God thought so too.
You left the rescue and all it's inhabitants devastated.
Aramis, I told you a thousand times...you were too good for this world we live in. Apparently God thought so too.
A mighty pony trotted into Heaven.
A brave little man from the time he was born.
A trustworthy partner for near three decades.
A mentor to young rescued horses.
A confidant for troubled rescued horses.
A jovial friend for any horse needing an emotional lift.
A solid citizen for hundreds of children experiencing their first ride on a pony.
A big brother to Rachel.
My right hand.
Run in peace Little Boy Iroc. Give Clarke a howdy for me.
A brave little man from the time he was born.
A trustworthy partner for near three decades.
A mentor to young rescued horses.
A confidant for troubled rescued horses.
A jovial friend for any horse needing an emotional lift.
A solid citizen for hundreds of children experiencing their first ride on a pony.
A big brother to Rachel.
My right hand.
Run in peace Little Boy Iroc. Give Clarke a howdy for me.
Abraham was slaughter bound after spending a year chained to a fence in his backyard, fed by his deceased owner's fearful sister. Abraham is a Bashkir Curly or Appaloosa cross gelding pushing 30yrs old now. He arrived with a halter so imbedded in his face, it had to be carefully cut out. You can clearly see the mark he will bear forever. Abraham, we believe was someone's pet. His front legs are very splayed and he would not have been rideable from youth. Perhaps she saved him as a youngster but she aged herself too soon. We will never know. Abraham is tough, resilient and gentle. He is typical of backyard horses whose owners never consider the future for them. Please support your local, legit rescues and try to secure a permanent placement for your horse in the event of your demise. Without support and funding and on mortgaged land, your horse will not be safe.
Your horse has always and will always depend on you.
Update:
Abraham has journeyed on. He spent almost a decade with us.
Abraham was well into his 30s and was given a great gift from God as he was allowed to stroll onto the Rainbow Bridge while in his sleep....
He ate his warm, mashed senior grain dinner and later on went to his comfy sleeping spot and went to sleep. He awoke in Heaven.
The angels are hugging him now.
His old horse buddies are welcoming him.
Your horse has always and will always depend on you.
Update:
Abraham has journeyed on. He spent almost a decade with us.
Abraham was well into his 30s and was given a great gift from God as he was allowed to stroll onto the Rainbow Bridge while in his sleep....
He ate his warm, mashed senior grain dinner and later on went to his comfy sleeping spot and went to sleep. He awoke in Heaven.
The angels are hugging him now.
His old horse buddies are welcoming him.
Sargent was saved in 2007 and lived with us for a decade before crossing the rainbow bridge at well over 30yrs old. He was enormous and was a work horse for the Amish for most of his life. He had several battle wounds on him but the big issue he deals with is a recurring abscess in his front hoof.
When we saved him off a slaughter lot in Pennsylvania where he was actually waiting for the Tanners to pick him and a few others and 3 mules up to be skinned. I never really thought about mules skin and pony hide and cordovan leather before. Guess where it comes from?
He had a hoof that looked like a cannon ball was shot through the front of it. I am guessing this is why he was discarded after his season working for the overweight people camp. Then again, most seasonal camps discard through auction before fall. His ankles were enormous, arthritic filled joints and his eyelid did not meet top to bottom because an injury apparently never received veterinary care, so his eye would run day and night. He was covered in burdock. It took many days to work them out with mineral oil. He was about 200-250lbs underweight. He was scared. It has been our experience that the bigger horses are treated more roughly.
Sargent, though bore no malice about his past. He went on to become a sweet and kind, gentle soul ever thankful for a treat or a pat on the neck. Baby carrots were the greatest food on the planet in his voiced opinion! He enjoyed his pampering and blankets for comfort. We joke sometimes that our horses may have more clothes than Madonna....but to us, each of them is a celebrity in their own right. Comfort, peace, dignity and exceptional nutrition, care and understanding may not win over Father Time in the end, but our efforts give Mother Nature a run for her money and our horses know only comfort while they walk this earth. After all, most have suffered at the hands of cruel or ignorant owners prior to arrival here and are no longer youngsters.
Sargent will be heard as thunder as he gallops freely across the boundless pastoral Heavens. His sweet face, the way he would tilt it a little to the side and softly nicker for carrots.....this is embedded in my head. So abused, so grateful....and now so very missed.
When we saved him off a slaughter lot in Pennsylvania where he was actually waiting for the Tanners to pick him and a few others and 3 mules up to be skinned. I never really thought about mules skin and pony hide and cordovan leather before. Guess where it comes from?
He had a hoof that looked like a cannon ball was shot through the front of it. I am guessing this is why he was discarded after his season working for the overweight people camp. Then again, most seasonal camps discard through auction before fall. His ankles were enormous, arthritic filled joints and his eyelid did not meet top to bottom because an injury apparently never received veterinary care, so his eye would run day and night. He was covered in burdock. It took many days to work them out with mineral oil. He was about 200-250lbs underweight. He was scared. It has been our experience that the bigger horses are treated more roughly.
Sargent, though bore no malice about his past. He went on to become a sweet and kind, gentle soul ever thankful for a treat or a pat on the neck. Baby carrots were the greatest food on the planet in his voiced opinion! He enjoyed his pampering and blankets for comfort. We joke sometimes that our horses may have more clothes than Madonna....but to us, each of them is a celebrity in their own right. Comfort, peace, dignity and exceptional nutrition, care and understanding may not win over Father Time in the end, but our efforts give Mother Nature a run for her money and our horses know only comfort while they walk this earth. After all, most have suffered at the hands of cruel or ignorant owners prior to arrival here and are no longer youngsters.
Sargent will be heard as thunder as he gallops freely across the boundless pastoral Heavens. His sweet face, the way he would tilt it a little to the side and softly nicker for carrots.....this is embedded in my head. So abused, so grateful....and now so very missed.
Rex came in over 5 years ago as a teenaged, very unsound warmblood who was a show horse down south. He suffered from navicular in both front, EPM, horrifying thrush in all four hooves, canker and arthritic issues. He could not turn sideways properly and he had absolutely no ability to use his tail. When he first arrived, he could not even be turned out with other horses because his neurological issues caused him to fall. A year with a personal 24/7 turnout and stall with a small hill built his non-existent hind end muscle and gradually allowed him to loosen and use muscles that are very tight and stiff in horses forced to stand in stalls. Years later, he moved as freely as possible around his 8 acre paddocks and had a full time partner, Frisco who is a particularly playful horse. Flysheets in summer because his tail was useless to him and blankets of varying insulation in inclement weather as the EPM made him more sensitive, were necessary for his comfort. Special boots of differing brands (Soft Ride and Easy Boots) gave comfort and allowed him to play. Farrier care every 21-28 days became needed in the last couple years. Rex and Frisco enjoyed each other's company immensely and were essential to each other's health and happiness as they aged together. Two other sanctuary residents completed their mini herd and life was fun for all. Special medical care, farrier care and supplemental assistance could not eventually stop the pain for this special soul. He was surrounded by horses and humans who adored him as he gently crossed the Rainbow Bridge. All will continue to be devastated by his loss. Rex was not your average horse.
Please think before you 'inject' your horse to jump him some more. Please consider the damage you are doing to his great body simply for the thrill you seek. Rex survived all of it, beating the thrush, the EPM, the canker and the arthritis was completely manageable with the 24hr turnout and supplements....but he could not survive the bone crushing results of his jumping history. It is heartbreaking to be unable to fix the crippling damage done to so extraordinary a soul as Rex. I know he is running and bucking in Heaven completely sound and free and happy at last.....but God I will miss this horse every day of my life....it was an honor to have cared for him
Please think before you 'inject' your horse to jump him some more. Please consider the damage you are doing to his great body simply for the thrill you seek. Rex survived all of it, beating the thrush, the EPM, the canker and the arthritis was completely manageable with the 24hr turnout and supplements....but he could not survive the bone crushing results of his jumping history. It is heartbreaking to be unable to fix the crippling damage done to so extraordinary a soul as Rex. I know he is running and bucking in Heaven completely sound and free and happy at last.....but God I will miss this horse every day of my life....it was an honor to have cared for him
Sky. One of my very favorite Thoroughbreds ever. Sky had more life in his ear than many have in their entire bodies. He never tired, he never conceded defeat. Ever.
By the time I met him, he had been raced (Bright Ensign) and evented for many years, passed through several owners, starved at least once, escaped euthanasia twice, foundered and discarded at a crashing rescue. Destroyed hooves and ulcers, a knee that abscessed and began a battle with proud flesh due to not only it's location, but his inability to heal himself. He had a hip injury that caused him to alleviate weight on one leg, which in turn put more on his opposing leg. That leg battled lymphangitis regularly. Just a mess all the way around. Sky took radical and constant care and yet he seemed to smile the entire time. Sky fought every single ailment that beset him for the four years he lived with us. He never tired of any game and he bested the most impressive horses. Sky was only 21. What injuries and stress people heaped on him he bore gallantly. Look at the extreme horse sports for what they are....cruelty. Overtaxing a living being for the 'sport' of is ridiculous. We have seen and cared for beat up, crippled thrown away show jumpers, polo horses, racers and all manner of work horses. How is it that in this day and age so many equine events offer "open bars"? "Shopping"? Really? If so little attention is actually being paid to the horses, of course their care and consideration is going to be lacking. The injuries the horses must live with (if they are allowed to live) can be barbaric. People get away with it because the horses cannot speak.
I will climb off my soapbox now but I really cannot express what these horses go through, especially as they age. It is not fair. Or necessary.
Sky was the bravest horse I ever met. This horse left a devastating hole in the hearts of all who loved him....but especially me. He is one horse I would be honored to have a ride on when I meet him in Heaven.
I miss you Sky.
By the time I met him, he had been raced (Bright Ensign) and evented for many years, passed through several owners, starved at least once, escaped euthanasia twice, foundered and discarded at a crashing rescue. Destroyed hooves and ulcers, a knee that abscessed and began a battle with proud flesh due to not only it's location, but his inability to heal himself. He had a hip injury that caused him to alleviate weight on one leg, which in turn put more on his opposing leg. That leg battled lymphangitis regularly. Just a mess all the way around. Sky took radical and constant care and yet he seemed to smile the entire time. Sky fought every single ailment that beset him for the four years he lived with us. He never tired of any game and he bested the most impressive horses. Sky was only 21. What injuries and stress people heaped on him he bore gallantly. Look at the extreme horse sports for what they are....cruelty. Overtaxing a living being for the 'sport' of is ridiculous. We have seen and cared for beat up, crippled thrown away show jumpers, polo horses, racers and all manner of work horses. How is it that in this day and age so many equine events offer "open bars"? "Shopping"? Really? If so little attention is actually being paid to the horses, of course their care and consideration is going to be lacking. The injuries the horses must live with (if they are allowed to live) can be barbaric. People get away with it because the horses cannot speak.
I will climb off my soapbox now but I really cannot express what these horses go through, especially as they age. It is not fair. Or necessary.
Sky was the bravest horse I ever met. This horse left a devastating hole in the hearts of all who loved him....but especially me. He is one horse I would be honored to have a ride on when I meet him in Heaven.
I miss you Sky.
What mattered most to Frisco was family. His family. He made his friends his family and he stood by them without fail. He chose his friends and it was almost always the ones who needed a friend the most. Then he would protect them, play with them and enhance their lives. It all began with a blind Appaloosa.
About a decade and a half ago I hired a transporter to bring home this unusual 20 yr old gelding from a direct to slaughter feed lot. I found him unusual because what the front line workers there were saying about his behavior didn't align with what I was seeing in the photos in his eyes. I was right.
I cannot possibly do my job alone and right from the start, Frisco stepped up and into a right hand position as major assistant with training, comforting and general babysitting of the rescued horses with bigger issues I could not solve.
Once, a 2 yr old fairly feral youngster once took off after me in the middle of a big field, having had enough of humans after being run through several auctions, then a feedlot, then a long trailering journey. Frisco came flying up out of nowhere between us and shoved me out of the way and set the youngster straight and the rules.
Needless the say, Frisco worked every day making the world of the horses within his life better. I seek to do the same.
Several humans adored him along his earthbound journey.
The utter exasperated pain in losing an icon such as Frisco is indescribable.
Frisco's heart found a home with Amaryllis and he enjoyed every bit of his time here. His crossing was gentle and quiet, following a feast of his favorite foods. He was told what a difference he made on this earth and how many cherished him. He was finally told he needed to take the lead, as was his custom, and save us good spots because we will be coming along before too long.
His spirit galloped skyward.
We pray and have no doubt that as he arrived in Heaven, his buddies who have journeyed before him came galloping at him and covered him in pure love...
About a decade and a half ago I hired a transporter to bring home this unusual 20 yr old gelding from a direct to slaughter feed lot. I found him unusual because what the front line workers there were saying about his behavior didn't align with what I was seeing in the photos in his eyes. I was right.
I cannot possibly do my job alone and right from the start, Frisco stepped up and into a right hand position as major assistant with training, comforting and general babysitting of the rescued horses with bigger issues I could not solve.
Once, a 2 yr old fairly feral youngster once took off after me in the middle of a big field, having had enough of humans after being run through several auctions, then a feedlot, then a long trailering journey. Frisco came flying up out of nowhere between us and shoved me out of the way and set the youngster straight and the rules.
Needless the say, Frisco worked every day making the world of the horses within his life better. I seek to do the same.
Several humans adored him along his earthbound journey.
The utter exasperated pain in losing an icon such as Frisco is indescribable.
Frisco's heart found a home with Amaryllis and he enjoyed every bit of his time here. His crossing was gentle and quiet, following a feast of his favorite foods. He was told what a difference he made on this earth and how many cherished him. He was finally told he needed to take the lead, as was his custom, and save us good spots because we will be coming along before too long.
His spirit galloped skyward.
We pray and have no doubt that as he arrived in Heaven, his buddies who have journeyed before him came galloping at him and covered him in pure love...
Dreamcatcher
Dreamcatcher. born in 1992 a Medicine Hat Paint. This gentleman arrived with EPM, Lymes, Navicular, Foundered, Extreme back soreness and very tender footed. Dreamcatcher immediately won the hearts of every person he came in contact with and one particular horse whom he lived with for years, 24/7 and roamed freely on the entire sanctuary. Dreamcatcher fought and won every single disease he dealt with. EPM twice. He always won.
If I had an emotion support horse, it was Dreamcatcher, or Chief as I called him.
When he was diagnosed with Lymphoma, part of me was sure he would win this battle, too. We made a stand against it and he fought bravely. His companion horse stayed closer than ever and even went off his feed as Dreamcatcher began to weaken. I told him when we neared the end of his journey, "I believe when I was born, God put it in my heart to create a sanctuary for horses, because He knew you would needing it one day"
There are not words to describe a loss such as Chief. The tears go unceasingly.
When we could no longer keep pain away, I held his face as the veterinarian gently administered the sedative, and told him to please tell God, when he sees Him, 'thank you for sending you to me because you are an irreplaceable gift'
Dreamcatcher, my Chief, quietly was crossed over.
His best friend had to be tranquilized. It was a horrific loss.
The vibration one soul can cause when they leave your heart in ruins as they journey on, is incredible. This horse was and will be grieved for a very long time.
If I had an emotion support horse, it was Dreamcatcher, or Chief as I called him.
When he was diagnosed with Lymphoma, part of me was sure he would win this battle, too. We made a stand against it and he fought bravely. His companion horse stayed closer than ever and even went off his feed as Dreamcatcher began to weaken. I told him when we neared the end of his journey, "I believe when I was born, God put it in my heart to create a sanctuary for horses, because He knew you would needing it one day"
There are not words to describe a loss such as Chief. The tears go unceasingly.
When we could no longer keep pain away, I held his face as the veterinarian gently administered the sedative, and told him to please tell God, when he sees Him, 'thank you for sending you to me because you are an irreplaceable gift'
Dreamcatcher, my Chief, quietly was crossed over.
His best friend had to be tranquilized. It was a horrific loss.
The vibration one soul can cause when they leave your heart in ruins as they journey on, is incredible. This horse was and will be grieved for a very long time.
Storm's Over
aka
Stormy
Race name Irish Bee. Stormy left us just weeks before turning 29. A veritable force of nature and endless play. He gave you zero personal space and every visitor to the sanctuary can attest to that. He loved life and his herd mates and his humans. You could not be down around him because he always held that "there's always a rainbow of hope after each storm" mentality. Stormy was as tough as nails and not the fragile type of currently bred Thoroughbreds. Bold Ruler ran strong in him. He could think his way through anything. It was an honor to care for him and be cared for by him. In his passing, he left behind the greatest gift, to share his philosophy with everyone. Storm's Over will go on....
aka
Stormy
Race name Irish Bee. Stormy left us just weeks before turning 29. A veritable force of nature and endless play. He gave you zero personal space and every visitor to the sanctuary can attest to that. He loved life and his herd mates and his humans. You could not be down around him because he always held that "there's always a rainbow of hope after each storm" mentality. Stormy was as tough as nails and not the fragile type of currently bred Thoroughbreds. Bold Ruler ran strong in him. He could think his way through anything. It was an honor to care for him and be cared for by him. In his passing, he left behind the greatest gift, to share his philosophy with everyone. Storm's Over will go on....
Captain Jack Sparrow
I loved this horse the moment I met him. He'd been through Hell and back. He'd given up. Bay helped get through to him. We would have lost him. The world can do that to you. It can take you beyond where you have any desire to hold on.
Jack took a very long time to recover but became one of the greatest loves of many a mare. Jack got to live a very long and comfortable life in physical and mental health and happiness and I wish more horses could be gifted this. Saying goodbye to Jack almost broke me. That is all I will share about this. There is another who loved him dearly and stayed by his side every moment. I will attach her letter to him...by the way FIVE HORSES WERE RESCUED FROM SLAUGHTER IN HONOR OF THIS HORSE because one could never take his place...I love you Jack
I loved this horse the moment I met him. He'd been through Hell and back. He'd given up. Bay helped get through to him. We would have lost him. The world can do that to you. It can take you beyond where you have any desire to hold on.
Jack took a very long time to recover but became one of the greatest loves of many a mare. Jack got to live a very long and comfortable life in physical and mental health and happiness and I wish more horses could be gifted this. Saying goodbye to Jack almost broke me. That is all I will share about this. There is another who loved him dearly and stayed by his side every moment. I will attach her letter to him...by the way FIVE HORSES WERE RESCUED FROM SLAUGHTER IN HONOR OF THIS HORSE because one could never take his place...I love you Jack
