Boronda Meadows 6th grade class visits Redwings Horse Sanctuary

Thirty Six students from Boronda Meadows 6th grade visited Redwings Horse Sanctuary on March 18th. It was a cool day but they were warmly welcomed by ranch residents, staff and volunteers. Inspired by Classmate Christine, the class had decided to visit Redwings because they were interested in learning more about cruelty to animals and ways to break the cycle. They needed to raise their own money to make this trip. Cheers to this great class and we know with everything they are learning, they will help all animals have a better life.

If other students or teachers are interested in finding out how to visit the ranch, contact the office and we can give you some ideas on how to make that happen.

Copperopolis update!

Hi Everyone,

The 3 mares and stallion that were living at Remington Ranch in Sonora have been moved to The ReHorse Rescue Ranch. All 10 of the Copper Horses are now at ReHorse. We would like to thank Gena and the Remington Ranch for their hospitality for these horses in need.

The horses are doing well. They are all gaining weight and playing and napping. We have removed most of the petrified mud and are hoping they will shed out what's left. We have moved the mares to a larger pasture and will move the 3 mares that arrived from Remington Ranch out with them in the next few days.

This has been, by far, one of our most difficult rescues. This is the largest number of horses we have taken in to rehabilitate at one time. It's been a lot of work and we have a long way to go with these guys.

The owner's of the Copper Horses are scheduled to go to court this Monday April 4th and if not convicted, legally, he will have the right to have these horses back. Please keep the Copper Horses in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you to all that have donated and volunteered to help these horses. Please continue to support the horses in crisis. Every $ makes a difference to a horse in need.

We would like to thank some of our local businesses and groups that have supported this rescue effort -
Century 21 Copperopolis, Coldwell Banker Copperopolis, Calaveras Humane Society, Snaps Coffee House, McDillard's Feed, Bolton Feed, Country Mountain Riders - Groveland, Twain Harte Horsemen and all the businesses that are helping to raise funds for these horses. THANK YOU!!!!

If anyone would like to donate or volunteer please call (209) 337-5886 or email conact@rehorserescue.org. Donations can also be made on the website www.rehorserescue.org or mailed to P.O. Box 494, Jamestown, Ca 95327

ReHorse Rescue Ranch relies on donations and volunteers and is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductable as permitted by law.


Copper couple charged with animal cruelty

http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=126459#comments


Written by Sean Janssen, The Union Democrat March 04, 2011 03:12 pm
A Copperopolis husband and wife have each been charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty and one count of misdemeanor violation of animal confinement law. (for the stallion's enclosure)
Nigh and Melva Lawhon, both 71, are accused of keeping their 10 horses in a too-small field secured with corral panels and barbed wire fencing in various states of disrepair, according to a sheriff’s report.
The horses were standing in mud six to 10 inches deep, showing signs of malnutrition.The animals were seized by the Animal Services Division of the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 29 following an investigation.
They are now recuperating at ReHorse Rescue Ranch in Jamestown and Remington Ranch in Sonora.
Nigh Lawhon is also accused of resisting arrest after an alleged conflict with Calaveras County sheriff’s deputies at the time of the horses’ seizure.
The Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office’s decision on whether to press charges was delayed while it awaited additional reports from veterinarians who assessed the horses’ injuries.
The pair will be arraigned at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Department 2 of the Calaveras Superior Court.

Two Rescues in process.

Nellie: Abandoned and starving








Gentle Spirit: Abandoned and ill









Redwings Horse Sanctuary is faced with making decisions on what horses we can help on a daily basis. We can't take them all in. We have to remain responsible and true to our mission.

We are currently considering the intake of two horses. One that was neglected and one that was abandoned. With each rescue we must consider our current rescued horses. Will a new rescue take away care from the current residents of the sanctuary? Will this new horse be able to adapt to Redwings life? Is this horse one that could lead a healthy life with people who could ride and care for it? Many decisions and more...all to help decide if the horse should come to permanent sanctuary, or be referred to many other rescue organizations with hope the horse can lead a normal life.

Stay tuned for photos and details!

UPDATE:

The Board of directors of Redwings Horse Sanctuary has decided to take these two poor souls in to our Sanctuary. Both of them deserve a peaceful and healing place to fulfill their journey of life.

We will share their stories in a few days.

They are expected at the Lockwood ranch this coming weekend.

Copperopolis Horses Get Redwings' Assist

Redwings Board of Directors supports California rescues when we are able.
The horses from Copperopolis in the story just below are getting a donation directly to the feed store. This donation to help rehabilitate these horses that were found in tragic and deplorable condition. Rehorse rescue deserves some kudos for taking these horses in when they already had 35 rescued horses. If you feel like helping these poor animals have a better life, please cross post this story.

Copperopolis...? What is happening there!?

There have been stories of hundreds of animals and hundreds of horses needing help in two separate rescues in Montana. Redwings has helped place some cross posts and written a few letters to help where we can.

Last week we received notice of some horses right here in California that have been in trouble for all too long. We didn’t have time to get our supporters to get in on cross posts and publicity for this case, yet the rescuing organization will desperately need help.

I have not heard what kind of health issues these horses face yet, but I am sure starvation and skin infections top the list. When you see horses that deep in the mud, you know there are going to be problems beyond skin infection. There are likely hoof problems that may take months to heal…if that is even possible. When you can see rib lines showing through the thick winter coat, there is some serious nutritional problems.

Redwings horse sanctuary can’t take many horses in to our ranch. We can make a decision on how we can help these horses. For now, please look for the contact information below and contact the REHORSE RESCUE RANCH rescue organization for direct donations. Redwings asks for no money for this rescue. We will be deciding within a few days what we can do for these horses.
I am thrilled the horses are out of there, but they are only just beginning on a long journey to recovery.

Thanks for your attention and assistance.

We will keep you posted with updates as we hear them.

Michelle Beagle
President
Redwings Horse Sanctuary

1/31/2011 UPDATE
REHORSE RESCUE RANCH GOT ALL 10 OF THE HORSES OUT TODAY!!!!!!!
We received a call late yesterday from animal control they would serve the warrant to get the horses out today at 9am. We rallied the troops. All horses are safe in ReHorse's custody. The owner was arrested this morning. Thank you to all of you for your calls and for not giving up. A Big THANK YOU to everyone that helped safely load and transport these horses - Julie Maddox, Kelly Vermeer, Paul Kezis, Lori Teichert, Leeann & Bob Kenyon, Sue Andrus, Maggie, Sharon, and Dr. Tom - Angels Camp Vet
All of the horses are in bad shape and have a long rehabilitation ahead of them. Now the real work and journey begins!
We need to rally the troops again to raise funds to help these horses.
If anyone would like to help the rescue and these horses - ReHorse Rescue Ranch is a 501(c)3 -
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT - www.rehorserescue.org or mailed to P.O. Box 494, Jamestown, Ca 95327 -
Donations can also be made at any of our local feed stores - Sonora Feed, Radovich Hay, Hurst Ranch Feed and Tractor Supply

Part one of this story…unedited.

-----Original Message-----
From: Raquelle@Rehorse Rescue [mailto:rehorserescue@att.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2011 9:23 AM
To: rehorserescue@yahoo.com
Subject: HORSES IN CRISIS - PLEASE HELP
It is with great sadness and heartbreak that I am forwarding these pictures.
There are 10 horses, 9 mares and a stallion in Copperopolis, Ca living in these horrific conditions. These horses were brought to our attention in January of 2010. At that time we were advised by Calaveras County Animal Control that the owner had until February 2010 to improve the living conditions for these horses or they would be taking legal action. We offered our help at that time to Animal Control as well as the owner to take all of these horses. A concerned citizen emailed us these pictures taken yesterday and Wednesday.
Calaveras Animal Control says the District Attorney now has the file and unless they can prove the owner is not feeding the horses they are unable to seize them. These horses need to be rescued NOW! Not when the county gets their "case" together. So far it's taken more than 2 YEARS!
ReHorse Rescue Ranch is willing to take all 10 horses but our hands are tied. These horses are in mud up to their knees, are not receiving proper feed, vet or hoof care. As you can see, the stallion is currently living in a dog kennel.

Please help them. Forward this email to everyone you know TODAY!
We have tried to contact the TV news station but they are not calling back. If you would like to call the local agencies involved, I am including some phone #'s.

THESE HORSES HAVE NO CHOICE OR VOICE. WE HAVE TO HELP!!!

Calaveras Animal Control - (209) 754-6509
Calaveras District Attorney - (209) 754-6330
Darren Spellman - County Supervisor - (209) 786-4585
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT MEDIA

February Horse of the Month

Lover Boy (LB)

Lover Boy is a Belgian Draft horse, descendant of horses used by knights and farmers to better human lives in early times. He is over 17 hands high, and weighs in at a hefty 1900 pounds. His color is debateable, some say palomino, some say chestnut with flaxen mane and tail. Whatever color you call him, he is strikingly handsome. His sister, Calypso lives on the other side of the ranch, she looks a lot like him. Her nickname is “Barbie” because of the lovely long blonde mane and tail.

Lover Boy, or “LB” as we call him, was one of the four foals rescued from the Premarin slaughter sales held in Canada. Redwings originally planned to rescue four fillies, and when LB was brought into the ring he was listed as a filly. When the Redwings Staff went to pick him up and discovered he was a colt, she was told, “you can just pick out some other filly and we’ll send him back into the ring”. Well, Redwings wasn’t about to give him back to be sold again, so he came home with the three fillies.

He will also serve as a reminder of the thousands of foals sold for slaughter from the Premarin farms.

He was named Lover Boy because he was the first foal to be rescued and spent the first night alone (he was only 3 ½ months old, not yet weaned from his mother, and forcibly taken from her). When the three fillies were brought into his corral the next day he was so happy to see them, he immediately gave them all “horse hugs” and was named “Lover Boy”.

When he first arrived at Redwings he was on medication for weeks because of a stress related illness caused by the trauma of early weaning and having been transported hundreds of miles to make it to a safe and forever home.

When LB settled in and was finally able to join a herd, he was put in a herd with some very strong willed horses. The herd was dubbed the pesky boys because they could get into a bit of trouble, and loved to kindly pester people who visited the pasture.

Loverboy spent time in Prunedale with a herd of horses until recently when he became ill and we decided he needed closer watching at our main ranch.

Come visit him in Lockwood.
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Update MLAS rescue

The animals in the MLAS rescue in the previous blog still need help! Please go to animeals.com or their facebook page for donation information. THEY NEED HELP.