I met Rambo about seven years ago or so. He had recently been acquired by the MN Hooved Animal Organization. He was being cared for at Freedom Stables in Maple Lake. I had recently started working there on weekends helping out with the barn work and care of the horses. Rambo was a scrawny, scared-looking little boy. He had an end stall near one of the doors so that he could easily look outside. I learned his story from Kevin and Laura Holen the owners of Freedom Stable.
It was not a nice story and it sickened me to learn how a person could so carelessly mistreat their horses. His prior owner kept him in a dark stall all the time. He never went outside. The stall was filthy and who knows how long he had been standing in his own waste. His hooves were so long they were curling up like elves shoes. He was malnourished and did not trust any human. He was so small and underdeveloped. I don’t remember all the details, but he was rescued along with several other abused horses.
When my husband first met Rambo it was love at first sight. We knew we could not adopt him because I already had a herd of horses at home and did not have room for more at the time. Whenever my husband would come to Freedom he would always stop to say “Hello” to Rambo. At that time, Rambo was still learning to trust humans. He was very timid, but coming along. He was being fed every day and turned out to a wonderful lush pasture to play with other geldings.
Well, the day came when someone adopted Rambo. My husband was crushed. He knew that Rambo was going to a good home, but still wanted him to be with us. The person that adopted him was a boarder at the barn and had a couple of other horses at home that Rambo could be with. Sue (Rambo’s new owner) would often trailer Rambo over to the barn to say “Hello” and I was always glad to see him.
It turned out one day that Sue sadly had to give Rambo a new home. She knew that my husband and I loved Rambo. The MN Hooved Animal Organization has ownership contracts for life, but Sue thought we could transfer ownership to me. When I told my husband that Rambo needed a new home he said he wanted him to live with us. I also explained to Eric that no matter what we did or where we went, Rambo would be with us forever. Eric was so excited. I also told Eric that Rambo would be different than our two mares. He had trust issues and didn’t have that puppy dog mentality as our horses did. I knew it would be a long road, but it would be a good experience for us all.
When Rambo moved in, he was so far from what he is now. I know Sue had done a lot of work with Rambo. He trusted her, but with a new family, he had to start all over again. This shows you how badly he was treated before he was rescued. He would never come to me when I came to the pasture. In fact, he would race to the other side of the pasture to get away. He was a nightmare to catch. He absolutely did not like the farrier and for the first couple years I had to use a tranquilizer to have his hooves done. He did trust me to pick up and clean and mess with his feet, but when that farrier came he would tremble and sweat and be combative. I have two excellent farriers. They were/are so patient and so kind with him. Rambo now can stand and have his hooves done without tranquilizer.
I did not start ground training with Rambo right away. I let him be a horse. The time I spent with him was feeding, grooming, talking and just hanging out in the pasture with him for two whole years. To be honest, I was worried about what would happen when I started training him. I wanted him to really trust me when I started.
His training and round pen work was a dream. He was so eager to learn and wanted to please. I cannot express how hard he tried and how easy it was to train him. And he moves so beautifully. He and I have learned so much together. I would not give him up for all the money in the world. It has been two years since I have been riding him. I trust him with my life. I know that no horse is perfect, but he is darn close. He is so willing and such a good boy. I trusted him so much that after a year, I put my son Justin on him. Rambo has always been good with him.
This year Rambo is “teaching” my husband to ride. Eric has ridden a few times and Rambo is doing a good job with him. I am thinking that Eric will be good enough mid-summer so that Rambo can show him the trails at Maria State Park. We will see.
Thank you, Drew for rescuing such a beautiful soul and allowing him to be in our lives.
The Bundy Family
Stacy, Eric, Justin and Jordan
Rambo and Gigi
The before picture (seen at top left) of Cecil was taken on the very day of his arrival at the Rescue. Essentially, he was nothing more than skin and bones. The after picture (seen at top right) was taken at his new adoptive home where they are absolutely thrilled with him. All one has to do is compare his “before” and “after” picture to see what successful adoption looks like.
The horse pictured to the left is the “Blue Horse” for which our farm is named.
I have met many great horses through the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation. Each has taught me something new. Snaps holds a special place at our farm… never has one horse been so intensely annoying and severely lovable at the same time.
Snaps came into the program foundered so badly she could hardly move. With much farrier attention and lots of TLC today she is sound. At 27 years old this year she continues to look better than most half her age. Snaps exists to keep us all humble — and to make us laugh when she feels we need it.
Thank you MHARF and all the volunteers who made it possible for this little Appaloosa to come into our lives.
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2006-01-02 18:41:282016-06-11 19:26:49The Blue Horse
We were fortunate enough to receive an update on Buster Brown from his new family, the Sackett’s of South Dakota. Buster Brown is pictured with Cowboy Dillion seated proudly in the saddle and Cowboy John standing with the lead. (In case you hadn’t guessed, Cowgirl Mom is taking the picture.)
This was Buster’s first show (August, 2003) with the Sackett family, where he competed in the Lead-Line class. While we’re not sure how he placed, for this little pony to go from “Rescued Mini” to “Show Mini”, he and his family have earned a blue ribbon in our book!
We look forward to hearing more from the Sackett’s little champion!
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2005-08-04 18:53:462016-06-11 19:15:37Buster Brown’s First Show
She was weak as a kitten with her back bone, withers, ribs and hip bones protruding from her skin. There was no flesh to spare and you could see the neck bones through her hide.
They didn’t want her any more – didn’t know why she was so thin! Shame on them! Chloe is 20+ years of age and of Appaloosa/Thoroughbred breeding (she touts Secretariat blood lines). Her problems were quite simple. No one had looked at her teeth in a coons-age and deworming was nonexistent; she also had a severe uterine infection.
After routine veterinary work was performed including teeth floating, worming and antibiotics to clear up the infection Chloe (as seen by the after photo) has taken on a tremendous amount of weight along with a marvelous hair coat.
Chloe was adopted and is now serving her community as part of the Sherburne Mounted Patrol!
Hurray for Chloe!
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2004-08-02 18:49:432016-06-11 19:19:12Chloe Bounces Back
Sydney came to Sleepy Hollow Farm in the fall of 1999. He had been given to the Mn Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation because he was not wanted. Still a stallion and full of attitude, little did I know that he would be where he is today.
Because he had such a bad attitude (and that the MHARF has a policy about breeding), Sydney was castrated. He began his training in 2000. Since he had such a busy, quick mind it was hard to put him to task so his handler (Carol Lindeman) taught him tricks. This worked and Sydney took to it like a duck to water. His harness training was really a breeze. Carol and I showed him in 2001 and really had a fun season with the MPtHA. He received year end MPtHA awards of:
Champion Color Mini A; Res Champion Halter; Res Champion Driving.
Ruby Kennedy came on board to show Sydney in the Open classes in 2002. And what a splendid year we had – even holding our own at the Pinto World Show in Tulsa, where Sydney placed in every class entered.
Our 2002 year ended with:
Champion Color Mini A; Res Champion Halter Mini A; Res Champion Pleasure Driving Mini A; Hi-Point Overall Mini A, and – standing 3rd in the Nation for Halter Mini A for the 2002 show season.
Now coming 8 yrs of age Sydney hasn’t slowed down a bit and neither have Ruby and I. Sydney will again compete on the MN Pinto show circuit – and, will travel to the Pinto World show!
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2004-06-02 18:51:472016-06-11 19:18:04Update on Sydney
The Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue is a nonprofit organization that rescues hooved animals that have been abandoned, neglected, abused or improperly cared for. This is a story of how our family acquired two such horses through the MHARF. I have been riding, training, and showing my horse doing dressage for many years. This past winter I boarded him out to have the use of an indoor arena so I could continue training throughout the winter. In the February rain and ice storm my horse slipped on the ice and went lame. I tried several good vets and even the U of M to treat the lameness to no avail. He was still lame after two months of evaluation and treatment. By mid April I knew I would not be showing him this season, if ever.
Meanwhile, Pat Holm of the MHARF, the owner of the barn where I had boarded, was following my plight in sympathy. I had not considered getting another horse to replace my beloved partner of ten years. When a horse was put up for adoption and brought to her barn, she thought we would make a good match. He was a beauty, ½ Arab, ½ Saddlebred and in the past, trained for dressage. He’d been sent to MHARF because the owner had to give him up. She wanted him to go to a home where someone would work him and love him.
Pat Holm is like a “cupid” and excels in finding people to adopt horses and ponies from the rescue, beautifully matching horses and ponies to humans. She knew our family had recently lost our 31-year-old horse. The horse had been my grandson’s baby-sitter and we wanted a pony to replace him. I had had my hopes dashed when my horse went lame, and about the same time the ½ Arab was donated, a pony became available. Pat knew, with her expertise, that these animals would be taken into our hearts, and that they were right for our family.
Well, we adopted both the horse and pony and it was a successful match from the start. I now had a horse to ride, and began retraining him. Soon afterward, I began showing him and won all my classes. We named the pony Smiley, (because of an accident that caused a scar on his lip giving him the appearance of smiling).
I worked Smiley for my four year-old grandson, and the pony is turning out GREAT! He is gentle, pretty, and safe. We showed him in a pony show recently, getting a ribbon in all classes.
The conclusion to this long story is: the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue is operated to rescue animals and adopt them into suitable, approved new homes at an affordable price. You too can adopt a wonderful animal companion for your child, a show horse for you, or just a good friend.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Lindeman.
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2004-05-02 18:47:502016-06-11 19:21:17Testimonial by Carol Lindeman
Rambo
/in Testimonials /by MHARFIt was not a nice story and it sickened me to learn how a person could so carelessly mistreat their horses. His prior owner kept him in a dark stall all the time. He never went outside. The stall was filthy and who knows how long he had been standing in his own waste. His hooves were so long they were curling up like elves shoes. He was malnourished and did not trust any human. He was so small and underdeveloped. I don’t remember all the details, but he was rescued along with several other abused horses.
When my husband first met Rambo it was love at first sight. We knew we could not adopt him because I already had a herd of horses at home and did not have room for more at the time. Whenever my husband would come to Freedom he would always stop to say “Hello” to Rambo. At that time, Rambo was still learning to trust humans. He was very timid, but coming along. He was being fed every day and turned out to a wonderful lush pasture to play with other geldings.
Well, the day came when someone adopted Rambo. My husband was crushed. He knew that Rambo was going to a good home, but still wanted him to be with us. The person that adopted him was a boarder at the barn and had a couple of other horses at home that Rambo could be with. Sue (Rambo’s new owner) would often trailer Rambo over to the barn to say “Hello” and I was always glad to see him.
When Rambo moved in, he was so far from what he is now. I know Sue had done a lot of work with Rambo. He trusted her, but with a new family, he had to start all over again. This shows you how badly he was treated before he was rescued. He would never come to me when I came to the pasture. In fact, he would race to the other side of the pasture to get away. He was a nightmare to catch. He absolutely did not like the farrier and for the first couple years I had to use a tranquilizer to have his hooves done. He did trust me to pick up and clean and mess with his feet, but when that farrier came he would tremble and sweat and be combative. I have two excellent farriers. They were/are so patient and so kind with him. Rambo now can stand and have his hooves done without tranquilizer.
I did not start ground training with Rambo right away. I let him be a horse. The time I spent with him was feeding, grooming, talking and just hanging out in the pasture with him for two whole years. To be honest, I was worried about what would happen when I started training him. I wanted him to really trust me when I started.
His training and round pen work was a dream. He was so eager to learn and wanted to please. I cannot express how hard he tried and how easy it was to train him. And he moves so beautifully. He and I have learned so much together. I would not give him up for all the money in the world. It has been two years since I have been riding him. I trust him with my life. I know that no horse is perfect, but he is darn close. He is so willing and such a good boy. I trusted him so much that after a year, I put my son Justin on him. Rambo has always been good with him.
This year Rambo is “teaching” my husband to ride. Eric has ridden a few times and Rambo is doing a good job with him. I am thinking that Eric will be good enough mid-summer so that Rambo can show him the trails at Maria State Park. We will see.
Thank you, Drew for rescuing such a beautiful soul and allowing him to be in our lives.
The Bundy Family
Stacy, Eric, Justin and Jordan
Rambo and Gigi
Cecil
/in Testimonials /by MHARFThe Blue Horse
/in Testimonials /by MHARFI have met many great horses through the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation. Each has taught me something new. Snaps holds a special place at our farm… never has one horse been so intensely annoying and severely lovable at the same time.
Snaps came into the program foundered so badly she could hardly move. With much farrier attention and lots of TLC today she is sound. At 27 years old this year she continues to look better than most half her age. Snaps exists to keep us all humble — and to make us laugh when she feels we need it.
Thank you MHARF and all the volunteers who made it possible for this little Appaloosa to come into our lives.
Buster Brown’s First Show
/in Testimonials /by MHARFThis was Buster’s first show (August, 2003) with the Sackett family, where he competed in the Lead-Line class. While we’re not sure how he placed, for this little pony to go from “Rescued Mini” to “Show Mini”, he and his family have earned a blue ribbon in our book!
We look forward to hearing more from the Sackett’s little champion!
Chloe Bounces Back
/in Testimonials /by MHARFShe was weak as a kitten with her back bone, withers, ribs and hip bones protruding from her skin. There was no flesh to spare and you could see the neck bones through her hide.
They didn’t want her any more – didn’t know why she was so thin! Shame on them! Chloe is 20+ years of age and of Appaloosa/Thoroughbred breeding (she touts Secretariat blood lines). Her problems were quite simple. No one had looked at her teeth in a coons-age and deworming was nonexistent; she also had a severe uterine infection.
After routine veterinary work was performed including teeth floating, worming and antibiotics to clear up the infection Chloe (as seen by the after photo) has taken on a tremendous amount of weight along with a marvelous hair coat.
Chloe was adopted and is now serving her community as part of the Sherburne Mounted Patrol!
Hurray for Chloe!
Update on Sydney
/in Testimonials /by MHARFSydney came to Sleepy Hollow Farm in the fall of 1999. He had been given to the Mn Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation because he was not wanted. Still a stallion and full of attitude, little did I know that he would be where he is today.
Champion Color Mini A; Res Champion Halter; Res Champion Driving.
Ruby Kennedy came on board to show Sydney in the Open classes in 2002. And what a splendid year we had – even holding our own at the Pinto World Show in Tulsa, where Sydney placed in every class entered.
Our 2002 year ended with:
Champion Color Mini A; Res Champion Halter Mini A; Res Champion Pleasure Driving Mini A; Hi-Point Overall Mini A, and – standing 3rd in the Nation for Halter Mini A for the 2002 show season.
Now coming 8 yrs of age Sydney hasn’t slowed down a bit and neither have Ruby and I. Sydney will again compete on the MN Pinto show circuit – and, will travel to the Pinto World show!
Testimonial by Carol Lindeman
/in Testimonials /by MHARFMeanwhile, Pat Holm of the MHARF, the owner of the barn where I had boarded, was following my plight in sympathy. I had not considered getting another horse to replace my beloved partner of ten years. When a horse was put up for adoption and brought to her barn, she thought we would make a good match. He was a beauty, ½ Arab, ½ Saddlebred and in the past, trained for dressage. He’d been sent to MHARF because the owner had to give him up. She wanted him to go to a home where someone would work him and love him.
Well, we adopted both the horse and pony and it was a successful match from the start. I now had a horse to ride, and began retraining him. Soon afterward, I began showing him and won all my classes. We named the pony Smiley, (because of an accident that caused a scar on his lip giving him the appearance of smiling).
I worked Smiley for my four year-old grandson, and the pony is turning out GREAT! He is gentle, pretty, and safe. We showed him in a pony show recently, getting a ribbon in all classes.
The conclusion to this long story is: the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue is operated to rescue animals and adopt them into suitable, approved new homes at an affordable price. You too can adopt a wonderful animal companion for your child, a show horse for you, or just a good friend.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Lindeman.