The horses on this page are either new arrivals, or those who have health problems and who are not currently available for adoption. Often these horses all have special needs and you can help by making a donation to help pay for vet care, farrier work, and food.
You can help us help rehabilitate one of these horses by becoming a sponsor. Just choose the horse you'd like to sponsor, and email us at contact@fourcornersequinerescue.org and we'll set you up! Sponsorships are $100 a month. These guys deserve your help!
Stretch
Stretch arrived at FCER (actually, the vet clinic) on 4-2-2011. After 2 weeks of watching him languish at the sale barn with a slaughter sticker attached to him, the owner finally gave him to us. All done through an intermediary, of course. Rescues are usually not welcome at sale barns. Stretch stunk. The odor was putrid. With the skin peeled off his spine from withers to hip, he had dried crusty puss in streaks down his sides. He was in a pen with 40 or so other horses, all marked for slaughter and the horrendous trip to Mexico. Stretch was picked on, and emaciated on top of all the rest of the obvious wounds. He's a five year old off the track thoroughbred gelding. X-rays revealed at least 11 fractured vertebrae in his withers. The infection required weeks of intensive therapy. A particularly stubborn pocket of infection just would not clear up. Finally, it did. After 4 weeks Stretch was able to come to FCER to continue his rehabilitation. His back is healing. Will he ever be ridable? It's doubtful.
A note from Debbie - CEO and Founding Director. I have never before put an editorial comment in the rehab section with an incoming horse. The treatment Stretch received before coming here is absolutely outrageous. How did he come to have 11 fractures in the vertebrae in his withers? The obvious answer is trauma. The vet informs us that the fractures and the skinned back did NOT happen at the same time. The fractures came first. Could the skinned backbone be the result of a tall horse crammed into a double decker trailer? It very likely. And finally to address the emaciation. It takes months for a horse to get this thin, even a racehorse. Who could have watched this horse endure all he has and not done something humane for him? Who could be so heartless as to stuff this suffering animal on yet another semi truck to endure a painful beyond belief journey to the hell hole of Mexico? And all this happened right here in the United States. Where are the authorities? Where is our public consciousness? How loudly do we have to say - NO MORE! Slaughter breeds cruelty - no if's, ands, or buts. It is time to stop this unnecessary, inhumane and shameful dirty little secret in America.
Stretch a month into rehab
Jackson
Jackson was named for the location he was found by the benevolent lady that found him. Apparently a stray, he soon showed signs of sickness before we could get him out of there. After 4 days of legal wrangling, we got Jackson to the vet. He had West Nile virus, a frequently fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. A week later he was well on his way to recovery, and was released by the vet to come to FCER. No owner has stepped forward to claim him. He is a semi-feral horse, but has been handled at some point. About 14 HH, 4 years old and (was) a stallion. Jackson will continue rehab while we work at gaining ownership. Then he will be evaluated and be available for adoption.
Barkley
Barkley came to FCER extremely lame in Feb., 201, an Off the Track Thoroughbred that is 6 years old. Slowly, but surely, he's improving. We expect him to make a complete recovery in about a year and be ready for adoption. He's a tall drink of water - about 17 HH. But he's cuddly and loveable!
Pretty Lady & Darlin'
Untouchable at the sale barn, Pretty Lady was fostered by a kind lady in Corrales until we could open space up here at FCER. She is a young mare, we think about 5 years old. Her baby, Darlin' is also leery of people. Both are coming around slowly and we can now halter and brush Pretty Lady. We're making progress with handling her feet, and she'll be ready for the farrier soon. Once Darlin' is weaned at the end of September, both horses will be available for adoption.
Emerald & Darby
Emerald gave birth to Darby at the sale barn while waiting to be rescued.Darby was a very sick little boy and we weren't?t sure he?d make it.He is ready to be weaned and then will be up for adoption.His fee will be $250.Emerald, on the other hand, has been badly abused.She just now comes to people for treats.She will remain in rehabilitation while we work with her social skills and try to rebuild some trust.
Lassie & Flicka
Lassie was pregnant when we pulled her from the slaughter pen at the sale barn. She has since given birth to Flicka, an absolutely gorgeous palomino filly. Once Flicka has been weaned in late October, we will evaluate Lassie's training and place both of the up for adoption.
Brandi & Macey
Brandi was pregnant when we rescued her from the slaughter pen at the sale barn. She gave birth to Macey, a chunky little filly with energy to spare! Once Macey is weaned she will be made available for adoption. Brandi will be evaluated to find out her skill level and then she will be available for adoption too. Brandi does have a deformed rear hoof from an old injury, and we are not sure she can be ridden.
Hope
Hope is an older mare rescued from the slaughter pen at the sale barn in March of 2011. She's missing some teeth but has enough tenacity for any two horses and she's going to be just fine. Our "HOPE" is that Hope will become sound and healthy enough to teach some lucky youngster the joy of horses.
Slim Jim
When Slim's owner got deported Slim came to FCER. At the time he was a 5 year old stallion. Not friendly and obviously abuse, we are still working on gaining trust. He still does occasional try to bite. His feet were horrid when he came, and we are working on that too. He has been gelding, which helped improve life considerably for all concerned. Slim will remain in rehabilitation until we have gained his trust and he can be trusted to behave himself. Then he will be evaluated and made available for adoption.
Biscuit
Biscuit is also from the Sale Barn. She's a very nice buckskin yearling. As far as we can tell she has never been worked with, although she is willing to try. She is now fairly comfortable with people being around, but not touching her yet.
Burgundy
Burgundy is a young bay mustang gelding also from the sale barn. We think he was gelded at the sale barn in preparation for a trip to Mexico. Burgundy doesn't trust people and has never been trained as far as we can tell. It's taken a bit of time just to have him stand close to a human and not run off.
Missy & Sunshine
Missy was also from the Slaughter Pen. She has a beautiful baby girl now that we named Sunshine. Missy is a classic Quarterhorse in body type. Chunky and with the classiest head on the place! And, she's gentle to boot. Missy leads, load, and stands for the farrier. We think she's saddle trained, but will know more next month. And she already has a potential family! Sunshine is just that - our little ray of Sunshine. She's just like her Mamma in disposition and we all love her.
Chickadee & Dove
Chickadee is from the Slaughter Pen at the Sale Barn. She was pregnant and very defensive when we got her. She now has a beautiful bay filly and they are both doing great. Chickadee looks to be about 4 years old and stands about 14.2 HH. She does lead, load and stand for the farrier. We'll check on riding training when Dove is weaned in Sept. Dove is a very curious little extrovert and just loves people. That little girl is going to be somebody's partner for life.
Cookie
A sweet older Mustang mare, Cookie came to FCER because her owner developed health issues that make it impossible for him to continue to care for her. Cookie is very nice, but we don't think she can be ridden anymore. She'll remain in rehab while she is evaluated.
Barkley
Barkley is a 5 year old Thoroughbred gelding off the track. He is recovering from an injury that rendered him lame. Barkley is a very nice gentleman. He's easy to handle, leads, loads, stands quietly for vet and farrier. His left front is improved daily, and we anticipate a full recovery.
Gramps
Gramps came to us from the Navajo Reservation. Once upon a time he had been a roping horse. Time had taken it's toll though, and Gramps was handed down to the grandchildren to learn on. Now older, Gramps became a special needs horse that the family couldn't provide. So, he came to FCER. His spirit is strong, and Gramps is still very actively engaged in life. So, we'll feed him and take care of his medical needs, then see what the future holds for this grand old man.
Gramps
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer is a very well trained 24 year old TB mare. She was surrendered to the rescue by a family who could not afford to keep her, as Dancer required extensive rehabiliation therapy. FCER has spent over a year getting Dancer's hooves in shape and puting weight back on her.
While Dancer's eventing days are over, she still has plenty of knowledge to share with a young student willing to learn.
UPDATE 2-17-2009 - Dancer's frogs in both rear feet have suffered a relapse and have been somewhat grown over by the sole. The sole was cut away so that the frog can re-emerge. This process will take some time, and Dancer will probably be retired to FCER once this is done. Here she will be used as a lesson horse for new volunteers.
FCER is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. New Mexico Livestock Board Equine Rescue License #08-0001-06.
