*Update Jan 26th!

The Herd is doing great! They’ve all gained adequate weight, and are enjoying the mild winter.

We are fundraising currently for real fencing to be installed this Summer! Along with a walk in shelter and emergency medical funds!

Everyone is so very thankful for all the donations that continue to come in and support these beautiful horses.

*Update Nov 7th!

We’ve settled into life here at the farm with Sonny, Easter, Curley Sue, Hero and Sophia. We will be taking care of them as a herd throughout the winter thanks to all of our donations through this platform and farmers market. The whole herd has gotten their teeth done (the ones with teeth left) and Curley Sue is on her new diet of soaked grains and hay pellets and has improved so much! On the 4th we had our lovely farrier out and they all got clipped and the cracks and splits are gone now! Today I did a sponser a winter blanket drive and all 5 have brand new blankets coming their way. We are still fundraising for senior feed, fencing equipment, a shelter for them, and emergency vet savings. Thank you all so very much none of this would be possible without you.

*Update Oct 11

A happy update!

Marley had found his forever home just 15 minutes down the street! His new owner was here today and we had our vet give him his vaccines and he got his much needed dental work done.

Our vet then visited Sonny and Easter, they are both under weight which we knew and she was happy with their new food regime. They will get their teeth done this coming week and Hero and Sophia the following week! This will help them all chew and process their food better helping them gain weight and not be in pain.

This week I secured 80 bales of hay which is stored for the winter. We are getting donated a 1k round bale in the dead of winter for the herd as well. Through donations we have their dental care, next hoof appointment and quite a bit for their grains and such.

We’ve had no luck rehoming Sonny and Easter but with all the support from everyone we feel secure going into the winter. We have access to 6 different fields here in Swansonville and I’m planning on asking a few other neighbors as well.

All of this is thanks to everyone that has donated and shared this story. Thank you

*Update! Thank you everyone so much for donating! We’ve moved Hero, Sonny, Sophia and Easter over to the farm and they are gaining weight and so happy. Sophia is now under the care of a loving new owner and will stay here on the farm with the boys. We are still looking for homes for Easter, Marley and Curly.

We’ve raised some funds and have bought 400+ pounds of grain for the seniors, I have a reserve for the upcoming farrier visits and are talking to some local vets about check ups.

We’ve received some donations not on here so I’m lowering the total need alittle and will be accepting donations at the Port Townsend Farmers Market this weekend again! Make a donation get some flowers as a gift.

*

On Wednesday August 13 one of my dearest friends passed away. Carl Lindsey was known for his love of life, exuberance and his deep love for horses. He got his first horse at age 12 and has never been without horses since. Through good times and bad, he held on to his horses above all because of his love for them, and because he was half horse himself. He had communication with horses we could only admire, but could never duplicate.

I grew up with him as a neighbor and part of our family. For many years he’d come over just about every day to check on his horses, hang out with my parents or just lounge in our hammock. He was always booming with happiness, hooping and hollering, running through the field with his herd, driving around in his Chevy trucks, or behind the controls of an earth moving machine. He created beautiful fields and ponds for his horses.

Carl has inspired a love for life and horses (and trucks) in me that has shaped who I am in a huge way.

Carl’s life partner is now faced with caring for 6 horses. I will be taking 2 of them into my care to live mostly on the farm but also to move around the neighborhood so Susan will be able to visit the closest thing to Carl. She cannot afford to keep them and is sick about it, but she wants to find them wonderful homes with wonderful people.

We aim to re-home the 4 to suitable homes but are trying to collect enough supplies to last the winter if we have to.

The Swansonville herd has traveled from field to field throughout the neighborhood for two decades, being taken care of as a community. We know how deeply Carl was loved and we know how deeply the horse community loves. Please share what you can, repost this where you can and spread the word about finding new homes for Carls family.

List of needs

Rain Shelter $3000

Grain Till Spring $500

Hooves Next 2 rounds $560

Proper Fencing Supplies $2,000

Emergency Vet Savings $5,000