Dove and Sparrow Rescue Blog Update: 10/7/2025

(Sweet Dove begging for treats)

Healing isn't linear.

I wish it was as it would leave so much less in question. However, if it was linear, and always up and to the right, there wouldn't be a need for dependence on the Lord. It would be so much easier if it were predictable.

Dove's healing has been anything but predictable. Laminitis and Founder are some of the most complicated conditions horses can be afflicted with. From what we can conclude based on what we see, Dove has been in chronic founder for an extended period of time. Whether that was caused from a metabolic syndrome like Cushings or IR or mechanical founder due to hoof neglect we can only guess but we're fairly confident both have played into her current state.

She is bright, alert, sweet, engaged, and loves all the attention. However, we're still having trouble getting her feet to a place where she can enjoy life comfortably being a horse not confined to a stall. Our Vet has been incredible and done so much for her. The Jaeckle Centre's Equine Performax team has continued to give her world class daily care and therapies... all of it so generously provided to the Ranch at no cost. We are inexpressibly grateful! We've certainly had to rewirite the textbook on her case as nothing has been predictable.

There are two more non-surgical interventions that we're going to try for her over these next 6 weeks to see if we can get her to a place of getting to enjoy life as a groundwork session horse. Please be in prayer as you have so faithfully been that either (or both) of these would be key to her experiencing life free of pain or needing to be on pain medication. We are content that at the end of these six weeks (which will put us into the first week of December), if we have not achieved an appropriate level of long-term comfort, that we will make the incredibly difficult decision to lay her to rest as it will be the kindest thing for her. We've determined based on data about severe founder cases that any progress made at 6 months is usually where the horse will stabilize out to and any measure of comfort beyond what is seen in that timeframe is usually not seen. We are hopeful based on her fighting spirit and desire to live that her body will catch up! Please join us in prayer!!

Sparrow has done remarkably well. He is within about 60lbs of his weight gain goal and is thriving as he begins his transition from weight gain ration to a sustaining diet. His tumor above his eye has actually SHRUNK in size, which is remarkable to see. We praise Jesus for that progress as it is very rare for sarcoids to shrink. A smaller tumor will make for an easier removal surgery.

Our Equine Manager, Kristin, has had intentional groundwork sessions with him 3 times and is so impressed with his ability to learn.

From Kristin:

From our interactions with Sparrow since he arrived at the ranch, we knew at some point he had received some training. His first session consisted of seeing what he already knew on the ground and where he would need more training. For his second and third sessions we continued to review groundwork skills, building trust and respect on the ground. There are certain situations where Sparrow is hesitant to let his guard down. With patient correction, I am able show him the answer I want from him, and he learns that he is safe.

From my work with Sparrow, the Lord has shown me the importance of staying consistant in our spiritual walk. It has been clear in my interactions with him that Sparrow had received training at some point in his life. However he hadn't been asked to continue working on and improving his skills in quite some time and therefore he has become rusty and out of practice. With horses, it's so important to continue working on their skills if you want them to maintain them. The same concept applies with our faith. If we're not growing in our faith, we're typically regressing. It's so important to be consistently in the word and in prayer to continue growing closer to God.

CLICK HERE to watch a short video of Kristin's third groundwork session with Sparrow.

Donate directly to Dove and Sparrow's care by clicking here.