FEATURED HORSES
REHABILITATION – THOR’S CONTINUING JOURNEY
Many of our horses come to us in terrible physical condition. But the most difficult horses to rescue are the ones that have been physically abused by people. Rehabilitation of these horses can be a lifetime project. An emaciated horse can gain body weight in months with proper feeding, but achieving emotional health has no timetable and may be a journey never completed. Abused horses are so fearful they try everything to avoid contact with human beings; they run, buck, and shy away at all costs, some even to the point of being defensively predatory.
Please help others like Thor who say,”Please fence me In.”
Thor, who came to us in November of 2011, is such a horse. In his first six months, he knocked down our vet inside a stall, had to be tranquilized to have a simple trim or exam, and bolted free more times than we can remember. It would be June of 2012 before he could be safely led in and out of the arena‑‑and then only by our Executive Director and with the barn doors closed! Because the sound of Velcro terrified him, it was not until September of 2012, following months of a daily ritual opening and closing Velcro outside his stall, that Thor would accept a fly mask. It would be summer of 2013 before he could stay somewhat calm when fly spray was applied‑‑one spray, calm down, next time two sprays, calm down . . .
He has yet to wear a blanket but now tolerates a wash cloth on his back! Trusting only the few people he knows well, Thor will voluntarily approach them in the field; yet even with them he occasionally startles and bolts. Progress for sure, with a long way yet to travel.Thor is a magnificent horse with a huge heart, a giant baritone nicker, and a desire to please. But the fear instilled in him by people runs agonizingly deep. Patience, gentleness, regular contact with people who love him, a predictable routine, and the comfort of his herd have helped Thor walk, if haltingly, down his long path to emotional well-being.
This is what Sanctuary (and good fences) means for Thor.
BUDDY, CAN YOU SPARE A BALE?—BRYANT’S CAUSE
Monthly pledges through the Buy-A-Bale program provide Sanctuary for unwanted horses, Service to our community, and Support for Oregon’s horse owners. Become One in a Thousand, an Equamore Friend, by contributing monthly to provide regular horse care at Equamore Sanctuary outside of Ashland, Oregon.
The Buy-A-Bale and Horse Rescue Team programs offer horse lovers to help save one of the estimated 100,000 unwanted horses, like Bryant, who would remain without alternatives for their care if it were not for organizations like Equamore Foundation and the Oregon Hay Bank.
