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.

December Horse of the Month- Trigger!

 

Due to the joyous commotion, excitement, cheer, and togetherness December brings, it is no wonder the majority of us feel like little kids again. There is one such horse, on our ranch, that truly exemplifies being a kid at heart.  Trigger is a palomino Welsh Pony, approximately 14 years old.  Despite his age, previous tribulations, or even a cloudy day, his gregarious and spunky personality does not falter.

In June of 2001, Redwings’ Stray Animal Pick-up volunteers received a call to pick up a horse in the road in the Salinas area. They arrived to find a beautiful Welsh pony stallion out on the roadway. They searched for the owner of the stallion, but no one claimed him. He was taken to Redwings Sanctuary.

After a week or so, the owner called inquiring about the pony. When he was told he would have to pay boarding and transportation costs, he stated the young stallion was “too much trouble” and “he no longer wanted him.”

Trigger with his pals, The Ponies and Apollo.

Well, Redwings wanted him! He was named Trigger, gelded (Redwings has no stallions on the facility) and has become best friends with the rest of the ponies. Trigger, lives up to his name and can frequently be heard neighing with the other ponies, nuzzling with a visitor, and galloping to race his friends to the gate.  He is a handsome one that is truly a joy to visit and once you meet Trigger, he will forever be in your heart!

Redwings Mercantile- Now OPEN!!!

Participate in "Giving Tuesday": November 27th

As we kick off the holiday season, we can sometimes become caught up in hours of cooking, miles of traveling, and days of extreme shopping.  After giving thanks on Thursday and battling for the best sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it is only appropriate to participate in "Giving Tuesday".  Tuesday, November 27th is considered "national give back day" implemented to inspire people, families, and businesses to take a collaborative philantropic effort and donate in the name of those less fortunate- to include our majestic equines.

Donations can be made in honor or in memory of a loved one or beloved pet.  A card will be sent to the recipient that a donation has been made in their name from you. We have also opened a brand-new online shop to purchase Redwings' gear like sweatshirts, hats, and coffee mugs; 100% of the proceeds go to Redwings, visit http://www.cafepress.com/RedwingsHorseSanctuaryMerchandise to buy anything you would like!  There are many ways to donate other than directly giving money, such as: donating hay, horse blankets, fly masks; volunteering at the ranch; or giving the gift of sponsoring one of our horses.  Sponsor horses each represent a different plight horses can face and your sponsorship helps provide their care for 1 year.  We have recently added 3 new Sponsor Horses to our list.  They are Coco, Cyclone, and Apollo.  Below is our entire list of 12 Sponsor Horses:     

 

 

 

You have the following options when doing a sponsorship: 

 

To give you an idea of what your donation can help provide:

 

- $17 for 1 bale of hay (1 bale can feed 1 horse up to 2 weeks)

- $45 for a farrier visit to trim 1 horses feet (done once every 8 weeks)

- $95 for dental care from a veterinarian

 

Which ever way you choose to give back to our Redwings' equine friends, you are making a difference in their lives and it not only helps them feel good, but you as well!