Horses
Josie
Josie was rescued as a 4-month-old filly from Texas, in November of 2021, with a "healed" broken leg. When the team saw her video we knew she needed help or else she would be sent to slaughter. Along with a healed broken leg Josie came in with strangles and digestive issues. A year later we took update radiographs and the leg is healing in a way that gives her a wonderful prognosis for life. Amazingly, she does not let her leg limit her, and she loves to buck and run around the indoor arena. She is a sweet soul and growing into such a lovely horse.
Opal
Opal, who was rescued from Texas, in November of 2021, is believed to be in her early to mid teens. She has been used as broodmare, meaning she had many foals (babies), her entire life which resulted in her struggling to maintain a proper weight. She was extremely skinny and nervous upon intake. Now she is learning to trust humans. She has had multiple dental work sessions done to help her chew and breakdown her food better.
Cat Woman
Cat Woman, a 5 month-old mini foal in November of 2021 was rescued alongside her mother, Opal. Upon intake, Cat Woman was sick and struggled to breathe; but with the care of our team, she has blossomed into an energetic foal who loves to run, buck, and rear. She is quite sassy, and over the years has healed her weak stifles (knees.) We hope Cat Woman will participate in human healing at senior living facilities in the future!
Catori
Catori, who we believe is in her teens, was rescued from a local neglect case in August of 2021. She spent months without proper food, water, and care after an owner passing. Alongside law enforcement the Sanctuary was able to rescue and rehabilitate this sweet girl. At intake, she was fearful and timid of people but with a little love she has transformed into a sweet girl.
Catori often spends time being groomed by volunteers and she loves the attention. She holds space during our human healing sessions as well.
kanali
Kanali was rescued alongside Catori. After her owner passed she spent 6 months slowly experiencing starvation. Upon intake she was extremely emaciated and she spent four loving days with us. Unfortunately, her neglect had taken an immense toll on her body and she was unable to recover. Her time with us was short, but her impact was indescribable. Our annual fundraiser “Kanali’s Cause” was named after the bright light she brought to us all.
Merla
Merla was rescued from an auction in Iowa in October of 2022. She was unable to fully straighten her leg and had cushings. She was such an affectionate mare and absolutely loved her food. Unfortunately, in quarantine she developed an infection in her throat that prevented her from fully getting oxygen to her lungs. She was able to feel love and support from the Sanctuary before her passing. We affectionately coined the term “Merla’s Mark” because she left a mark on all of us.
Cassia
Cassia was rescued from an auction in Iowa in October of 2022. She had a severe injury to her hide end, concentrated to her reproductive area. We weren’t sure what the extent of the damage was, but we knew she needed help. She also had extremely overgrown hooves and multiple injuries due to being an Amish cart horse. She is one of the sweetest horses we have brought to the Sanctuary, making her a great fit for our Human Healing Pillar.
She had to undergo a surgery to repair damaged tissue in her reproductive area due to a terrible foaling, which led to her being dumped at the auction. Cassia will remain on many different supportive supplements based on her injuries and her previously difficult life.
Cassia is also the first to get her feed and loves her time spent with volutneers.
Mack
Mack was rescued from a kill-pen in Wisconsin, where he was emaciated and under immense stress. He has marks on his body from where the harness was attached during his working days. He ws nervous around people and it took months of him learning to trust people before he could have his hooves trimmed. Thankfully, he was able to live a wonderful life after being adopted by 2 of our supporters!
Chief
Chief is a young colt who was rescued from an auction where he was at risk of going to slaughter. At intake he battled lice and a respiratory infection. Since then, he has been adopted by Steph where he has transformed into a very cool guy!
Hank
Hank was rescued as 5 month-old stud colt from an auction in Texas. He was thin and nervous upon intake. Due to being in an auction he acquired strangles, a nasty respiratory infection, that took 3 months to clear. Along with digestive issues this guy had a rough start to life. He has blossomed into one of the sweetest and calmest horse and he is now adopted by one of our team members!
Bodhi
In November of 2022 Bodhi was rescued as a 7 month old stud colt from an auction in Iowa. Upon intake Bodhi was not handleable, he was very afraid of people. Along with his emotional neglect, Bodhi was severely neglected physically. During his quarantine process the Sanctuary Team removed roughly 200 ticks from Bodhi, he was also covered in lice and needed to be dewormed multiple times.
During his time in quarantie Bodhi learned that people were safe and that he could be haltered and treated by the veterinarian. Bodhi then spent the next year in training at the Sanctuary so he could become adoptable.
In January of 2024 Bodhi was adopted to his forever family!