Just as the Southern California western sky is full of vibrant and beautiful colors

at sunset, three of Red Bucket’s delightful geriatric “Golden Boys” can be found

living in harmony and peace…each one enjoying well-deserved protection for the

remainder of their sunset years.

Meet our wonderful 30+ something boys Shavers, Casey and Bilek! All are

members of the Red Bucket Senior Citizens’ Brigade. Each has a unique story to

tell, but the common thread bonding them together is they are loved and have

found safety in their forever home here on the Ranch, a safe residence where

they are provided the sanctuary and dignity each deserves.

Shavers has been with Red Bucket the longest. He is very protective of his

donkey roommate Blossom. Donkeys are known to make wonderful companions

to horses, and Blossom helps keep Shavers happy and stress free! She offers

Shavers reassurance along with a solid friend for him to care about. Being a

family-oriented equine, Shavers perks up around his little friend Blossom who

helps to keep him young at heart.

Well into his thirties, Shavers enjoys the gentle retirement he deserves.

According to volunteer Julie Shields, “He has been a delightful role model to all

manner of equine buddies here at the ranch, and is a much loved and valued

member of our Senior Citizen’s Brigade!” He loves to be groomed, sometimes

falling asleep during the process. Shavers’ gentle spirit and quiet demeanor are

recognized qualities of a horse well-loved by all at the Ranch, one who feels safe

and knows he is home.

Casey was a dependable trail horse for many years before being brought to Red

Bucket by a Good Samaritan. Also well into his thirties, Casey is very peopleoriented

and friendly. He is used to teach new Red Bucket volunteers how to

handle our horses using the Red Bucket Way; he is accommodating, tolerant and

patient as they learn the skills of grooming and handling horses in order to

become new volunteers of the Red Bucket Curry Comb Club. “He is very sweet

and can take on beginners who are learning grooming skills,” according to Jenon.

She also says, “Casey LOVES the attention!”

He lives with his equine pal Mozart who keeps him going as both boys add value

to each other’s lives. And though Casey is a very easy-going horse, he’s

definitely the boss in the stall with Mozart. They can both be seen during daily

turn outs enjoying enrichment time together in the arena.

The summers in California are known to be excessively hot and dry. Our third

gelding in the group was found abandoned in the riverbed during the month of

July. Bilek was our very first rescue to the then new facility of Red Bucket in

Chino Hills. He was a horse very much in need. It was immediately apparent that

he had suffered a lifetime of abuses from the obvious rope burns seared into his

body. Once brought out of the riverbed, Bilek spent some time in the pasture.

After awhile he was moved to the Ranch where he remains in residence today.

He lives with donkey friend Juble and two year old Ranger who help to keep him

happy and also in line! He is lovingly and respectfully named after Pamela Bilek,

a very generous donor and friend.

While each horse has his own history, the best chapter of their lives is happening

in the present. They are secure, living in harmony and peace, and loved by all at

Red Bucket. Rescue means rescue at Red Bucket. If a horse needs our help, we

will be there. Sometimes we receive a horse of a certain age, and they get used

to their home. They deserve the safety and dignity that can be provided to them

here. They also receive special care and treatment as geriatric horses in need of

that level of attention. We are honored to keep these amazing horses here on our

ranch.

As the sun begins to set each evening in the western sky above the Red Bucket

Ranch, it’s fitting the three “Golden Boys,” Shavers, Casey and Bilek, live on this

side of the property with a daily view of the setting sun. Every brilliantly colored

sunset reminds us that the sun’s energy does not go away just because we

cannot see it. Instead, the setting sun leaves us with a sense of calm and

peacefulness. And so it is with the dedication Red Bucket holds for each and

every horse on the Ranch, especially for these wonderful geriatric boys who are

permanent residents living a beautiful life in colorfully blended harmony, each

one respected and adored for the horse they are today in their “sunset years.”

Story by Johanna Downs