Lucky and Darla…A Love Story

Lucky and Darla were retired here from Fort Sam Houston Riding Stable. They had been wonderful riding horses for a long time and it was time to rest. They had been put up for sale and a young girl bid on them so they could be retired and never have to work again.

Darla was a white Arabian, about 27 and Lucky was a buckskin gelding about 30, with a blind eye.

They loved each other so. It was obvious. Darla was easy for Lucky to see and follow. They were inseparable.

About a year later, Darla acted strange. She kept walking around, not seeming to know where she was. Then, later she would be ok. She ate well, but was confused at times. We have seen this before…a type of senility. It is sad to watch.

About a week later, we found Darla asleep…a forever sleep. There was no struggle or signs of fighting to get up. And there by her side was Lucky. He would not leave her.

We covered her with a blanket and went to call our friend Candy to pick her up and bury her.

When we got back, Lucky had nuzzled the blanket off so he could see her beautiful white face.

We had to take her away, but I left the blanket…he stood by it all day.

Lucky no longer wanted to eat. We tried everything, but we were not Darla. We thought of putting another white horse in with him, but we knew we couldn’t fool him.

Day by day, we watched out Lucky lose weight and become more despondent. His hindquarters were always a problem, so that when he laid down, he needed help to get up.

The last time he was down, no amount of strength could get him up. Lucky raised his head and looked at me. I knew he was telling me to let him go.

He left quickly and painlessly to be with his beloved Darla. Candy had kept a spot for him beside her and that is where he is and where he wanted to be.

  A love story…one we won’t forget.

Jay Cee

Gentle Ben’s Story…
A poor, emaciated 24 year old came off the trailer on December 3, 2005. Tears welled in all our eyes when we saw him.
The woman who brought him said that she only got him because of 2 other horses she was buying….Gentle Ben had to be part of the deal or no sale. She tried to put weight on him with no success, she said. She also told us that the owners had still been riding him. The saddle must have been agony on his bony back.
From the first day, Ben ate everything in sight! I don’t think he lifted his head out of his bucket and hay rack for 24 hours. His eyes have brightened and he knickers for his food. It didn’t take him long to know when dinner was on the way.
Ben has a previous injury to his front leg that was never treated, so we will have to watch his weight in the future. For now, though, he gets all he can hold! He has also figured out that visitors mean treats and that big, gentle head is over the stall door waiting!

Gentle Ben

Samson’s Story Samson, a 3 year old black mini stallion, was rescued by friends of the Refuge about 5 weeks ago. He was attacked by a Pit Bull and badly injured in his hind quarters. Samson was tied to a tree and could not get away from the dog. He spent almost 2 weeks at the vet’s before coming to the Refuge. His wounds are healing very well, but he has nerve damage and will require surgery at later time. The worst part of this story is that this was the second time he has been attacked by the same dog. Both animals belong to the same people. How fortunate for Samson…he is not going back this time. Samson recovering Samson's Injury Samson Update… Little Samson is doing great and is now out of the cast on his leg. His wounds have healed and his hair has grown back. The surgery on his foot has been successful and he will walk again. He will have a slight limp due to the damage done by the dog. He is a brave little guy who has been through a lot. Even so, he is still as sweet as ever and all our visitors love him. Samson after surgery Midnight Surprise On Friday , May 20th, at 12:05am, Bill and I received a phone call from a neighbor telling us that a mare looked like she was about to give birth. We ran out in our sleepwear to see for ourselves. Sure enough, by the time we got there, there was the most beautiful little….mule! We had never seen a mule baby and what a pleasant surprise little “Whoopsie” was. The fact that she is healthy is a bonus. Her mom was one of the last horses seized on March 1. She was very thin and we worried that the foal might be affected by malnutrition. Whoopsie is , at this writing, 10 days old and growing like a weed. Come visit her soon. Whoopsie Whoopsie Whoopsie Whoopsie Lakota’s Story In June, the Animal Control in Medina County seized a mare with a foal by her side and a gelding. All were in terrible condition. We had not seen a five month old foal this bad before. We named her “Lakota” and hoped we had gotten her in time to save her. A beautiful Tobiano Paint, Lakota was very lethargic and losing her hair due to malnutrition. When food started coming regularly 5 and 6 times a day, she started to put on weight. At this writing, Lakota is doing great. She has lost her bad hair and is growing a nice sleek coat. Lakota before Lakota Update on Lakota… On New Year’s Day, Lakota went to her new home in Caldwell, Texas. John and Sherry are absolutely mad for her! She will have Peruvian Pasos for companions and a large pasture to romp in. Our friend, Marilyn Stone taught Lakota some ground manners and how to wear “clothes” and jump a log or two. The best part of her adoption is that John and Sherry are planning to move into our area this year or next. We will be able to visit her and watch her blossom into adulthood. In spite of her abuse, she is a sweet, gentle girl who is quick to please and quick to learn. We expect to see her in a Bandera parade one day soon! Lakota practicing Lakota practicing some more... Update on Lakota… On New Year’s Day, Lakota went to her new home in Caldwell, Texas. John and Sherry are absolutely mad for her! She will have Peruvian Pasos for companions and a large pasture to romp in. Our friend, Marilyn Stone taught Lakota some ground manners and how to wear “clothes” and jump a log or two. The best part of her adoption is that John and Sherry are planning to move into our area this year or next. We will be able to visit her and watch her blossom into adulthood. In spite of her abuse, she is a sweet, gentle girl who is quick to please and quick to learn. We expect to see her in a Bandera parade one day soon! Missy's Smile Rescued by China Grove Animal Control on October 23rd, she was malnourished and in severe inhumane living conditions. Missy had no water, food or shelter, plus she was tied by the neck to a pole surrounded by debris…mostly large pieces of metal. Partially blind and emaciated, she was taken from the owner and brought to the Refuge. If you look at the photo, you will see a sad eye and a mouth drawn in despair. But….about 2 weeks later, we had a totally different little mare! She had picked Shy Ann as her companion, she had gained weight fast and the two of them have the run of the place. Missy got to know all the other horses, remember she had no one before for what may have been many years….not a lot of humans either. She was just tired and left alone. Our friend and board member, Mary, came over one day and took her picture standing with Champ at his paddock. When I saw the picture, I felt tears fill my eyes because she looked so pretty and happy. I saw it! Missy’s Smile! She is smiling and you can see it too. You may think us foolish, but how else could she tell us how happy she is? We will always treasure that precious moment taken at the perfect time…the time of Missy’s smile. Many thanks to Linda Gillespie of China Grove Animal Control for the rescue of Missy and for giving her a happy place to be. To see her now would make Linda smile too. Missy before Missy after To My Hero – My Savior (named by the Refuge, he had no name) From Captain Nemo I am an older horse and I used to be cared for once, a long time ago, and I was good to my owners. But they sold me and now I was standing in a barren piece of land unable to get away, for I was tied to a long rope that often wrapped around my feet and I could not move at all. I was cold, hungry, weak and sad…”What did I do to be treated this way?”. And then you came…my Savior. You took me away, you talked softly to me and placed me in a hospital, where I was cared for, fed and sheltered by very kind people. You would visit me and take pictures of my progress and you would comfort me. The after a while, another man came with you and took me away again. I was nervous, “What is going to happen to me now?” When I got to this place, I heard whinnies of welcome. There were others just like me…and other people who spoke softly to comfort me. Now I know that I am home. I have friends here, many of whom were like me and kind people who feed me, give me treats and I get alfalfa hay for dessert! This is a happy place. I will never be alone, hungry and sad again. It is all because of you, my hero, my friend. Thank you from Captain Nemo. NOTE: Captain Nemo’s hero and Savior is Richard Simmers, Animal Control officer for the city of Gonzales. Aman who really cared. His love of all animals is touching indeed and we thank him for calling us to help Nemo have a safe and happy place. Captain Nemo was rescued by Mr. Simmers January 6, 2004, taken to Dr. Gollwald, DVM, at Guadalupe Valley Veterinary Clinic where he and his staff took care of Captain Nemo for a good month and a half. He gained weight and his whole personality changed from sad to happy. I only wish there were more like Mr. Simmers, who was determined to get this poor fellow out of an awful situation. God bless you, Mr. Simmers…you are our hero too. Captain Nemo 'before' Captain Nemo after putting on a few pounds and rolling in the mud! Lady's Story I was cold, alone, my feet hurt so badly. I had to lay down a lot on hard ground. I was staked out and it was hard to find any softness to be on. I have bad hip sores, plus I am very, very thin. Nobody cared about me, other than a kind lady who called the cruelty officer and he came out and talked to my owner, who didn’t want me anyway. The officer called a place in Pipe Creek called Brighter Days and a trailer came with a kind man who touched me and led me to the trailer. As crippled as I was, I jumped in and found hay and grain inside. It was a while before we came to the place where I heard horses calling me. There were joyous calls and I trembled with anticipation when they opened the trailer doors and I stepped out. I saw people and I was gently touched and they spoke softly to me and shed tears of sorrow at my poor feet and body. But, they also noticed my eyes…they said they were bright and shiny and I held my head up and looked all around, for as neglected, as I was, the pain I was in, I am still proud. Jeannie said, “You are a Lady.” Her husband, Bill said, “That’s her name.” I never had a name other than many years ago when I was loved. I now have a warm stall in the ICU and I have good food and kind, gentle people who love me. Jeannie combed out my poor tattered mane and I laid my head against her leg and rubbed it gently up and down and softly nuzzled her shoe. I did not know of any other way to say…Thank you for caring and loving me. A long time ago, I was loved and cared for until I was tossed away. I was a good horse and until now, I have had nothing…any decent food, no proper foot care, no grooming and I do not understand why I was treated so very bad. But that is behind me now. I have equine friends around me and they tell me that I’ll be safe and happy here and not sad any more. “ You are here, Lady… you now have Brighter Days.” Lady 'before' Lady a couple weeks after she arrived at BDHR Smokie's Story A 7 year old stallion named Smokie was rescued by BDHR in 1989. He had been locked in a stall for 2 years with little or no food or care of any kind. When the stall door was opened and he tried to come out, he fell to the ground from weakness. It took 6 people to get him on his feet and into the trailer. The journey to the Refuge was difficult for him, but he made it. Our Vet was called and treatment was started immediately. With a regimen of vitamins and 4 small meals a day, and plenty of hay, Smokie began the long road to health. Within 6 months, he looked like a horse again. A gentle, kind horse, Smokie was soon in a new home with people who loved him. Smoky shortly after he arrived at BDHR Smokie today Angel's Story We rescued Angel on June 3rd, 1987, severely malnourished. She constantly scoured and looked like a skeleton with skin covering. We were very concerned as to wether she would make the trailer ride from Pleasanton to Boerne. We drove very slowly and she had to spread out her legs to stand. We were pulling an open stock trailer and many people shook their fists at us for having a horse in her condition. Angel had to have special medicines, B12, plus shots to get her stomache enzymes working again. Slowly, with 3 and 4 feedings each day, the weight started to show within the month. It took a full year for Angel to look like a healthy horse should. She had lost many teeth due to the malnourishment and would stand at the hay, stick her head in it, but was unable to eat it. She got shredded wheat in her bucket of dampened feed for her fiber, and Pop-Tarts for her treats. Angel turned out to be a beautiful mare...all the geldings loved her! She was with us for 6 more years before she "left" us. She is still missed today. Footnote: We feel that the toxins she consumed prior to her rescue led to some severe damage to her body. Once a year she would scour really bad and have to have Toxi-Ban for a couple of days to get well again. We were lucky to have her as long as we did... and she did enjoy her life with us very much. Angel shortly after he arrived at BDHR Angel after PJ's Story In March of 1995, we were called about an abandoned horse. When we arrived there we saw a lot, over-grown with weeds and littered with rusty metal. By the time the police met us, it was getting dark. With flashlights we started looking for the horse. Out of the bushes came a slow-moving bag of bones. She stopped and stared at us. In the light we could see that she was in serious trouble. She had a halter on and we gently put a lead on and started for the trailer. She was moving so slow I thought she must be very old. After some hesitation she got in the trailer. We headed for the Refuge, some 20 miles away. Jeannie and Bill were waiting with food and a stall for her. She was given a small amount of grain and plenty of hay and bedded down for the night. Our vet was called first thing in the morning. By the time he arrived, she had breakfast and we could get a good look at her. She was so malnourished that the hair on her legs had disappeared up to her knees. We were looking at leathery skin. Rick, our vet, checked her and discovered that she was about 18 months old. We were astonished. Thankfully, she was healthy... other than starving. With food, she would be ok. PJ, named after me, made a fairly rapid recovery. She turned into a beautiful bay. At 4 years old a visitor came and spotted her from across the pasture... it was love at first sight. Merja Hodgson adopted her in 1997, trained her at J.AFB and was riding her in 2 weeks. PJ was a gentle horse who learned quickly. In October of 97, they took PJ to their new assignment in DC. Thanks to a loving family, PJ has a wonderful home with Simon, a Tennessee Walking Horse. PJ today Many more pictures and histories will be posted soon. You will be amazed at what incredible recoveries some of these horses have made.