This is a log that walks you through a trip to auction and the weeks of rehab afterward from a 2008 trip.
Monday, December 29, 2008 - The trip
We left for New Holland at 5:30am and arrived there at 10:30am. It was SO crowded and took about a half hour to find parking. We looked at all of the horses that hadn't been sold yet. There were some adorable draft horses, some minis, a baby donkey and many more horses of literally every shape, age, size and color. We wrote down the numbers of horses that we were interested in rescuing. It was hard to choose but we tried to find some that we would be able to adopt out. We passed some very old, lame horses who needed lots of love. Some went for $30. A chestnut mare came in that they started to auction off. The big crowd didnt seem to startle her. She seemed like a "been there, done that" kind of horse, trotting and loping back and forth for the crowd. She was not the fanciest looking horse- dusty with a shaggy, chestnut coat- but she seemed sweet. The man selling her was telling the crowd how she has been a kids trail horse and is very safe. I didnt remember seeing her in the waiting area but I took my chance and bid on her and won. One down... one to go. Lots of horses went through and eventually one came in that caught my eye. Earlier, in the waiting area, I had seen him. When I had gone up to inspect him he nickered and put his ears forward. "You still like people after all of this? "I asked him. He was a nice looking, bay QH with a brand. He was ridden through the auction bareback with just a simple English snaffle. He seemed a little upset by the crowds but was still handling everything pretty well considering the situation. I bid on him as the second horse and won. As soon as any kill buyer sees that the price is going too high they stop bidding so lucky for these two horses this was the case. We paid, loaded them up (they walked right on the trailer with no problems) and we took the five hour ride back. It had been a 12+ hour day and we were all EXHAUSTED. The horses settled in well and we said goodnight. We felt happy that they are now safe... but also sad, empty remembering the many horses left behind.
Below is the older mare the night we got back from the auction. Notice the lines on her face where the halter was once so tight.
Tuesday, December 30 - First few days
The horses seemed to be content and very quiet today. We didn't take them out much yet because we wanted them to settle in for a day. We did turn them out together for a short while and they seemed to enjoy the fresh air and each others company.
Below is the bay gelding enjoying his turnout time.
January 4, 2009 - They get names!
The horses are doing well and seem very content. The farrier came on New Years Day and they both stood very well while he put their new shoes on. They are still in quarantine but appear to be healthy. The Equus Valley pony club members volunteered this weekend to do stalls and groom the horses. They were a huge help! The horses stood well for the kids and got a nice grooming.
They finally have names!! Pony club members came up with the following names:
Gelding: Benji
Mare: Molly
We will start riding them shortly and will keep you posted on their progress!
January 5, 2009
The horses were finally able to leave their small quarantine pen and go to a large turnout. Boy did they have fun exploring the new area and running around together! I saddled them up today and lunged them for the first time. Both horses stood still while tacking and both knew how to lunge perfectly. Benji, the gelding, is still a little foot sore from the shoeing. His feet weren't in great condition, so the farrier figured he'd be sore for a few days. Molly was 100% sound and very quiet. I started introducing both horses to Parelli Level 1 games and they are starting to enjoy the friendly carrot stick. They both got a good grooming which they seemed to enjoy.
RIght: Molly 
Below: Molly and Benji enjoying their turnout time together.
January 6, 2009 - Molly's First Ride
After feeding, mucking stalls and unfreezing buckets we decided to get Molly ready for her first ride since coming to the rescue. She was introduced to some more parelli games and she responded very well to them. She was licking and chewing and seemed to be very relaxed after a while. Once mounted, she surprised us! This older girl still has a lot of pep! She was very good, considering the fact that she was in a new place, on a cold day, and hadn't been ridden in a week. She had no spook or buck but did have a quick step. After a few minutes we decided it was enough riding for the first day. Poor Benji was whinnying for her the whole time! They are always together and he is now in love! We only have time to groom/ride one horse per day so he will get his turn in a few days. Luckily they seem to be enjoying their new life.
January 7, 2009
It rained all day so the horses got a very good grooming since they could not be trained. I decided to try clipping their whiskers. I turned the clippers on and Benji started blowing and backing up. Not the reaction I was hoping for, but not one that surprised me either. By the looks of them, it's possible that they have NEVER seen a clipper before. Within a few minutes, using some approach and retreat methods, Benji was standing quietly while I clipped his face. I decided to end on a good note and leave his legs for another day. Miss Molly was next and was equally disturbed by this scary, buzzing moster that I was attempting to put up to her face. She was trying to be brave but she is head shy as it is and I didnt want her to get any worse. I shut it off and figured she could live a little longer looking like a horse from the wild.
I also measured both horses today. Benji is between 15hh and 15.1hh. Molly is a large pony, measuring in at just over 14hh!
January 8, 2009
Today, more than ever, I realized the responsibility I have taken on when rescuing these horses. This should not be, and will not be, a quick turn-around adoption. I did not rescue these horses to just quickly hand them off (problems and all) to someone else. I need to wait until they are ready. True, I may not rescue as many horses this way but I know that the ones that I do rescue will be sound in body, mind and soul when they are ready to leave. As I looked into Molly's eyes I could only imagine what her life has been like. She is head shy but tries hard to be a good girl and is so gentle. When you ride her you can feel her tense up under you. I can only assume that she was only taught to run and never relax. The world doesn't scare her, not cars, not noises, not other running horses, etc. It is people that she tends to get nervous around. A nice, older horse like her deserves better than to be stuck at a scary auction. I realized that I need to help her get over her anxietys and to be confident about her new life, and only then have I truly saved her.
Equus Valley Pony Clubbers with Molly and Benji
January 17, 2009
It's been cold and we are trying to keep the horses warm. They get turned out during the day and Benji doesn't mind the snow one bit. The first thing he does every day is roll over and over in it. Both horses have been nothing but friendly and have had great manners for grooming, tacking, lunging, etc. The pony club members have been working with them on weekends which is a great way for the horses to get used to lots of people! Unfortunately Benji is still not sound. We have not determinded the cause of his lameness as of yet, but we are going to see if there are any vets that may take a look at him for a discounted rate. We sat on him bareback with just a halter and lead the other day and he was a great, calm boy. I am sure he will make someone a loving, wonderful horse one day! We still work with them doing the parelli games and they seem to enjoy this "play time". We will keep you posted as we try to stay warm!
Below: Molly in the snow
January 29, 2009
It's been one month since Benji and Molly were rescued and it's been a wonderful journey. With all of the snow and cold weather it has been tough but we have been able to get the horses out every day for turnout and training. Luckily they get to roll and run around in the indoor ring when the days are too icy for outside turnout. Both horses have very different personalities. Benji is more confident and social while Molly is a little more unsure of people (but getting better each day). Both horses have been very safe and loveable. The vet came and tried to find the cause of Benji's lameness. We believe it is something in his hoof so he is on medication and will be getting special shoes from now on. We believe he may have been drugged at the auction so he would appear sound. Either way, he is safe and happy and we are glad that we are able to give him the time and medical attention that he needs. Molly is sound but needed her eye ducts flushed (which she was not happy with, but we got it done). Both horses got a full exam and shots and are on their way to recovery. We are doing everything we can to make the horses comfortable, confident and happy.
February 5, 2009
The horses are doing great. Unfortunately Benji cut his nose pretty badly and we had to call the vet out. Benji was a good patient and is on his way to recovery. Molly has really started coming out of her shell and is so much more confident than she was even one month ago. I am excited for anyone that eventually adopts these horses. They will need lots of TLC but will give lots back in return!
Below: Benji, who always gets himself covered in snow!
Rolling... It's addicting!
February 6, 2009- Farrier Clinic
Farrier, Dave Amon, used Benji in a shoeing demonstration that he did for the Equus Valley Pony Club. Benji loved all of the kids around him and stood really well while he got his new shoes. Dave, really taught everyone a lot and was very gentle when handling the horses.
Below: Benji getting his new shoes
Equus Valley Pony Club and Benji with Farrier Dave Amon
February 9, 2009
Today the horses went out in a large turnout where they were able to run around a little bit. They had a really good time in the warm weather. Unfortunately Benji is still lame in the front and we are doing everything we can to make him better! We have been playing the parelli games with the horses and they are doing very well.
Below: Molly
Below: Benji
March 4, 2009
Desite the cold, it's been a great month and the horses are getting better each day. They have gained a good amount of weight and are in very good health. They have been super friendly to everyone. We have been doing the parelli games with them and they are almost ready to go under tack. We are not in any rush with them because we want them to be calm, and confident when they are finally ridden. This will lead to a safer and happier ride for both them and their rider.
Molly- Molly is slowly but surely coming out of her shell. She still gets nervous when you raise a hand quickly but she is 100% calm with people calmly touching her head and putting her halter on. She is very willing to learn as long as she is confident that nobody will hurt her. Luckily, any abuse she may have endured is all in her past and she will have nothing but happy moments for the rest of her life.
Benji (below) - He is such a curious guy! Whatever he can find to put his mouth on and play with he does! He really enjoyed to run in the indoor after a few days in his stall. He even made it over a few jumps while running around! He is usually relaxed when we work with him and seems to be looking to do more. He loved going out in the deep snow and getting in a good roll!
March 18, 2009
The rescue horses are finally starting to work under tack! We got on Molly and she stood very still and is learning to flex. The vet came and X-rayed Benji's hoof because he has been a little bit lame for a long time. It turns out that he has navicular. We are having a barefoot farrier come and work on his hooves and hopefully he will one day be sound for riding again. In the meantime we can ride him lightly and get him used to lots of groundwork. Both horses are doing really well!
Molly- she is much better with her head! We can throw the lead rope up to her and swing it around her head and she stands without even flinching.
April 8, 2009
Benji was given one month off so we have been doing a little bit of groundwork with him but he is probably bored because he enjoys the games and the interaction with people. The barefoot trimmer told us to walk him every day for 20 minutes and not ride him at all until he gets his feet done again.
Molly has been doing pretty well. We go VERY slow with her because in her past years she must have been told to just RUN RUN RUN. We have been working on getting her to just walk (even with someone leading her) and we have been having success. We are hoping that once she realizes that we only want her to relax, she will be a nice riding/trail horse. She is very calm and doesn't spook at much. She's also got a nice personality and likes people who are nice to her.
Uno was having trouble bearing weight on all four legs and at times he couldn't walk. After a few days of rest he is now able to stand and walk comfortably. He eats a lot and we are hoping to get some good weight back on him.
April 26, 2009-
We had a busy weekend. Uno left for retirement in Texas in the morning. It was very hard to see him go. It was very hot and he has a long trailer ride ahead of him but after that he will be in a great place. Luckily he has been doing great! He looks totally sound and has gained so much weight. We have him on some wonderful natural supplemenets called Dynamite and Free and Easy and he is a different horse than he was one month ago.
A dentist came to work on Molly and Benji's teeth. Molly was very scared and we couldn't even get them done. The dentist said that when it comes to her mouth she is extremely reactive so we will need to have a vet come do it so he can tranquilize her.
April 28- Uno arrives in Texas!
Uno has arrived safely in Texas. He now lives in a herd of other retired horses. He made friends with a horse named Monty (another grey horse) on the trip there and now they stay together. We are hoping that the warmer weather will make him more comfortable since he has arthritis. So far we hear that he is having a blast. It's great when a horse who has worked his whole life can finally just be a horse and run in a big field with friends. We are glad that you all have helped make this possible for Uno who is such a great boy.
(He has his halter on so they can catch him to do his teeth once he is settled in. After that they will take it off)
1500 Acres!
Below: Uno with his new friend
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