Retired Border Patrol Horses share in being honored

At a special Memorial Day service held at Fort Hunter Liggett, May 22, 2013 - retired Border Patrol horses Max and Red were special guests.  On this day, those who have served our country were honored and among those serving are many brave, trained, equine and canine soldiers.  Max and Red were among those who have served their country well by patrolling the Arizona border with Mexico.

Coming Soon! New Design to our Web Site

Hello followers and friends!  When you come to our website next week (May 30th!)  you'll see a new look! We hope you like it and we look forward to your feedback.

Come Join in Continuing Education at Redwings

Champ, our 33 year-old Arab, found abandoned in San Miguel back in 2009, has been benefiting greatly from the body work he receives from one of our loyal volunteers.  But not only has Champ benefited, but our volunteers as well - because of the dedication of Jeannette Burrows CMT.


Jeannette came to Redwings to work on one of our severely damaged horses, and during that visit, something touched her and she began making it a priority to come to Redwings to teach her skills to our volunteers.  She has been coming to Redwings for over a year and advancing the skills of the volunteers.  More skilled volunteers - more horses literally - "touched."

Not long ago, Champ just "hung out like an old guy" - today he runs around with his herd mates like a youngster thanks to Jeannette and our wonderful volunteers.

Look for the next scheduled Volunteer Class - coming soon!

Meet our new arrival and family member - Pippin!

Timing is everything.  Redwings has had a long and very happy time period with our rescued horses staying healthy - and because we are committed to first and foremost caring for the animals who are at the sanctuary, and because we rely solely on donations,we have not been able to rescue any new equines recently.  But one day - a few months back - one of our ponies was fostered.  And two horses had also found special loving foster homes.

All of our animals are teachers but our ponies - because of their size - are particularly popular with our little visitors.  And those little visitors will one day be the adults who will be the hope for other animals in need.  Fate brought Pippin to us at a moment when we could accept this little 16 year old - blind gelding.

Pippin's future, like so many horses we hear about almost daily, was uncertain.  He was no longer useful as a child's mount as his eyes had deteriorated and the owner could not afford to keep him and keep her usable horses as well.  It appeared that Pippin would be euthanized but then the veterinarian, knowing that this was one special pony - appealed to HEET (Horse Emergency Evacuation Team) in San Luis Obispo County.  HEET contacted Redwings and we were very pleased to be able to find a special place for little Pippin to spend the rest of his life in safety and care.

There are so many horses and ponies out there just like Pippin - on the edge of survival.  While we cannot take every horse or pony, we can advocate for far less breeding in this country where there are thousands of unwanted horses who starve to death or suffer other unimaginable abuse and neglect.  Please share with those who "think" they want to breed their backyard mare or not geld their colt, that there are many horses needing homes, and encourage them to pursue saving a rescued equine rather than adding one more innocent animal to the population that could face an uncertain future.

Pebble Beach Table Affair

Redwings was honored to attend another year at Table Affair in Pebble Beach on April 18. The event was held at The Lodge at Pebble Beach Conference Center where there were 40 different table designs, a silent action, and light refreshments, sponsored by the Pebble Beach Riding & Trails Association and the Pebble Beach Company. All donations went to Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.

 

 

 Below are photos of Redwings' Table that took the effort and creativity of a few very dedicated volunteers and staff.  In addition to our 36" round table setting, we also had an informational table with photos, biographies of all 100 of our horses, and brochures.

 

 

 

Horseman's Reunion, Paso Robles- Join Us!!!!

 

 

 

 

Horseman's Reunion is being held at the Paso Robles Fair Grounds.

This special event is going from April 15 through Saturday April 20th.

  Redwings has  a booth there.

Please come by and say hi, show your support, or even volunteer at the booth.

One of our dedicated volunteers, Jennifer at the Horseman's Reunion Redwings' booth.

Calling ALL Volunteers!!! ALL Volunteers Needed!

Become a Volunteer!!!

You can help in many ways.  We love volunteers to help with general horse care at the Lockwood Ranch, giving tours and helping with activities, but there are other opportunities held off the ranch just around the corner:

April 15-20 Horseman’s Reunion, Paso Robles: help staff our booth and get free access to the Reunion event

April 18 Table, Affaire, Pebble Beach: we need help designing our table and staffing at Pebble Beach that day

April 20 Fort Hunter Liggett, Month of the Military Child, 10-2pm on base at Bradley Park in housing: come help with the ponies as we encourage military children to have the oppor- tunity to meet and pet some of the Redwings family.

June 7-9 Horse Expo, Sacramento: help set-up and staff the booth in Sacramento and enjoy exhibits and presentations during breaks

July 17-21 Salinas, Rodeo: help staff and set-up our booth at the rodeo– and have the opportunity to enjoy some rodeo activities during break times

Please sign up if you have interest in helping the horses of Redwings!  

Call: (831)-386-0135

 

Easter Extravaganza 2013





Visitors and volunteers patiently await the egg hunt for the little ones ages 0-4.  In the background you can see the hay ride and mules pulling up for another tour through the ranch.

 

The youngsters and their parents kick through the hay and dig for eggs.

One of the huge hits of the day: a wagon ride pulled by 2 mules. Every single participant was able to climb on up and receive a ride around the ranch which included stories of some of Redwings' horses.  In the background, you can see our Draft Horses peering over to catch a glimpse of our visitors.

The 5-7 year olds scramble around the Pony Pen for eggs and prizes.

Parents line the fences to cheer on their kids.



Our horse Noey was available for petting and photos. Although Noey thoroughly enjoyed the grass, she does love being doted over.

The oldest group of kids eagerly await the gates to be opened for the final egg hunt!  There were nearly 200 eggs to be found for this final group ages 8-13.

A few of Redwings' dear volunteers admire the events as they take a quick rest at the Welcome Table.

 

March 23, Saturday- RANCH CLOSED

On Saturday, MARCH 23 the ranch will be CLOSED. 

 

 

However, we will BE OPEN on Friday March 22 and will resume normal ranch hours to the public 10am-3pm on Tuesday March 26

 

And don't forget to mark your calenders for the Easter Event March 30th!

 

If you have questions, please call the office (831)-386-0135.

 

Respectfully,

The Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers of Redwings

Egg Hunting & Hay Rides! March 30th

Topper: February's Horse of the Month

At Redwings we are adamant about helping those in need and educating the public about appropriate horse care.  Topper is an example of a horse that carries out Redwings’ mission, even at the equine level. Topper continued to “work” even after he was no longer able to be ridden.  Through him, veterinary research was able to be humanely explored; other horses were able have improved health and well-being; and many people- public and professionals- were educated. This handsome bay Quarter horse is 19 this month, and in his birthday celebration is our horse of the month!

Topper lived a happy life until he sustained a terrible tendon injury and the vet diagnosed him with a calcified tendon, which meant he could no longer be ridden. His veterinarian knew about a facility that accepted horses for use to collect their plasma and help other horses in need.

When Topper could no longer play this role of helping other horses, his owners were contacted by the facility to let them know Topper had done his service.  The facility knew how much the owners loved this horse and made the extra effort to refer the owners to Redwings.

Topper came to live here where he is committed to a lifetime of community service and equine health and education and deserves his place in the pastures at our Lockwood Ranch. 

 

Volunteer Class- Saturday, February 16th!

 

JOIN US at the Lockwood Ranch for Level 1 volunteer class and become an active volunteer! Then you can come anytime during Sanctuary hours, as often as you would like, to interact and help care for your favorite horses, ponies, and burros!

Anyone and everyone welcome- whether brand new to the horse world, curious about equines, or a novice horse lover- come on down!

PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE TO RSVP!

(831)-386-0135

HOPE TO SEE YOU HERE!!!

CA Pizza Kitchen FUNdraiser!!!!

Support Redwings on Thursday, February 28th at the Del Monte CPK in Monterey.  Simply bring this flyer in and 20% of your purchase will go towards Redwings!

Awonda: January's Horse of the Month

Awonda is a pretty grey Arabian mare who was living with other horses in a large pasture in Contra Costa County. Life was good; they had plenty of green grass, hay, and room to run until one year the grass dried up and slowly the feed stopped growing. The herd of eight horses had to walk the whole pasture just to find enough to eat. They began losing weight, were always hungry, and their owner was no longer coming to see them. They became covered with ticks and itchy lice but didn’t have the strength to rub them off.

Their owner had become very ill and he was no longer able to care for the animals. Then, someone told Contra Costa County Animal Services about Awonda and her herd. Animal Services came and brought food, then loaded all the horses into a trailer and took them to a shelter.

Once the younger horses were cleaned of their lice and ticks and started putting on weight again, they were quickly adopted. Awonda and her friend Miz Scarlett were older than the others, and although they were gaining weight, no one wanted them.  Redwings was called and the two horses found their forever home at the sanctuary.

Awonda is now 26 years old and still full of life and spunk.  She can be seen running with her friends even though slowly but surely a cataract is claiming the site in one of her eyes.  She seems not to have noticed and rather enjoys every day that she has, running, eating and resting when she needs to.  Here she is safe and well cared for and as another year begins for Redwings, so does another happy new year for Awonda.