Rescue & Sanctuary

Apache is our completely blind Appaloosa, who requires thoughtfulness, compassion, gentleness and more care than our other horses, but he gives more love than any horse I have ever met. He taught me to trust the process of building a nonprofit and trusting God to bring in the connections, funds and volunteers.  As summer approaches and the days grow unbearably hot in Alabama, Apache’s turn out schedule changes from day turn out to night turn out. Each time we bring in a horse for rehabilitation we attempt to see if the new horse would be an appropriate “Apache Buddy” and some have proven to be Apache worthy until they were rehabilitated. Gibson, our 2021 OTTB rescue, was wonderful with Apache until he remembered that he is a young, spirited racehorse. (Gibson has his own herd now). 

It is not a good thing to be a natural prey animal who finds safety in a herd, and to be turned out alone at night, particularly if you are blind. There was one horse in our four years with Apache, who was an excellent turn out buddy, and we found him this week! Ironically, his name is Cowboy. 

Cowboy was a lesson horse at the barn where Equine Paths opened in 2018. If you knew Cowboy there you will remember that sweet face, big blue eyes with eyeliner, and that silly tongue. Cowboy has some dental issues that allow his tongue to hang out of his mouth. That never stopped his ability as a lesson horse! He taught so many children to ride and could be trusted with anyone. He is a perfect gentleman.  Since leaving the lesson barn, Cowboy has gone down significantly. 

Equine Paths took him in as an owner surrender this week and we’ve had specialists put together a nutrition and refeeding plan. We are hopeful that we can restore him to his best condition by December, but that journey will be long and expensive.  We are committed to doing whatever it takes to help  recover, and I cannot wait to see if he and Apache remember each other after Cowboy's quarantine is over.   

Purina provided $200.00 in coupons for feed. (Purina Senior) and I have some leftover supplements from Gibson to get Cowboy started. He will need more supplements for 6-8 months.  His needs are listed below, and I am sharing his amazon  list.  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/23DTY03JNQSYB?ref_=wl_share 

I do not believe in shaming or blaming. You just cannot function productively that way in life. No one benefits. We are blessed that his owner trusted us to enough to surrender him to us. The owner did the right thing. Often even horse people won’t ask for help because they fear shaming. I believe “A friend loves at all times”  and I can’t wait until Cowboy and Apache can be friends again!