At RVR Horse Rescue, we face the worst of the worst cases of abuse and neglect, including starvation. Many times, our newly rescued equines are only skin draped over protruding bones. Upon a new arrival, the intake process allows us a structured way to access the severity of any injuries and the overall health of the animal. Our farrier addresses any immediate hoof or shoe issues and our veterinarian performs a thorough examination.

A numeric evaluation is assigned to the horse’s physique, using the Henneke Scale. This numeric tool was developed to quantify the body condition of a horse. The scale runs from a lower limit of one, which indicates extreme starvation, to ten, which indicates extreme obesity. Many of our rescues pathetic condition are deemed worse than extreme starvation.

New arrivals are placed into a segregated paddock during the intake process. The quarantine allows us time to complete a medical examination, which includes Coggins testing, before releasing a potentially sick horse into the herd.

The Coggins test checks for equine infectious anemia, commonly called swamp fever. This disease is similar to HIV in humans and is transmitted by bloodsucking insects, primarily flies. Often the carriers don’t display obvious symptoms, so every horse is quarantined until the testing is complete to prevent inadvertent transmission to healthy horses through bodily fluids.

Next, we tackle the starvation. A bucket of food to a severely emaciated horse could literally kill it with kindness. If their emaciation has led to poor kidney or liver function, providing a lot of food can result in colic or shock or even death.

Oftentimes, horses deprived of food eat sand and dirt out of desperation. During their recovery, the foreign matter must be eliminated before their system can properly process real food again. As the sand or dirt passes, the animal will lose weight before gaining any, sometimes dropping up to thirty-five pounds worth of dirt.

The intake process includes dumping poop in a bucket of water to see how much sand precipitates out, and sometimes it’s an enormous amount. Pitch-black poop can be an indicator of significant dirt.

Refeeding begins with tiny amounts of mushy high-protein alfalfa hay or pellets about six times a day. The amount is gradually increased and grains are added, along with a small amount of dry alfalfa hay. If we see signs of distress, we stop adding. As the amount of food per feeding increases, the number of feedings per day is reduced until the patient is eating normal-size meals two or three times per day.

Our regimen acclimates the body to food again. Initially, it seems as though you’re not feeding them anything, but it’s all they can handle. We fine-tuned our process over time and out of necessity. Our veterinarians couldn’t provide much guidance in this area because people who starve their animals don’t typically provide them with medical care.

The following video is of one of our newest rescues, Independence, also known as Indy. She is one example of why we try so hard and spend money on animals who are teetering at death’s door. Because you never know. Many horses that we think would never survive, end up thriving. That’s exactly what we’re about: giving a second chance.

Click here for intake Video

Indy is the grey. Freedom is the bay.

Independence and Freedom

Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates on their progress.

Article by Shirley Alarie, Author of “A Healing Haven- Saving Horses and Humans at RVR Horse Rescue” and “A New Home for Dominick”. Coming Soon – “A New Family for Dominick”

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Even non-equestrians are familiar with the world of horse racing. The coveted Triple Crown. Churchill Downs. Kentucky Derby. These are terms we all know.

There is no denying the majestic beauty as the perfectly honed horses thunder around the course, vying for the lead.

However, when the horse is no longer able to compete, either due to injury or age, or just lackluster performance, he loses his value at the track and needs to be rehomed. But how?

Thanks to the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, funding is made available to approved aftercare organizations, to retire, retrain, and rehome thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. The TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups (as described on their website). RVR Horse Rescue has applied for inclusion in the TAA program.

RVR has had a longstanding professional tie to our local racetrack. Because of this relationship, we are notified when an injured horse needs a home, allowing us to step in and do the work we do best. Thoroughbreds seem to be the fan-favorites among our supporters and each one is welcomed to RVR with open arms.

Stunning Hollywood is one of our recent examples. The poor boy suffered suspensory injuries, ending his racing career, but otherwise, he’s a beautiful, muscular specimen. Based on his looks alone, many potential owners would love to adopt him, but only after he is fully healed.

Hollywood is under the care of our top-notch medical team. During his first days, he was confined to his stall, which is the human equivalent of bed rest. His small turn-out area outside his stall will allow him more freedom as his recovery progresses and finally he will join the herd in the larger pasture.

Someday in the coming months he will join his forever family, since he was recently Sponsored to Adopt!

In the meantime, our big fellow is quite the ham. His signature head swag and toothy grin delight our volunteers and his many Facebook followers.

Check out the silly boy in the following videos.

Video of Hollywood Head Swag – by Karen Pack

Video of Hollywood enjoying his birthday treat – by Jen Kraemer

To learn more about the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org

Article by Shirley Alarie, Author of “A Healing Haven- Saving Horses and Humans at RVR Horse Rescue” and “A New Home for Dominick”. Coming Soon – “A New Family for Dominick”

How you can help:

Read our books:

Read our posts:

“Equestrian sports originated over two thousand years ago when the Greeks introduced dressage, a highly regimented training program to prepare their horses for war. [1]

Later, during the Middle Ages, cooperative effort between horse and rider further developed with the introduction of the three-day event, also known as eventing.

This triathlon consists of the original Greek dressage, plus cross country and show jumping. Dressage requires a specific sequence of movements, whereas cross country demonstrates physical endurance and trust between horse and rider while clearing obstacles. Lastly, show jumping tests the technical jumping skills of the horse and rider. Each of these three facets would prepare horse and soldier for situations they might encounter during war.

In time, the same practices evolved into competitive sports as we know them today. The extensive training required to attain the superior skill, cooperation, and trust between human and horse earned them entry as prestigious Olympic sporting events.

Over the years, numerous other equestrian sports also evolved. Some are competitive in nature and some are not. In any case, the cooperation between horse and rider is often a beautiful bonding experience. However, sometimes the human’s desire to win competitive events may lead to abuse of the animal. The value of a prize, or merely competition itself, can supersede humane treatment.” (excerpt from “A Healing Haven”)

At RVR Horse Rescue, the value of the relationship between a human and horse is our first priority. After the rehabilitation is complete, many of our rescues go on to perform beautiful acrobatic dances, as our trainer Sergio demonstrates in the photo with RVR resident, Diamond.

[1] Wikipedia. “Horses in warfare.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_in_warfare (accessed 8/22/15).

Article by [email protected], Author of “A Healing Haven- Saving Horses and Humans at RVR Horse Rescue” and “A New Home for Dominick”

Who knew that horse rescue was even a “thing”? I didn’t.

Sure, I’d seen my share of television advertisements of pathetically thin canine or feline fur balls, with sad, droopy heads and glistening puppy-dog eyes. Small animal shelters have done a good job of getting in front of the public and exposing the dirtbags who abuse dogs and cats. But horses?

When my husband and I first moved to Florida, I needed things to do. Our family and friends were now a thousand miles away, forcing me to find a new path. When I first stumbled upon RVR Horse Rescue in an article in my local newspaper, it seemed like an interesting cause and a perfect opportunity to get involved.

My horse experience was essentially none, so when I showed up at RVR as a novice volunteer, I was thoroughly out of my element and tense about being in the enclosures with the enormous, yet majestic, beauties. But my desire to help the abused and neglected horses was strong enough to overcome my apprehension, so I continued to return.

I quickly realized RVR was truly a special place with a combination of hardworking, caring volunteers and horses who remained peaceful and loving, even after being abused by prior owners. I was in search of my next writing project with a “triumph over tragedy” theme, and I immediately felt that the story of RVR and the remarkable outcome of some of the cases was a perfect fit. I was delighted when Shawn Jayroe, the owner and founder, agreed to a book venture.

During our initial discussions, I was surprised to learn that the very people who were helping the abused animals were actually being helped themselves in incredible ways. The project quickly morphed into an amazing testament of how the horses were actually helping their caregivers heal in various ways. If the horses could talk, I believe they would say, “Your kindness fills my heart with love, peace, and hope that I will breathe back into your soul.”

A Healing Haven

Every person had faced difficult challenges that they overcame over the course of interacting with the horses. Many of the stories were included in the final product, A Healing Haven – Saving Horses and Humans at RVR Horse Rescue.

Animal lovers raved about the book’s focus on the beautiful relationships and positive outcomes. The underlying issue of animal abuse, especially in the equine world, was a wake-up call for those unaware, as I had been. New laws are finally emerging to make animal abusers responsible for their actions – an overdue and welcome change for animal lovers.

At RVR Horse Rescue, the resiliency of our mistreated creatures continues to amaze and inspire us. Their capacity to love and trust after their recovery sets a wonderful example for us humans.

If rescued horses could talk, I believe they would say, “Thank you for being someone who cares. I love you.” But really, they don’t need to speak because they say it all without whispering one word.

Baby Luca’s video below is just one example of so many beautiful endings. LIKE us on Facebook to follow our incredible stories.

Watch Luca’s incredible story here!

Article by [email protected], Author of “A Healing Haven- Saving Horses and Humans at RVR Horse Rescue” and “A New Home for Dominick”