Rescue Horse Fund
Donation protected
These horses need a little help and a lot of love! Meet Fawkes, Shawnee, Sassy, Ruby and Primrose, the first residents of Scissortail Hill.
This spring, members of the RWP family set out to find a new home for our barn family and the perfect property was located. While looking at the property we found that 5 horses living on the property were in very poor condition. These horses were offered to be part of the sale by the owner of the property. They were all starving. The ones in better shape had ribs and hips protruding, the worse off ones were little more than skeletons and ragged winter coats. Four of the five were unable to walk comfortably, they were in shoes that were months overdue to be reset, and had a couple had abscesses. Several had sores rubbed to the bone from tight halters left on too long. They had saddle sores because they were still being hired out for trail rides despite lacking any muscle or fat covering to support a saddle. The old thoroughbred gelding was suffering from chronic digestive problems. It had never been part of the plan to get so many new horses, especially ones that may never carry a rider again, but the decision was quickly made that those horses would be the next members of the RWP family.
As soon as we were able we started a slow refeeding program. Alfalfa, fresh costal, beet pulp, senior complete feed, alfalfa pellets, aloe juice, and various Smart Pak Supplements. Wormers, pain relievers, thrush treatment, antidiarrheals. Then came much needed farrier care, huge trims and new shoes for everyone. Next was to start to catch up on a decade of neglected care. Teeth floated, sheaths cleaned, vaccinations, coggins, and bloodwork. After that, iron supplements for anemia and antibiotics for sinus infections. As you can imagine, it all adds up.
The good news is each of them are thriving. They all have a new light in their eyes. They are starting to play with each other and be able to enjoy a good roll in the dirt, and everyone is now moving well. As far as they have come, they still have so far to go. Fawkes had gained about 150 pounds and will need to gain at least 200 more. They will need frequent farrier and vet visits, as well as lifetime treatment for ongoing problems caused by malnutrition. We would very much like to be able to provide them with care from an equine physical therapist to assess and treat some obvious old injuries. Not to mention bag after bag of feed, bale after bale of hay and alfalfa.
The costs so far have been substantial but their guardian angel has made sure that they have everything they need to ensure they have a happy, healthy, forever home. Providing these wonderful horses with everything they deserve will continue to be a sizable expense, but we know you will all come to love them as we have. Any help would be very much appreciated and money well spent. Thank you so much!
Meet the Horses
Fawkes - Fawkes is a 23 year old OTTB gelding. He was in the worst shape when we got them. By far the thinnest of the 5, he was estimated to be below a 1 on the body condition scale at our initial assessment. He has an obvious old knee injury and was having trouble getting around. He was quiet and withdrawn, but all that has changed. Fawkes is now gaining weight and enjoying his frequent feedings. He's not only walking more comfortably but he's trotting just for fun. Getting up and laying down are easier for him too. He's in charge and wants to make sure the othe ponies know it. He's a big old softy at heart and loves sharing snacks with Ruby. He is still battling minor bouts of stomach and digestive upset as his body adjusts but he's a little better everyday. We recently discovered that Fawkes is the long lost brother of RWP's very own Griffin! These two big handsome bays will spend their golden years together at Scissortail Hill teaching young riders how to groom and give treats.
Brothers! (Fawkes top, Griffin bottom)
Shawnee- Shawnee is a 19 year old Missouri Foxtrotter gelding. He was in slightly better shape than Fakwes but not by much. He was very stiff and didn't want to move. He looked a little lost. He is recovering well and as it turns out, has tons of personality. He is a little guy, but don't tell him that. He likes to think he tells Prim what to do but she just goes along with it because Shawnee is her security blanket. He's feeling more energetic and has been caught trotting, playing, and even loping. He tries to play tough isn't fooling anyone, and he LOVES his alfalfa. And cookies. And carrots.
Primrose- Primrose is an 11 year old Thoroughbred mare. We found Prim thin and frail and had mud matted in her hair, but was still friendly and inquisitive. This classic hunter beauty was badly lacking in groceries, muscle, and a few lady like manners. With a little love and a lot of feed she is starting to feel more like the princess she's sure she is. Just a couple of ground work lessons and she has been acting like a prim and proper lady although she's always game for a gallop around the pen. Watch for updates from Prim and Paulina, you may even see her in the hunter ring someday.
Sassy & Ruby- This is a dynamic duo of red roan Quarter mares. Sassy, 19, is Ruby's, 11, momma. These girls faired a bit better than the others. You could still count their ribs from across the pasture but the neglect was more evident in their hooves and level of discomfort. Neither would walk more than a few steps. Ruby had an abscessed hoof, and Sassy wouldn't straighten or put weight her hind leg. We were concerned that we might be too late to help these two avoid permanent lameness issues. Those fears were soon aleiviated. Only a couple weeks into recovery Sassy was so excited about dinner time that she was loping around her pen and jumping her hay pile.. And Ruby was moving well enough to stay out of her way. They have gained weight well and attention from the farrier and vet have done them a world of good. With continued care they may be able to make a full recovery. Sassy is just that, she's very sweet but likes to make her options known. Ruby is more subtle but is puppy dog sweet, she loves to be groomed and has shed out to the most beautiful frosty roan.
For more information contact us at [email redacted] or visit www.ScissortailHillEquestrian.com .
This spring, members of the RWP family set out to find a new home for our barn family and the perfect property was located. While looking at the property we found that 5 horses living on the property were in very poor condition. These horses were offered to be part of the sale by the owner of the property. They were all starving. The ones in better shape had ribs and hips protruding, the worse off ones were little more than skeletons and ragged winter coats. Four of the five were unable to walk comfortably, they were in shoes that were months overdue to be reset, and had a couple had abscesses. Several had sores rubbed to the bone from tight halters left on too long. They had saddle sores because they were still being hired out for trail rides despite lacking any muscle or fat covering to support a saddle. The old thoroughbred gelding was suffering from chronic digestive problems. It had never been part of the plan to get so many new horses, especially ones that may never carry a rider again, but the decision was quickly made that those horses would be the next members of the RWP family.
As soon as we were able we started a slow refeeding program. Alfalfa, fresh costal, beet pulp, senior complete feed, alfalfa pellets, aloe juice, and various Smart Pak Supplements. Wormers, pain relievers, thrush treatment, antidiarrheals. Then came much needed farrier care, huge trims and new shoes for everyone. Next was to start to catch up on a decade of neglected care. Teeth floated, sheaths cleaned, vaccinations, coggins, and bloodwork. After that, iron supplements for anemia and antibiotics for sinus infections. As you can imagine, it all adds up.
The good news is each of them are thriving. They all have a new light in their eyes. They are starting to play with each other and be able to enjoy a good roll in the dirt, and everyone is now moving well. As far as they have come, they still have so far to go. Fawkes had gained about 150 pounds and will need to gain at least 200 more. They will need frequent farrier and vet visits, as well as lifetime treatment for ongoing problems caused by malnutrition. We would very much like to be able to provide them with care from an equine physical therapist to assess and treat some obvious old injuries. Not to mention bag after bag of feed, bale after bale of hay and alfalfa.
The costs so far have been substantial but their guardian angel has made sure that they have everything they need to ensure they have a happy, healthy, forever home. Providing these wonderful horses with everything they deserve will continue to be a sizable expense, but we know you will all come to love them as we have. Any help would be very much appreciated and money well spent. Thank you so much!
Meet the Horses
Fawkes - Fawkes is a 23 year old OTTB gelding. He was in the worst shape when we got them. By far the thinnest of the 5, he was estimated to be below a 1 on the body condition scale at our initial assessment. He has an obvious old knee injury and was having trouble getting around. He was quiet and withdrawn, but all that has changed. Fawkes is now gaining weight and enjoying his frequent feedings. He's not only walking more comfortably but he's trotting just for fun. Getting up and laying down are easier for him too. He's in charge and wants to make sure the othe ponies know it. He's a big old softy at heart and loves sharing snacks with Ruby. He is still battling minor bouts of stomach and digestive upset as his body adjusts but he's a little better everyday. We recently discovered that Fawkes is the long lost brother of RWP's very own Griffin! These two big handsome bays will spend their golden years together at Scissortail Hill teaching young riders how to groom and give treats.
Brothers! (Fawkes top, Griffin bottom)
Shawnee- Shawnee is a 19 year old Missouri Foxtrotter gelding. He was in slightly better shape than Fakwes but not by much. He was very stiff and didn't want to move. He looked a little lost. He is recovering well and as it turns out, has tons of personality. He is a little guy, but don't tell him that. He likes to think he tells Prim what to do but she just goes along with it because Shawnee is her security blanket. He's feeling more energetic and has been caught trotting, playing, and even loping. He tries to play tough isn't fooling anyone, and he LOVES his alfalfa. And cookies. And carrots.
Primrose- Primrose is an 11 year old Thoroughbred mare. We found Prim thin and frail and had mud matted in her hair, but was still friendly and inquisitive. This classic hunter beauty was badly lacking in groceries, muscle, and a few lady like manners. With a little love and a lot of feed she is starting to feel more like the princess she's sure she is. Just a couple of ground work lessons and she has been acting like a prim and proper lady although she's always game for a gallop around the pen. Watch for updates from Prim and Paulina, you may even see her in the hunter ring someday.
Sassy & Ruby- This is a dynamic duo of red roan Quarter mares. Sassy, 19, is Ruby's, 11, momma. These girls faired a bit better than the others. You could still count their ribs from across the pasture but the neglect was more evident in their hooves and level of discomfort. Neither would walk more than a few steps. Ruby had an abscessed hoof, and Sassy wouldn't straighten or put weight her hind leg. We were concerned that we might be too late to help these two avoid permanent lameness issues. Those fears were soon aleiviated. Only a couple weeks into recovery Sassy was so excited about dinner time that she was loping around her pen and jumping her hay pile.. And Ruby was moving well enough to stay out of her way. They have gained weight well and attention from the farrier and vet have done them a world of good. With continued care they may be able to make a full recovery. Sassy is just that, she's very sweet but likes to make her options known. Ruby is more subtle but is puppy dog sweet, she loves to be groomed and has shed out to the most beautiful frosty roan.
For more information contact us at [email redacted] or visit www.ScissortailHillEquestrian.com .
Organizer
Nicci Larson
Organizer
Austin, TX
