I adopted Saraswatie from MHARF in December of 2007. Saraswatie, or “Swank” as I call her, is a chestnut OTTB mare. I went to the rescue to find a horse that I could show in dressage. I have a 22-year-old Arab whose showing days are over and although I could have looked for a more “conventional” dressage horse, I wanted to adopt a horse from the rescue.
I remember seeing Swank for the first time on that day in January when it was about 20 degrees below zero. A dark, shaggy horse came towards me and I thought, “this isn’t the horse from the website.” I rode her briefly and a couple weeks later was back to take her home. She has been such a valuable addition to my life. She has taught me so much and tries so hard for me.
In 2009 we went to our first recognized show. She won every class and didn’t score below 64%. We even won a benefit class and came home with a gorgeous clock! In 2010 we continued to show in recognized shows and she continues to amaze me.
However, she isn’t just a show horse for me. She loves my old Arab and has become a great pasturemate to him. She has even taken over as my “trail horse” and together we rode the trails in Medora, ND, this past fall. She is no pushover, though! She demands respect, but she is also more than willing to try her heart out for me. We have good days (and some not so good) as we continue our dressage journey together, but she has and will continue to teach me more about not only horses, but also about life for many years to come. I can’t thank MHARF enough!
– Pam Harris
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2011-05-02 17:15:032016-06-11 20:46:18Swank’s (aka Saraswatie) New Career
My mom and I decided we needed to get a friend for our cat, Poufy, who had been alone since we lost his cat friend, Arnie. Although neither Poufy nor Arnie had come from a rescue, they were both “rescues” as they were strays who adopted us. In November of 2010, I saw on the MHARF website a picture of kitties that had been abandoned at a gas station. The one in the front was a brown tabby that looked right at me and said, “I want to live with you.” I emailed Drew and a few days later I adopted that kitty. After a couple of days Mom (who is 88) decided his name should be “Snoops” since he is such a snoop and is into everything.
Every day when I come home from work Mom tells me everything Snoops did (got into) throughout the day. Mom loves to work jigsaw puzzles and so does Snoops. The problem is that he steals the pieces, so when she finishes the puzzle it may be missing a piece and/or the piece has teeth marks in it! Snoops’ nickname is Little G – he gallops up the stairs, down the stairs, across the room and then up the stairs again! He is a delight and so much fun.
A few months ago I sent an email to Drew with some photos of Snoops and I mentioned I wouldn’t keep bothering her with photos – her response was, “Thank you so much for the update; it’s never a bother to know that an animal is so appreciated, after once being thrown away!”.
Thank you to Drew and all involved for the efforts you all do to help the animals that so need help. Snoops doesn’t have hooves but I’m glad he was on the MHARF website.
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2011-05-02 17:12:372016-06-11 20:47:02Snoops the Cat Enjoys a Good Puzzle
Just wanted to update you on how Confetti is doing and send you her Christmas pictures. She was auditioning for Santa’s team!
I am very pleased with her attitude and progress. She has learned to trust me and if something different happens, Confetti doesn’t have a melt down but waits for me to tell her what to do. With the cold winter and not having an indoor ring she has had lots of time off. But has not reverted to not liking the girth tightened or getting a hump in her back and refusing to move. When I get on and cluck, confetti just walks off.
Another big hurdle that has been passed is her first hoof trim. No tranquilizer, just patience and understanding on the part of Ron, my farrier. At first Confetti was very mistrustful of a strange man, but he won her over. Her behavior was not ideal, but that wasn’t expected and could have been worse.
As you may remember I have 2 Shetland ponies, mom and ‘baby’; age 41 and 38. In early November Coco started active lethargic. When she didn’t snap out of it I had the vet out. With her age and a heart murmur she has had problems with severe cold bothering her in the past. Unfortunately it was cancer. So we said goodbye Thanksgiving weekend.
It has always been one of my greatest fears that if I lost one pony the other would follow of a broken heart. Sunny was distraught at the loss of his mother. He would roam the pastures searching for Coco and crying.
Thank God for Confetti. She would go to him and give him her company to distract him from his grief. I do believe that with out her I would have lost Sunny also.
PB
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2010-11-28 18:45:372016-06-11 19:22:29Update on Confetti
Just wanted to send an updated photo of Aiko (Unbridled Bob) He is doing very well, and is a very happy boy, he is also by far the best horse in the world (not that I am biased or anything!)
– Stacey
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2010-09-02 17:43:302016-06-11 20:44:36Update on Aiko – FKA Unbridled Bob
When Sherman came to the Hooved Animal Rescue, the poor fellow was miserable. With ribs clearly showing through his dingy hair, you could almost feel his hunger. His head hung low, his eyelids sagged – as you can see in the “before” picture, he was clearly not a happy horse.
Now look at him! He’s alert, full of vim and vigor, and his coat is absolutely gorgeous! You’d almost think we had switched horses on you. (Well, we didn’t.)
It always delights us how, with the proper care and attention, a horse can turn around and look as magnificent as Sherman does today!
Hello to all the MHARF people. So last spring, after I lost my event horse (who was also a Rescue) to severe colic, Drew pointed me in the direction of a horse named Guy. I took him in, not expecting much, and by this fall we were leading the pack in our last Beginner Novice horse trial (although a knockdown in Stadium put us in third place overall).
I have been so amazed by the progress this horse has made, and by the complete turnaround in his personality, that I wanted to be able to share with the world what a difference we can make in the lives of these animals, if we are only willing to try. The thing that has truly touched me about Guy is the absolute turnaround in his outlook on life – where he came to me dull, disinterested, and aloof, he now looks for treats and rubs and scratches, and gets the ‘I’m so proud’ look on his face when we put in a clear jumping round, and looks for me over the fenceline when I walk by. You all know this about Rescues – you’ve worked with one or many. To the right is a picture from yesterday’s schooling session on the cross country course with Guy. He LOVED it!!! (And so did I!) .
Here is the link to the video I’ve created about this special horse – please pass it along to anybody you think would like to see this message, or anybody who wants to make a difference in the life of a horse (and have that horse make a difference in your life, too!). Thanks to all of you!
– Rachel Walker, Walker Farms
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2010-05-02 17:41:432016-06-11 20:44:54GUY’S STORY
Hello MHARF! I thought you’d like an update on Gemini (now Buddy). He has been a great horse.
My family adopted Buddy in December 2008 as a companion (or “buddy”) horse for my other horse. I never thought that I would enjoy riding him so much! I was unable to start working with him in the summer of 2009 due to a wrist surgery, but this April, I was determined to get him ready to show in the Isanti County Fair. I had a lady help me by coming to my house for lessons, and we progressed great. I found out that Buddy has great turns and stops.
The fair was his first show with me (and the first time in a trailer and off our property since getting him). We weren’t quite ready; we did games but mostly trotted, and he was quite stubborn about bringing his head down, opening his mouth from the bit, and other small things. However, for his first time away from home, it was a lot of fun. My friend rode my other horse at the fair, and they were stalled by each other (Buddy also has “separation issues”..but getting better!) He was not scared from anything, and if you remember, he is blind in his right eye, but it hasn’t bothered him at all. I also showed him in the Sunday WSCA open show of the fair in the 17 & Under walk/trot games—we got reserve high point! I also put a poster on his stall at the fair about MHARF and many people stopped to read it and comment. They were very interested in his story and his blind eye.
I have taken it quite slow, but I want to make sure I get things right. I am a freshman in college now, so I don’t get to ride as much, but when I come home I ride him and he keeps progressing. I attached some pictures from the fair, and as you can see, he is wearing a tie-down and a cavesson, but doesn’t need either now. He gives his head nicely when I ask and doesn’t open his mouth much. I always have ridden him in a simple eggbutt snaffle with a copper middle piece, which he goes great in.
When I come home from college, I know I can just go and get on him without really any problems. He has never bucked or reared. We are still working on the separation—he always needs to know where my other horse is, so that is the “problem” now (not a bad one). I hope to ride even more next summer, and perhaps try some new riding styles with him for fun (maybe dressage!). I also enjoy riding him bareback. He and my other horse are in a wonderful pasture (about 2 ½ acres?) and they get it all to themselves, along with hay and a bit of grain. He is a lot of fun, and I always get comments on how “cute” he is! Thanks again for a great horse.
– Anna Smegal
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2010-05-02 17:41:012016-06-11 20:51:05Update on Buddy – FKA Gemini
Hi, I am Maggie (aka Buttons), and while I may not be a horse, I believe I’m just as important and should share my story. When people think of MHARF they don’t often think of anything other than horses, well maybe a donkey or mule too. I was a rescue too, and I’m definitely not a horse – although I enjoy treats and hay just as much!
I’m an American Fuzzy Lop bunny and I am very grateful that Drew doesn’t think of MHARF as just about horses! Drew found me at a Critter Exchange in an extremely small cage that was very dirty – more than you’d even expect a bachelor pad to be. When she got me home she found out that I had maggots eating away at the tissue on my little bottom, most likely because of my living conditions. Drew got the maggots off and cleaned me up. My foster family, who had three rabbits of their own, agreed to take me in as a foster – and I managed to hop my way into their heart and they adopted me. While my name is officially Maggie, Buttons is my nickname since I am cute as a button! Just see my photo – wouldn’t you agree?
When I first came to my new home and started to hop around, very slowly, I would run into things – I never had any room to hop you see, so didn’t know how to judge distances. It didn’t take me long to learn though and I began doing “Bunny 500” laps around my enclosure (which was a circular dog exercise pen) with my ears flopping in the breeze. Since I was so malnourished, I had to eat lots of hay, veggies, and timothy pellets before I could be spayed.
Unfortunately the vet reported that I had uterine cancer, which is very common in female bunnies that are not spayed. They also determined that due to my living conditions I had scarred tear ducts so would need my face washed on a regular basis, and after a few very basic tests it was agreed that I was also deaf. My eyesight was good, however, and my hopping ability was tremendous!
I didn’t let my medical issues stop me from enjoying my new life. I attend Rabbit Hoppy Hour (a photo of a hoppy hour is to the right) where I can socialize with other bunnies, and I have even taught my family all about rabbit agility. I am proud to say that I was top of my class at the Golden Valley Humane Society’s bunny agility classes. I am a Yellow Band bunny and I do walk nicely on a leash with a harness, and will be moving on to the next level of agility soon.
Just think of me as a tiny, floppy eared horse flying over tiny stadium jumps! I just love it! So even us non-horse rescues can go on to accomplish great things! While I may not be a champion of a breed registry – I am definitely a champion in the eyes of my family.
– Maggie Buttons (typed by her humans Todd & Tammie, as they have opposable thumbs)
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.png00MHARFhttps://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mainlogo_blue02.pngMHARF2010-05-02 17:39:002016-06-11 20:51:19Maggie the Bunny
Swank’s (aka Saraswatie) New Career
I adopted Saraswatie from MHARF in December of 2007. Saraswatie, or “Swank” as I call her, is a chestnut OTTB mare. I went to the rescue to find a horse that I could show in dressage. I have a 22-year-old Arab whose showing days are over and although I could have looked for a more “conventional” dressage horse, I wanted to adopt a horse from the rescue.
I remember seeing Swank for the first time on that day in January when it was about 20 degrees below zero. A dark, shaggy horse came towards me and I thought, “this isn’t the horse from the website.” I rode her briefly and a couple weeks later was back to take her home. She has been such a valuable addition to my life. She has taught me so much and tries so hard for me.
In 2009 we went to our first recognized show. She won every class and didn’t score below 64%. We even won a benefit class and came home with a gorgeous clock! In 2010 we continued to show in recognized shows and she continues to amaze me.
However, she isn’t just a show horse for me. She loves my old Arab and has become a great pasturemate to him. She has even taken over as my “trail horse” and together we rode the trails in Medora, ND, this past fall. She is no pushover, though! She demands respect, but she is also more than willing to try her heart out for me. We have good days (and some not so good) as we continue our dressage journey together, but she has and will continue to teach me more about not only horses, but also about life for many years to come. I can’t thank MHARF enough!
– Pam Harris
Snoops the Cat Enjoys a Good Puzzle
Every day when I come home from work Mom tells me everything Snoops did (got into) throughout the day. Mom loves to work jigsaw puzzles and so does Snoops. The problem is that he steals the pieces, so when she finishes the puzzle it may be missing a piece and/or the piece has teeth marks in it! Snoops’ nickname is Little G – he gallops up the stairs, down the stairs, across the room and then up the stairs again! He is a delight and so much fun.
A few months ago I sent an email to Drew with some photos of Snoops and I mentioned I wouldn’t keep bothering her with photos – her response was, “Thank you so much for the update; it’s never a bother to know that an animal is so appreciated, after once being thrown away!”.
Thank you to Drew and all involved for the efforts you all do to help the animals that so need help. Snoops doesn’t have hooves but I’m glad he was on the MHARF website.
Update on Confetti
Just wanted to update you on how Confetti is doing and send you her Christmas pictures. She was auditioning for Santa’s team!
Another big hurdle that has been passed is her first hoof trim. No tranquilizer, just patience and understanding on the part of Ron, my farrier. At first Confetti was very mistrustful of a strange man, but he won her over. Her behavior was not ideal, but that wasn’t expected and could have been worse.
As you may remember I have 2 Shetland ponies, mom and ‘baby’; age 41 and 38. In early November Coco started active lethargic. When she didn’t snap out of it I had the vet out. With her age and a heart murmur she has had problems with severe cold bothering her in the past. Unfortunately it was cancer. So we said goodbye Thanksgiving weekend.
It has always been one of my greatest fears that if I lost one pony the other would follow of a broken heart. Sunny was distraught at the loss of his mother. He would roam the pastures searching for Coco and crying.
Thank God for Confetti. She would go to him and give him her company to distract him from his grief. I do believe that with out her I would have lost Sunny also.
PB
Update on Aiko – FKA Unbridled Bob
Just wanted to send an updated photo of Aiko (Unbridled Bob) He is doing very well, and is a very happy boy, he is also by far the best horse in the world (not that I am biased or anything!)
– Stacey
Sherman’s Transformation
When Sherman came to the Hooved Animal Rescue, the poor fellow was miserable. With ribs clearly showing through his dingy hair, you could almost feel his hunger. His head hung low, his eyelids sagged – as you can see in the “before” picture, he was clearly not a happy horse.
It always delights us how, with the proper care and attention, a horse can turn around and look as magnificent as Sherman does today!
GUY’S STORY
Hello to all the MHARF people. So last spring, after I lost my event horse (who was also a Rescue) to severe colic, Drew pointed me in the direction of a horse named Guy. I took him in, not expecting much, and by this fall we were leading the pack in our last Beginner Novice horse trial (although a knockdown in Stadium put us in third place overall).
Here is the link to the video I’ve created about this special horse – please pass it along to anybody you think would like to see this message, or anybody who wants to make a difference in the life of a horse (and have that horse make a difference in your life, too!). Thanks to all of you!
– Rachel Walker, Walker Farms
Update on Buddy – FKA Gemini
Hello MHARF! I thought you’d like an update on Gemini (now Buddy). He has been a great horse.
The fair was his first show with me (and the first time in a trailer and off our property since getting him). We weren’t quite ready; we did games but mostly trotted, and he was quite stubborn about bringing his head down, opening his mouth from the bit, and other small things. However, for his first time away from home, it was a lot of fun. My friend rode my other horse at the fair, and they were stalled by each other (Buddy also has “separation issues”..but getting better!) He was not scared from anything, and if you remember, he is blind in his right eye, but it hasn’t bothered him at all. I also showed him in the Sunday WSCA open show of the fair in the 17 & Under walk/trot games—we got reserve high point! I also put a poster on his stall at the fair about MHARF and many people stopped to read it and comment. They were very interested in his story and his blind eye.
When I come home from college, I know I can just go and get on him without really any problems. He has never bucked or reared. We are still working on the separation—he always needs to know where my other horse is, so that is the “problem” now (not a bad one). I hope to ride even more next summer, and perhaps try some new riding styles with him for fun (maybe dressage!). I also enjoy riding him bareback. He and my other horse are in a wonderful pasture (about 2 ½ acres?) and they get it all to themselves, along with hay and a bit of grain. He is a lot of fun, and I always get comments on how “cute” he is! Thanks again for a great horse.
– Anna Smegal
Maggie the Bunny
Hi, I am Maggie (aka Buttons), and while I may not be a horse, I believe I’m just as important and should share my story. When people think of MHARF they don’t often think of anything other than horses, well maybe a donkey or mule too. I was a rescue too, and I’m definitely not a horse – although I enjoy treats and hay just as much!
When I first came to my new home and started to hop around, very slowly, I would run into things – I never had any room to hop you see, so didn’t know how to judge distances. It didn’t take me long to learn though and I began doing “Bunny 500” laps around my enclosure (which was a circular dog exercise pen) with my ears flopping in the breeze. Since I was so malnourished, I had to eat lots of hay, veggies, and timothy pellets before I could be spayed.
I didn’t let my medical issues stop me from enjoying my new life. I attend Rabbit Hoppy Hour (a photo of a hoppy hour is to the right) where I can socialize with other bunnies, and I have even taught my family all about rabbit agility. I am proud to say that I was top of my class at the Golden Valley Humane Society’s bunny agility classes. I am a Yellow Band bunny and I do walk nicely on a leash with a harness, and will be moving on to the next level of agility soon.
Just think of me as a tiny, floppy eared horse flying over tiny stadium jumps! I just love it! So even us non-horse rescues can go on to accomplish great things! While I may not be a champion of a breed registry – I am definitely a champion in the eyes of my family.
– Maggie Buttons (typed by her humans Todd & Tammie, as they have opposable thumbs)