Our Rescue Horses
"Blanco"
Blanco is the only non-Paso here at New Beginnings. He is 23 years old, and was rescued by us eight years ago. He is a 1/2 Arabian and 1/2 Quarter Horse gelding who has become a fixture here at Rancho de La Dama.
He has the unique ability to adapt to the skill level of the rider that is on him. Beginning riders are carried with extra special care and sure footedness...experienced riders are tested!! He will go over or through obstacles rather than go around them, and LOVES to play in the water. This past year he was taught to play horse soccer and has gotten quite adept at the sport despite his old age. (We don't bother to tell him his age!...he wouldn't believe us.)
Blanco will live out his days spending time giving riding lessons, playing horse soccer with the other horses at the Ranch, or going on trail rides...something he loves to do. He will always be available to take some young boy or girl on their first trail ride.
Blanco will live out his days spending time giving riding lessons, playing horse soccer with the other horses at the Ranch, or going on trail rides...something he loves to do. He will always be available to take some young boy or girl on their first trail ride.
"Clarita" & "Danza"
Our newest rescue horses arrived from Northern Colorado on August 5, 2010
Clarita is a 22 year old Paso Fino mare and Danza is an 18 year old Paso Fino mare. These two "girls" have been together nearly their entire life, so we have decided that when they are ready for adoption they will have to go to their new home as a pair. Both these girls are sweethearts and as gentle as you will find.
Clarita had laminitis in both front feet, and Danza was foundered. Working with Dan Baker, our farrier, we immediately began treatments for their conditions. Clarita recovered from her laminitis and was sound for riding within 8 weeks.
Danza was a much more difficult case. We initially put her in corrective shoes with pads and frog supports using screws to attach both. She had a great deal of difficulty even walking and showed very little improvement after putting her in the corrective shoes and taking the pressure off her soles. A week later, after continuing to show little or no improvement, we took her to the vet's and had x-rays taken and blood work done. The vet confirmed good positioning of the pads and supports, but after discussing our options and considering her lack of improvement, I decided to have the shoes removed and her feet placed in casts. For two weeks we saw very little improvement in her condition and found it necessary to continue heavy doses of pain medication. It was during the third week that she began to show signs of improvement and was actually walking with a little more certainty. At that point we began reducing her pain medication, and within a week we were able to totally eliminate her pain medication. Last week, (November 5th, 2010), we had her casts removed, her feet trimmed, and new shoes screwed on. She is recovering in leaps and bounds and has even begun to get quite demanding. It will be another 3-4 months before we will be able to put her under saddle, but in the mean time she is getting light exercise an a daily basis and is continuing to improve.
After 3 months here at the rescue, the cost to get these two mares on the road to recover has been in excess of $1,500, but well worth every penny when you look at them now. Donations in any amount will help offset the rehabilitation expense for these two girls and will be greatly appreciated by not only us at the rescue, but Clarita and Danza as well.
