People do not value what is free, which is why giving a horse away is seldom a good idea…. for the horse. Maestro, we are told, is a dream under saddle, delightful on trail, quiet enough for children to ride bareback, and he is even trained in dressage. He was given away to a “good home”, and returned some time … Read More
Red Bucket Equine Rescue # 261- Wallace
In rescuing the starving, shattered, and slaughter-bound, it has been our practice to do as much as we possibly can…..and then just a little more. We said “yes” to him, sight unseen, as we would never use a photograph to make a decision, and of course they are all beautiful…and deserving. We named him before we met him, and somehow … Read More
Red Bucket Equine Rescue # 258 and #259- Trinket and Penelope
Rescued from a slaughter auction, hungry, terrified, exhausted… and now, safe. Trinket and little Penelope are just getting used to the idea of enough to eat, clean bedding, kindness, and yes…even little ponytails and treats! We simply cannot begin to fathom how these precious little lives ended up at a slaughter auction, nor can we comprehend the terror…or the degradation…of … Read More
Red Bucket Equine Rescue # 256 and #257- Juble and Blossom
When our good buddy Parker developed ulcers, and all of the tricks, including diet changes, added enrichment, and Ranitidine failed to work, Lauren came up with the Red-donk-u-lous idea of getting Parker his very own donkey! We went to our waiting list in an effort to find just the right gelding for the job, and low and behold….we found the … Read More
Red Bucket Equine Rescue # 255 – Crescendo
Sometimes we just do not have the words to describe the depth of our emotion…and something that lies a little deeper but remains undefined. The few words that do come to mind are commitment, empathy…and heartbreak. Karen labeled his new bucket, Diana carefully filled it, and Shannon gave him a new name, Crescendo, that will accompany him on his journey … Read More
Red Bucket Equine Rescue #250- Talulah
She is skinny, but that doesn’t surprise us, nor does the fact that she is terrified, and she like so many of the unwanted has endured abuse that is unconscionable. She had been hobbled, both front legs tied together, with a rope tied around her neck secured to her front legs and to a back leg that was tied to … Read More
Pregnant Feral Mare Update
They have come in every color possible…bay, chestnut, palomino, strawberry roan, grulla, black, and in the case of little Duke, paint…with a little perfect heart shaped marking on his equally perfect little bum! Their innocence, wonder, curiosity and in some cases naughtiness has both delighted us…and grounded us. These perfect, allow us to say it again….PERFECT, healthy, and well bred … Read More
Red Bucket Equine Rescue- UPDATE!
Our horses come to us victims of unspeakable abuse and devastating circumstances. It has been nearly a year since we climbed down a steep embankment to rescue three trapped horses who were reported to be without food and water for three days, our anonymous caller had been trying in vain to get help for the horses, and then called Red … Read More
Red Bucket Equine Rescue #249- Mathe
It is only later in quiet reflection that we see the irony in the juxtaposition of our work. Our weekend started early and finished long, as we welcomed Darcy’s daughter into the world and onto a ranch that she has instant equity in. While the birth itself wasn’t completely outside of the bell shaped curve, several factors that ran the gamete … Read More
Red Bucket Equine Rescue #245 and #246 Angelica and Micah
We say no dozens of times a month, it is always with deep regret, sorrow, and a fair share of spilled and swallowed tears. Wednesday we said yes, because in saying no, we would not b…e able to close our eyes last night or in the nights to follow… ..and we would be unable to focus our eyes on our … Read More