Pete… a true Gentle Giant. 

Pete a 25 year old Belgian found himself at an auction and then traveled to a local trail riding facility. Pete finally made his way to his “sanctuary” where he will never “work” again. With the help of our vet, Pete arrived July 2021 to LSHR. This big boy loves to eat and he needs so much to help him gain weight and then to maintain his weight. Pete arrived about 1000 pounds underweight and it is my goal to always have a bucket of grain in front of him. He needs to know that he will never have the need to look for food and then not find any. Pete’s life has been a long life of being a work horse and his body now needs medication for his aches and pain. All who visit the rescue want to touch this Gentle Giant.  Please consider sponsoring Pete. His life is now valued.

Bodie, a 10 year old stallion arrived at the rescue 8/14/2021.  Emaciated and weak.  A refeeding schedule was started and slowly he started to gain weight. A horse that has been starved can also show signs of abuse. Bodie had several “triggers” that made him feel that he needed to pin his ears to warn others he was done being hurt. He needed to protect himself, not from me but from the human who hurt him. Bodie was also lame in his front feet. Our vet took several x-rays and found severe rotation of his coffin bone in both front hoofs. Laminitis boots were ordered to help him to walk without pain.  It was important that this young horse be with a herd but first he needed to be gelded to eliminate any “stallion thoughts or behaviors”.   Bodie remains an innocent horse that is learning that the hands that touch him at the rescue are only kind hands. He now enjoys being with a small group of other geldings.  The name Bodie means… shelter and protect. Please consider sponsoring Bodie.

 The Golden Girls…  Blanche, Dorothy, Sophia and Rose

Four “wild” horses who spent their lives together with little human touch.  Before they could come to the rescue, they had to allow us to touch them, halter them, and trailer load them. Each day we traveled over an hour from the rescue to sit in the woods and pasture hoping that these four horses would learn to trust us enough to touch them. It took 10 months and finally the “Golden Girls” walked onto a trailer and arrived to the rescue where their rehabilation continues.  A few months after they arrived, our Vet  sedated all four to have their feet trimmed. It was the first time they have had their feet touched. Rose, the oldest of the four, had extremely long hoofs and with each step she took, the pain of coffin rotation from years of founder and laminitis was severe. We didn’t rescue Rose to have her live in pain and it was important to finally allow her to run free and be without pain. Our hearts broke that day.  We tried so hard to help her….but in the end Rose let us know that she could not live in pain any longer. 

Blanche, Dorothy and Sophia will remain at the rescue while they continue to learn that human hands are not to be afraid of. Please consider sponsoring the “Golden Girls”.  Please consider a sponsor ” In memory of Rose” for horses that need special care for laminitis.  Horses come to the rescue for different reasons…

Hope Update… Hope lived at the rescue for a year. She gave “hope” to so many others. I believe that this horse had the most beautiful pure heart, so loving and gentle. But in the end, it was her heart that gave out.  The “Hope Memory Fund” will provide “hope” for so many horses needing a safe place to live out their lives.

Hope, a 24 year old QH,  arrived at Last Stop Horse Rescue on October 8, 2020. A phone call saved her life as the voice on the other end pleaded with me to take in “one more”.  I never expected to touch a horse as thin as Hope. I worried that this horse might be the one that doesn’t make it. She was that far gone, had given up and stopped eating and drinking. She weighed under 700 pounds.   As I sat in her stall watching her breathe, I whispered to her… “I hope you make it girl”.   A perfect name for this perfect girl…. “Hope”. 

Today, Hope now weighs over 1200 pounds. Hope needed food …..  I promised Hope as she clung to life the day she arrived, that she would always have sanctuary here with me and would never know hunger again.

 Please consider sponsoring Hope.   

Lucky’s Shadow

A 2 year old that was found down in a field, emaciated and too weak to stand.  Shadow spent his first two weeks at the rescue being lifted by a pulley each time he went down to rest. When he was strong enough to stand on his own Shadow was gelded. The road to recovery was difficult but today he is a healthy “fat” boy who enjoys life at Last Stop Horse Rescue.  Our promise to Shadow.. “ You will never know hunger again and will always be safe”.  Please consider sponsoring Shadow.

Please consider sponsoring “Beautiful Joe”

On 11/1/2019 I received a phone call from a Therapeutic Facility for troubled youths that a horse that had been born at this facility 18 years ago was going to be euthanized in two weeks. I listened to this women explain that this horse wasn’t sick or lame but that over the years with many handlers ,staff and  youths being bused to spend the day,  he was now considered dangerous. For the safety of the staff and youths, the only option would be to euthanize him if they could not find a place for him.  I traveled to meet “Magnet” wondering if he would even be too dangerous for me to bring to the rescue. I found a horse that was not dominant but a horse that froze with fear. His reactions were fear based. He was not dominant or aggressive. I entered his stall and waited for him to approach me.  I took a step and he did also.  Where I went, he followed and when I stopped and stood still, he stopped and leaned into me. He was like a “magnet” to my every move.  “A powerful force of attraction between two”.   Magnet is now at the rescue and this is where he needs to be. A place of safety and understanding.  A place where healing will begin for this misunderstood horse that was given only two weeks to live. None of this was his fault.   Please consider sponsoring Magnet.

SPONSOR MAGNET:

A beautiful ex-racer TB who was found at a local auction. I had never been to an auction but was asked to go with a friend. The rescue was full, I wasn’t going to look for a horse. As I turned the corner of the auction barn I saw an older TB looking back at me. His eyes went right into my heart and soul. He never lifted those eyes until I stopped and turned back and stood in front of him. I did not go to find a horse but I have no doubt that this boy who had given up on life found me. I brought “Legend” home to the rescue. A defeated old boy…. lethargic and extremely underweight with many bites on his bony body. I could not turn my back on Legend and today he stands tall and proud at the rescue. Please consider helping Legend to have sanctuary at the rescue by sponsoring him. I knew what his fate was as he stood waiting for his number, waiting to go into the bidding line and then seeing the large long tractor trailer waiting to take those that didn’t make the bidding.  Legend was saved from a fate that is hard to even imagine.

Sponsor Legend:

Jack

Jack is estimated to be around 35 and came to the rescue as a “mercy rescue” on January 2, 2017.  Jack had a severely infected hoof, lethargic and extremely thin.  I wanted Jack to have at least a week of love, warm mash and medication to ease his painful hoof.  After several visits from our vet and farrier, Jack told us that he wanted to live. That was four years ago and this sweet kind boy continues to enjoy life at the rescue. Jack is on medication for Cushings and arthritis. He continues to get several buckets of warm mash each day and a huge bucket of chopped alfalfa because he can not chew hay due to missing teeth.   Please consider sponsoring Jack of Hearts.

Sponsor Jack

A miniature horse that arrived in June of 2018.  A sweet boy who ran from humans due to his past abuse.  When I was asked to accept Buddy into the rescue, I knew that this would be a place where he could be free to run with the others without expectations.  This boy needed time to accept the human touch and to know that my hands were safe to approach. Buddy deserves this freedom to “just be a horse”.  He was given sanctuary and here is where he has finally learned that there are humans that are good and kind.

SPONSOR SWEET BUDDY

Several years ago a mare and her baby were accepted into the rescue. Kali proved to be one of the sweetest horses. Once scared and fearful to approach humans, Kali became a horse that was loved by all who met her.  Her baby, Denali, was immediately gelded and nicknamed the “wild child”. After a few years, Denali was nicknamed “perfect boy”.   Both Kali and Denali were adopted out to a family while the rescue was located in Maine. Two years later the family could no longer keep both horses but the rescue was now located in Georgia. Our adoption contract states that  a horse is to be returned to the rescue if they can no longer be cared for in the adoptive home.  In November 2019, transport was arranged for both Kali and Denali to leave Maine and transported to the rescue here in Georgia. A huge undertaking, but a promise was made to both of these special horses and they finally came “home”.  A spot was opened up once again at the rescue for Kali and Denali.  Sponsorship would benefit both horses and secure their life at LSHR.

Sponsor Kali and Denali

Danny Boy –  July 18,2017 ….With each horse that arrives at the rescue I have always shared what I feel is “safe” for me to share. It isn’t so important for me to share the conditions or the facts, but more the first day to a new life. I also believe that pictures tell the story much better than I could or dare to. For me to accept a horse there has to be that moment when I say… I cannot, will not, leave them where I have found them. This morning started with a quiet morning of routine barn chores. This morning I had no idea that there was a horse that needed help. I only knew this horse by a picture and I had to find him and help him.  As we touched his sweet face he lowered his head into me. His body was so very thin. He had a gentle way of watching our every move as we stood looking at him. Touching his very thin body I wondered how he became this way. He was so very beautiful. “We will be back for you sweet boy”.

Tonight, Danny Boy is at the rescue and has had his first of many buckets of grain. There are times that we look into a horse’s eyes and they are saying… “please help me”. This is what happened today.   Danny Boy was waiting for us, we all felt it in our hearts as we stood telling him we would be back for him. Tonight is a new beginning for this sweet gentle boy. Welcome Danny Boy…. And I know without question that there was an old boy watching over you named “Daniel” that led us to you today.  It has now been three weeks since Danny Boy arrived and I am finding out so much more about his needs. His intake weight was only 860. Normal weight for this 10 year old palomino should be close to 1200.  This poor boy had shoes on and he was being ridden. Danny is not a dominant horse but very gentle.  Danny does have great fear and and many triggers from his past life. Leading him with a lead rope brought on extreme fear. At the same time, Danny tries so hard to trust.  This boy needs time to understand that here at the rescue he will not be hurt.  It will take many months of many buckets of grain with supplements to get him up to a good weight. Today Danny Boy is with the others here at the rescue enjoying acres of green grass and is safe.  It is important that he understands that he is finally home.  Please consider sponsoring Danny.  

Spirit is Luckyʼs foal. We are unsure what happened to Spirit when he was a young foal, but when he arrived at our rescue he was only 6 months old and had a broken right front leg that had healed in the wrong position. He was covered with bot eggs, infested with parasites and had an injury to his right rear stifle area. Today,  Spirit is now a 10 year old gelding and content living at the rescue. This little guy loves having the visitors at the farm give him love and attention. Our equine specialist has informed us that he is not in pain. His trauma to his back muscles has caused severe muscle atrophy to his hind end.  Here at the rescue we do not turn away horses that have medical conditions. We want them to live their life in comfort and peace. Some would euthanize a foal like Spirit if they could not be ridden in the future, but here at Last Stop Horse Rescue if a horse is not in pain or suffering we give them sanctuary at the rescue. It’s not about what they can do for us, it’s what we can do for them. Spirit will remain here at Last Stop Horse Rescue.

SPONSOR SPIRIT:

SPONSOR OTIS :

SPONSOR KATHLEEN AND BABY JOSEPHINE

Sunshine  A 26 year old QH mare that is the first “friend” to be introduced to all the new horses that arrive. A sweet calm soul that helps the most nervous scared newcomer.  A few years ago, Sunshine was surrendered to the rescue  by her owner due to the owners advanced medical condition. Sunshine had exhibited signs of tenderness in her front feet when she arrived. Due to her increased tenderness when she walked, our veterinarian felt that we needed x-rays to rule out what we thought to be navicular. The x-rays confirmed that she does have navicular in both front feet.  We are fortunate that our vet feels that Sunshine will continue to do well here at the rescue with this diagnosis. Sunshine can not be ridden and will need specialized farrier care often to keep her comfortable when walking. Sunshine will now have sanctuary so that we can continue to care for her.  Sunshine is one of the gentlest horses at the rescue who would benefit from a sponsorship program. 

SPONSOR SUNSHINE:

Murdock  A 16 year old Paso Fino, arrived to the rescue with severe issues of trust. The marks on his body helped to explain his need to protect himself with lunging out to bite. The need to get the human before the human got him was fear based.  After two years of extensive rehabilitation at the rescue , Murdock was learning to trust and a new softness was in his eyes. Finally, it was time for Murdock to have his own home. Murdock was adopted to an experienced family who had other horses and knew of his past life and issues. Within a few months, Murdock started to display signs of aggression again. Our policy is that a horse is welcome back to the rescue if an adoption doesn’t work out for any reason.  Murdock is “forever home” now at the rescue where he continues to live in a world of sanctuary without expectation. His rehabilitation will be ongoing for  life. This is where this horse needs to be.  Please consider sponsoring Murdock.  A horse that  truly has love in his heart …. 

SPONSOR MURDOCK:

Gracie and her two babies Lily and Gabby.  Gracie is a 16 year old blind miniature horse  who came to the rescue when her owner passed away of cancer. A promise was made to keep these three together and under the protection of the rescue. This mother and her babies, who are now 11 and 10, will always be part of Last Stop Horse Rescue and have sanctuary. Please open your heart to these three little minis and consider sponsoring this little family. 

UPDATE : Our little Gracie passed away 10/2018 suddenly. Our vet felt she had an aneurysm. Her babies will remain with me always. “my promise to Gracie” 

SPONSOR GRACIE, LILY, AND GABBY:

Journey   In late November, 2014 there were three Standardbreds that were running out of time…. Euthanasia was being considered for all three as a last option if homes could not be found by December 1st, 2014.. The impossible happened… Halo and Becky, the two older Standardbreds were welcomed into the rescue and given sanctuary. But what happened to the third Standardbred…. The 14 year old “baby” of Halo. “Journey” was considered dangerous, a stallion that had been kept in a stall, little training, extreme issues and aggressive tendencies toward humans. Journey was gelded under total sedation by our veterinarian.  A safe place for Journey was needed.  One of the most severe situations needed careful consideration as to where he needed to be and also to provide one on one rehabilitation daily. To be safe and to also keep others safe was most important.  A  place was found for Journey outside of the rescue. His healing began and today he continues to improve under the skilled hands of my sister, Nonie,  who has years of experience with the most difficult issues and has studied Parelli Natural Horsemanship.  The last of the three Standardbreds finally had a secure place to be. The rescue will always support Journey to insure that he receives the time he needs to accept humans. Journey needs a sponsor so that his days of rehabilitation, training and healing can continue in a smaller environment  under the direction of Nonie and support of the rescue. Please help us to help him. He was not born with such aggression and it is up to us to help him now.

SPONSOR JOURNEY:

Charlie Valentine is approximately 20 years old. Charlie is the horse that we met on Valentine’s Day, 2/14/16  that was “for sale”. Charlie was one of the sickest horses I have ever touched.  Thin and weak, head low to the ground, nasal discharge, a large abscess the size of a melon under his jaw, difficulty swallowing due to pain, infested with parasites, lice over his body , a loud continuous cough, and difficulty breathing due to onset of pneumonia.  Rescue comes to us in many ways and for many reasons.  Charlie came to us because he was “for sale”. His life is worth millions. His life is valued.  Please help us to continue to help Charlie with his ongoing respiratory problems. A long road for this boy but his kind soul remains pure and loving. Please consider sponsoring our “Charlie Valentine”

SPONSOR CHARLIE VALENTINE:

Benny, “Little Blessed One”.…  A promise was made to this boy as he hung from the sling in the barn for 12 days due to severe emaciation and starvation. “Please don’t give up. We will never leave you. You are safe now and always will be.”  Please consider sponsoring Benny. He is our miracle boy.

SPONSOR BENNY:

Chance …. A little mini who has the personality of a draft. Chance was two when he arrived at the rescue. This little boy is the first to greet each visitor to the rescue. When Chance was a baby his owner saved him after he was mauled by dogs. She traveled across the states with this little guy and brought him to the rescue to live. It was Chance and Benny who played while Benny was healing and gaining weight. Now Chance acts like the big brother to the other minis, Lily and Gabby. Please sponsor Chance.

SPONSOR CHANCE:

Emma.. The little pony who started it all. A misunderstood pony who had 7 homes in her 9 years of life. A pony who was scared and fearful of the human hand. Labeled as not suitable for children. As I sat in her stall late one night watching her eat, I said “Don’t you worry little pony, this is your last stop and you will never be passed around again” That was the beginning of  Last Stop Horse Rescue. A place for ponies just like Emma. I made Emma a promise that night and today Emma is  now 25 years old who continues to live a life of freedom with me at the rescue. Emma would also like to be sponsored. Maybe a little girl would like to sponsor her own little pony.

SPONSOR EMMA:

Belle… The second horse to arrive at the rescue. A big powerful Clydes/QH that was considered dangerous. A horse with anger towards the humans who hurt her. Because of Belle, I knew that I had to learn a different way to “ask a horse” instead of “forcing a horse”. My Parelli journey began because of Belle. A training method that is based on love, language and leadership in equal doses. A way of life with never compromising the dignity of the horse. Treating the horse with respect at all times. Because of Belle, all the horses that enter the rescue are greeted with this natural horsemanship approach. Belle is now 30 years old and continues to live at the rescue. Belle is as fragile as she is powerful. Please consider sponsoring this big beauty. She really knows how to eat!

SPONSOR BELLE:

Willow has now been back to the rescue “North” and in my sisters hands for 2 months now (June, 2016).  We picked her up after seeing an ad in a local horse/tack sale site that she was for sale by the person who adopted her from us. If a horse can’t be cared for they are to be returned to the rescue. Willow will never know hunger or neglect again. The rescue will continue to support Willow while she is in Maine. Peace of mind knowing that she is now “back home.” Today, Willow has sanctuary at the rescue, supported by the rescue, and cared for by Nonie in Maine. It is important that she heals both physically and emotionally and we want to give her the time she needs. Please consider sponsoring Willow…

SPONSOR WILLOW:

Three days before my hands touched Grace, my precious blind 18 year old pure white miniature horse passed away. It was sudden and not expected. My heart was broken…  And then I heard that there was a horse in urgent need.  I touched a fragile, emaciated white horse with her head hanging low.  I wrapped my arms around her and suddenly the chills came over me. I could feel my sweet Gracie all around me. “Did she send me to you, did she know that you were near death?”  It was at this moment that I would call her “Grace”.  She will always be known as  “Gracie’s Grace”

Hershey Kisses – “cowpony”

February 2019.  A one day old orphan calf was put in my arms to bottle feed after he was found in a local field standing over his deceased momma trying to nurse.  I became his new momma but I knew after he learned to eat and drink on his own he would need to go back to live with the other cows. I also knew what his fate would be, along with the many other Angus cows in the local pasture.

When the day came, I could not let this little boy leave….. Hershey was now part of me, part of the herd of horses at the rescue. I have to admit that I had “no clue” about cows. But Hershey taught me that they are gentle quiet souls who truly can bond with their human.  Please consider sponsoring Hershey Kisses .  He is a special boy and his life has been “spared”.

****PayPal monthly sponsorship with a note in the memo “Hershey Kisses”