The Borrowed Sling...bad timing.

We need our own sling.

We can make one.

A sling at a horse rescue is a necessity, really. A sling is also expensive so we don't have one. Thanks to Lori at another Georgia horse rescue, Sunkissed Acres, we had one for a few months. She had one donated and needed it for a downed foal but with great care the foal is up and strong. Lori loaned the sling to us and we really used it. Our 33 year old mare, Sweetie falls or lays down and need help getting up. Once up, she is off and moving just fine. It's the getting up she has a problem with.

Today, Lori called and needs to sling. Tomorrow I am leaving town for a week to visit my elderly relatives and I have volunteers taking care of the farm and checking on Sweetie. The first thing every morning about 6:30, I check to make sure she is up and the last thing at night, about 11 pm, I check on Sweetie. She does consume me sometimes but she is a wonderful horse that gave happiness to so many. She was Cohutta Highlanders Pony Club horse of the year. She evented at Kentucky Horse Park, competed in dressage, games, Eventing and trail riding. She taught so many children to ride and took care of each child who rode her, including my own child! Though Sweetie has never had her own foal, she has raised a few with much love. I am happy to honor her. I am honored to help her. Our wonderful volunteers feel the same way.

The timing is bad because we may need to sling and we don't have one available. We do have some improvised straps that would be used if she goes down or we can call the Milton Fire Dept because they have a donated sling as well. They have used it to save many horses. They are really horse heroes!

I am going to work on getting what we need to make a sling ourselves. The pictures are of the parts of the sling. I know someone knows where and how to make it for less than the $1500. is costs to buy. Put on your thinking caps, please, and help us get our own sling. It will be used well!

http://www.savethehorses.org/

Happy Endings!

Cortez started his life with someone who wanted to own a horse. As time went on, the owner moved and left Cortez behind. The neighbors cared for him for a while but no one felt Cortez was their horse. Somehow, Cortez injured his neck. He just missed his jugular vein which would have been fatal. That injury gave him a chance to have a new life when a caring neighbor called and asked us to take him.

We picked him up and brought him to the rescue farm. The veterinarian gave him a clean bill of health while we continued to treat his wound until it completely healed. Cortez gained weight, muscle and training to be ready for adoption. He also loved treats a little too much. He became nippy so no treats by hand were allowed to be given to Cortez. We didn't want to to create a 'monster', we wanted to make Cortez a great best friend for the right person. He was still given treats but they were placed in his feed bucket instead of fed by hand. He slowly was worked to do some saddle work and he took to it without a problem. He is very willing to please and is very trusting.

A lady who lost her horse 10 years ago felt ready to finally get herself a new friend. After spending some time with Cortez, she knew he was the one! Cortez left for his new home yesterday. He is with a family of trail riders. He is going to be happy and his new 'Mom' will be happy, too. All the volunteers and supporter of SaveTheHorses make stories like this happen. Thank you all so much.

Don't you love happy endings?

Little Horses On Their Way!

In the Photo, Strawberry Shortcake really shows her small size next to her miniature parent behind her.


The little Dwarf Miniature Horse along with her Momma Mare, are on a transport heading to Ft Worth, TX. They should arrive by Sunday and be comfortable in the stall to rest up. Then during the week, they will be picked up and brought here to Cumming, GA.

We had to make sure the transporter had extra wood to put between stall in the trailer. Little Strawberry Shortcake can slide or roll under a small space. She only weights about 30 pounds. With a little one like that, special alterations must be thought of ahead of time. She really could get hurt under another horses feet. We tried to think of everything to ensure her safety.

Thank you to all who have donated so far. I will update you all soon. Our costs are Vet for health certificates and coggins for Momma. Coggins are not required in the NW. That is $190. Transport from Oregon to Texas is $750. 00 and the lay over is $10.00 per day. That should only be a few days. Then the cost of transport here from Texas to Georgia is $500.
We will get surgery quotes soon.

Little Horses Needs Big Money!

Dwarfism is a genetic deformity that can

happen to miniature horses.

SaveTheHorses.org has 4 dwarfs and 2 miniature horses with dwarf characteristics. We have never had the opportunity to get a dwarf young enough to correct the twisted limbs they were born with. Though we have tried finding a veterinarian to do surgery, it was too late for all of our dwarfs. Our farrier, Marian Figley, is doing a wonderful job working on their little crooked hooves though.

We have been contacted buy the owner of a dwarf filly born in May and young enough to do surgery. I already contacted 2 surgeons willing to do it. It will cost a minimum of $2000. but we feel it is very worth the cost. There is one more major problem, this little filly, Strawberry Shortcake, is located near Eugene, Oregon and we are near Atlanta, GA.

We really need to raise money for surgery and transport. It is about 2700 miles and Strawberry Shortcake's miniature mom will come along and become part of SaveTheHorses.org as well.

We estimate we need $5000. to commit to help Strawberry Shortcake survive and thrive to a good and long life.

Please help if you can and please cross post and pass on for Starwberry Shortcake! Thank you.