Rescue Blog Update: 8/27/2025

We now reach the "mundane" part of rehabilitation where the differences aren't as noticeable and the updates are underwhelming- its the "every day" of rescue work. Mucking paddocks, cleaning troughs, bringing fresh feed and hay, baths, and the beginnings of intentional training time with the goal of keeping "fireworks" to a minimum. Its the part that becomes a bit "boring" to read about.

But that is true with life as well, isn't it? Social media, blogs, and conversations are all about the highest highs and the lowest lows, yet 95% of our lives are lived in the every-day middle, the "mundane". And it's the faithfulness and dependence on God in the middle that determines how we respond in the lows and the thrill of rejoicing in the highs.

Sparrow continues to thrive. We are excited to get his weight gain number when he goes in for tumor removal surgery in November but we're guessing it's at around 225lbs as of today. He is looking fantastic. Putting on muscle, has a bit of a hay belly, and is responding well to everyone's daily attention. We are working constantly on him desiring to come toward us, rather than away and allowing it to be his choice and curiosity that drives desiring attention. He is quite the indipendendent "I'm fine by myself, I don't need humans, thank you" kind of horse, yet there is a spark of curiosity driving his desire to interact with us. We do believe at some point this energetic fella had work. What type? We have no idea. But we will give him a great foundation built on trust, respect, and understanding and see where his calling lies.

He had his teeth floated and did great- so much dental pathology! Thankfully, everything cleaned up well under the expert hand of our equine dentist, Jay Atwill. They have been neglected for years and he undoubtedly feels better now that he can simply chew properly!

Dove continues to progress slowly up and to the right. Her personality continues to win every heart that comes her way. She knows she's to be treated like royalty and is still soaking in every moment of therapy that is being so generously provided by the expert team at The Jaeckle Centre. We cannot thank them enough for all the support and care they are pouring into this precious mare. Whenever someone enters her stall, she stops eating and gently draws close for scratches in all of her favorite itchy spots.

And speaking of eating, check out our girl having gained 140lbs ON HAY ALONE! (and still not having yet had her teeth floated!). We are still keeping her weight gain very slow to allow her feet time to heal but her ravenous appitite is certainly packing on those pounds. We also have learned that she has grown a good amount of sole depth on her feet! This is incredible news as it means that the sinking of her coffin bone has stopped and there is now depth between the tip of that bone and the outside world. The therapeutic intervention with her special shoes is doing it's job. There are still other things we are waiting onbatedd breath for, but she is continuiously progressing in the right direction and has a lot of fight in her. She has been standing much more frequently than she used to and overall seems more comfortable.

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support, pray for, and give toward Dove and Sparrow's recovery. We are so very grateful!

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