Dancer's Recovery

UPDATE:  Dancer has made the most AMAZING progress, thanks to all of YOU! Lauren has located a great pasture near her home, and is planning to move her on April 1st! That’s much sooner than we thought she could be transported. She’s also now strong enough to have her teeth and hooves treated, so the veterinarian is coming out next Friday.

We are just so excited to see how far she’s come. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. Horses are such intelligent, sensitive creatures and I just know she understands how much love and concern has been lavished on her by so many people she has never met. Thank you, thank you, for making her recovery possible. Thank you for the financial support, but also for the overwhelming encouragement, love, kindness and thoughtful deeds. They have been the healing balm on our bruised hearts.


Update: Wow! We can't believe how much she's improved in just eight days. Amazing what love and care will do. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for your help and generosity. My heart is full!

Dancer needs our help. This elderly horse with a heart of gold was recently taken from a horrific situation where she experienced severe neglect. Unfortunately, we can’t divulge the details that led to her suffering and eventual rescue, but Dancer’s story has greatly impacted my family, especially my daughter Lauren. 

You see, Dancer was her beloved horse. From the time she was eight years old she had put her heart and soul into caring for her. She grew up with Dancer, sharing secrets and dreams and learning many life lessons from the gentle, intelligent horse.

When Lauren was grown, we moved into town. Lauren planned to board her horse, but then she met a nice family who wanted Dancer as a therapy horse for their son. It seemed like the ideal situation, so she agreed to place her on their small farm. It wasn’t far, and she visited Dancer often. 

But things soon turned ugly. The man became aggressive. He threatened Lauren, and ordered her off his property. She was confused, worried, and heartbroken. She kept trying to see Dancer, but the man frightened her, and she finally had to admit defeat. But she never, ever, stopped thinking about her.

Then Lauren heard on the news that a tragic crime had occurred on the farm, and that a horse was removed and taken to a rescue. She rushed to see if it was her beloved Dancer. It was.

And Lauren just fell apart.  

Dancer was skeletal, her coat was dull and patchy, she swayed on her feet, and wouldn’t lift her head. She was depressed, broken, and barely alive. But when she saw Lauren, a light came into her eyes. She knew she was finally safe.

The last few weeks have been an emotional roller-coaster for Lauren. She makes the long drive to see her every day, bringing hay and feed and supplies. She spends hours brushing Dancer and caring for her. And it’s working. Dancer has gained weight and she’s growing stronger and brighter every day. She now holds her head high, and trots over to see Lauren when she arrives.  

Lauren plans to take Dancer as soon as she well enough to move, and she will be able to afford her board and care. But her initial recovery is expensive. Lauren refuses to ask for help, but her family and friends know she needs it. And after all she’s been through, Dancer deserves it.

Please consider a donation to help Dancer’s recovery. $10 will buy a bale of hay. $25 will purchase the special feed she needs. Gifts of $50 or more will help with essential veterinary care. Every donation is appreciated.

We are estimating the cost of nurturing her back to health to be about $3,500. She needs a special diet, blood work, dental work and hoof trimming, as well as bedding while she's too frail to wear a blanket. Any amount raised in excess of her immediate needs will be used to continue her care once she is home.

This horse has been through so much, and if I could share the confidential details of her horrific situation, you would agree that no horse should suffer the way she has.

Thank you for helping! We can’t undo the trauma she has been through, but together, we can give Dancer the life she deserves.