These are the horses and donkeys that you are helping with your generous donations.
Included here are the Horse Stories, a short story of how each of our
animal friends came to live at the sanctuary.
Included here are the Horse Stories, a short story of how each of our
animal friends came to live at the sanctuary.
Nikki
Nikki is a 26-year-old MorganXArab, and belonged to a good friend of Debora’s who had passed away unexpectedly in 2014, leaving four horses behind. Her husband didn’t know what to do with the horses and was thinking of taking them to the horse sale. Debora knew none of them were trained enough to sell as riding horses and would end up on the meat truck. Debora took the horses and asked the board members to vote on adding “rescue” to the program, and the rescue function of Wings was born.
Homes were found for two of the horses, and Debora took the other two. One passed away from an embolism shortly thereafter, so Debora ended up with just Nikki. Nikki was trained but had a reputation as being a handful, although Debora never found that to be the case. Nikki and Debora went on many trail rides with no issues. Nikki turned out to be insulin resistant and foundered as a result. She also developed Cushing’s Disease and has chronic lameness issues. Debora hopes to get her healed to point where she is rideable again.
Nikki is a 26-year-old MorganXArab, and belonged to a good friend of Debora’s who had passed away unexpectedly in 2014, leaving four horses behind. Her husband didn’t know what to do with the horses and was thinking of taking them to the horse sale. Debora knew none of them were trained enough to sell as riding horses and would end up on the meat truck. Debora took the horses and asked the board members to vote on adding “rescue” to the program, and the rescue function of Wings was born.
Homes were found for two of the horses, and Debora took the other two. One passed away from an embolism shortly thereafter, so Debora ended up with just Nikki. Nikki was trained but had a reputation as being a handful, although Debora never found that to be the case. Nikki and Debora went on many trail rides with no issues. Nikki turned out to be insulin resistant and foundered as a result. She also developed Cushing’s Disease and has chronic lameness issues. Debora hopes to get her healed to point where she is rideable again.
Pegasus
Abigail
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Peggy & Abby
These two mini-horses, Pegasus and Abigail, were rescued by a friend of Debora's in September, 2021. She saw them in a field and saw how overgrown their hooves were and stopped to ask the owner if he needed a home for the horses. He said he had rescued them from someone else who had a neglected mini-horse herd, and his farrier didn't know how to deal with the overgrown hooves. Debora immediately started working on their hooves after sedating them. Pegasus' hooves were easier to deal with than Abigails, who's hooves grew out to the side and are causing joint problems in her feet. Both minis are very sweet and approachable. Abigail is a dwarf mini, so she's about the size of large dog. They are both much more comfortable now, but both will need a lot of dental care. You can see more pictures on our Facebook page. 11-22-21 Update: Abby and Peggy have settled in nicely with the other mini-horses and the mini-donkeys. Debora continues to work on Abby's hooves and her ability to move around is improving. We even saw her run one day! Her abcessed ear, which required surgery, is completely healed and she now likes to have her ears rubbed. |
Wilson
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Wilson
Wilson is a 28-year old Thoroughbred gelding who was rescued by a woman who has other horses, and although she did her best to take care of him, Wilson didn't fit in with her herd and she needed to find him a home. He'd had some vet care but was very underweight. He's been getting mash three times a day and all the hay he wants. 11-22-21 Update: Wilson has now gained enough weight that the ribs visible in this picture are no longer visible and he no longer looks so bony. This is a major improvement! You can see in the second picture that his rib, chest and withers areas have all filled in. We've been able to decrease his feed a bit, and although he still is very food-focused, he's definitely become more friendly and sociable. |
Cisco & Poco
This 30-year-old Appaloosa (Cisco) and 18-year-old mini-donkey (Poco) were rescued November 23, 2021 from a field near Wings. The owner, who lived across town, was found dead in his home and no one knew where his animals were. They were found in a pasture with very little grass and no water and Debora brought them to Wings immediately.
A generous Wings volunteer sponsored their immediate care, and their health and training needs are being evaluated. They are very attached to each other and are sweet and sociable.
This 30-year-old Appaloosa (Cisco) and 18-year-old mini-donkey (Poco) were rescued November 23, 2021 from a field near Wings. The owner, who lived across town, was found dead in his home and no one knew where his animals were. They were found in a pasture with very little grass and no water and Debora brought them to Wings immediately.
A generous Wings volunteer sponsored their immediate care, and their health and training needs are being evaluated. They are very attached to each other and are sweet and sociable.
Badger
Badger is a 24-year-old American Paint whose owner passed away. A trust set up for the owner’s estate included boarding for her two horses but the family eventually wanted to get rid of that expense. They got a lump sum payout to Debora to help pay for both horses’ care at the facility and Badger came with another horse named Levi. Levi got adopted locally but Badger has some back issues and wasn't ready to be ridden. He’s been at Wings for 3-4 years and has had a lot of back work done.
He’s a sweet horse, but hard to adopt out because he's big for a companion horse and eats a lot. People want little horses for companions that aren't so expensive to keep up. He'd be good for kids, could be adopted as a companion or for light trail riding as long as his back stays in good shape.
Badger is a 24-year-old American Paint whose owner passed away. A trust set up for the owner’s estate included boarding for her two horses but the family eventually wanted to get rid of that expense. They got a lump sum payout to Debora to help pay for both horses’ care at the facility and Badger came with another horse named Levi. Levi got adopted locally but Badger has some back issues and wasn't ready to be ridden. He’s been at Wings for 3-4 years and has had a lot of back work done.
He’s a sweet horse, but hard to adopt out because he's big for a companion horse and eats a lot. People want little horses for companions that aren't so expensive to keep up. He'd be good for kids, could be adopted as a companion or for light trail riding as long as his back stays in good shape.
Lola
Lola is a beautiful Arabian/Quarter horse mare about 15 years old. She belonged to a LayzD client and Debora was called to trim her hooves. The owner took good care of Lola but she had a club foot on the front that was getting worse and worse. The owner had numerous farriers come and try to trim it, but it developed a crack in the front that ran all the way up to the hairline. The vet took x-rays and she had an infection on the coffin bone. Lola was high strung and became hard to handle.
Debora took Lola before Wings was established and with diet changes and her hoof care Lola's hoof became better, the infection went away and the crack grew out.
You could say Lola is one of the first Wings horses. Today Lola still has a club hoof but she is sound and healthy. The hoof give her no problems, she is well behaved and easy to work with. The previous owner stays in touch and is a generous supporter of Wings.
Lola is a beautiful Arabian/Quarter horse mare about 15 years old. She belonged to a LayzD client and Debora was called to trim her hooves. The owner took good care of Lola but she had a club foot on the front that was getting worse and worse. The owner had numerous farriers come and try to trim it, but it developed a crack in the front that ran all the way up to the hairline. The vet took x-rays and she had an infection on the coffin bone. Lola was high strung and became hard to handle.
Debora took Lola before Wings was established and with diet changes and her hoof care Lola's hoof became better, the infection went away and the crack grew out.
You could say Lola is one of the first Wings horses. Today Lola still has a club hoof but she is sound and healthy. The hoof give her no problems, she is well behaved and easy to work with. The previous owner stays in touch and is a generous supporter of Wings.
Spike
Spike is a 21-year-old Arab Quarterhorse, whom Debora met in 2010 when she was hired to train him and trim his hooves. She took him on trail rides to train him and for years the owners' grandkids would ride him in the summer and Debora would ride him fall, winter and spring. The owners health declined so she gave him to Bitterroot Therapy Riding as a therapy horse. When they closed Spike was sold to a family who were novice horse people and put him out to pasture. Spike is insulin resistant and didn't do well on pasture. He foundered and his insulin resistance got really bad. Then he injured his foot and it didn't get treated well and it healed badly.
In the spring of 2020 Debora got a call from a friend who knew of a horse who needed help. As she described him, Debora realized it was Spike! She had her friend bring him to Wings. His feet were in very bad shape, he was skinny and looked terrible, which broke her heart. She fixed his diet and is working on his feet to get him sound. He's very well-trained (by Debora) and may be adoptable to the right person.
Spike is a 21-year-old Arab Quarterhorse, whom Debora met in 2010 when she was hired to train him and trim his hooves. She took him on trail rides to train him and for years the owners' grandkids would ride him in the summer and Debora would ride him fall, winter and spring. The owners health declined so she gave him to Bitterroot Therapy Riding as a therapy horse. When they closed Spike was sold to a family who were novice horse people and put him out to pasture. Spike is insulin resistant and didn't do well on pasture. He foundered and his insulin resistance got really bad. Then he injured his foot and it didn't get treated well and it healed badly.
In the spring of 2020 Debora got a call from a friend who knew of a horse who needed help. As she described him, Debora realized it was Spike! She had her friend bring him to Wings. His feet were in very bad shape, he was skinny and looked terrible, which broke her heart. She fixed his diet and is working on his feet to get him sound. He's very well-trained (by Debora) and may be adoptable to the right person.
Patches
Dancer
Dancer is a 24-year-old mini-horse who was born and bred in the Bitterroot valley. A retired couple bought Dancer, her daughter Lucy and another mini sometime around 2008, and eventually became unable to care for them. They were adopted out to a family in Missoula who took very good care of them. Eventually that owner retired and ended up traveling a lot, and felt bad that the animals were not getting enough attention. She called Debora and asked her to find a home for them, so Debora brought them to Wings. Dancer is insulin resistant and can’t be on pasture, and has other special needs. She will remain at Wings with her daughter Lucy for the rest of her life.
Dancer is a 24-year-old mini-horse who was born and bred in the Bitterroot valley. A retired couple bought Dancer, her daughter Lucy and another mini sometime around 2008, and eventually became unable to care for them. They were adopted out to a family in Missoula who took very good care of them. Eventually that owner retired and ended up traveling a lot, and felt bad that the animals were not getting enough attention. She called Debora and asked her to find a home for them, so Debora brought them to Wings. Dancer is insulin resistant and can’t be on pasture, and has other special needs. She will remain at Wings with her daughter Lucy for the rest of her life.
Lucy
Lucy is a 14-year-old mini-horse who was born and bred in the Bitterroot valley. A retired couple bought Lucy, her mother Dancer and another mini sometime around 2008, and eventually became unable to care for them. They were adopted out a family in Missoula who took very good care of them. Eventually that owner retired and ended up traveling a lot, and felt bad that the animals were not getting enough attention. She called Debora and asked her to find a home for them, so Debora brought them to Wings. Lucy has Cushing’s Disease and is insulin resistant so she can’t be on pasture. She will remain at Wings with her mother Dancer until Dancer passes. After that, adoption may be a possibility if someone can be found to manage her special needs. Lucy needs a sponsor for her Cushings medication.
Lucy is a 14-year-old mini-horse who was born and bred in the Bitterroot valley. A retired couple bought Lucy, her mother Dancer and another mini sometime around 2008, and eventually became unable to care for them. They were adopted out a family in Missoula who took very good care of them. Eventually that owner retired and ended up traveling a lot, and felt bad that the animals were not getting enough attention. She called Debora and asked her to find a home for them, so Debora brought them to Wings. Lucy has Cushing’s Disease and is insulin resistant so she can’t be on pasture. She will remain at Wings with her mother Dancer until Dancer passes. After that, adoption may be a possibility if someone can be found to manage her special needs. Lucy needs a sponsor for her Cushings medication.
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Scooter
Scooter is a 27-year-old Quarterhorse who came to the sanctuary with Brighty, a 21-year-old mini-donkey at the end of May, 2021. Debora got a call from a gentleman who’s mother had just passed away, and there were no family members who were in a position to take the animals. He decided to relinquish them to the sanctuary and make a financial contribution to help offset the cost of their care. Scooter has a little arthritis in his knees, but otherwise he is in really good shape and could be ridden lightly with a little tune-up. He would make a good companion or kids horse. Brighty has been adopted out to a good home. |
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Honey |
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Stetson |
The Donkeys
Wild donkeys are rounded up on government lands by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a method of controlling the wild population, not because they are sick, injured or starving. They are auctioned around the country, usually with wild mustangs who have also been rounded up for sale. Many times these donkeys are rescued from or relinquished by people who are not prepared to tame and train a wild donkey.
Wild donkeys are rounded up on government lands by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a method of controlling the wild population, not because they are sick, injured or starving. They are auctioned around the country, usually with wild mustangs who have also been rounded up for sale. Many times these donkeys are rescued from or relinquished by people who are not prepared to tame and train a wild donkey.
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Nate
Nate came from the BLM auction in 2019, along with Francis and Gibbs, who have been adopted. At the time, Debora had been getting a lot of requests for donkeys, so when she went to check out the donkeys they had those three left. Instead of leaving them to be hauled to another auction event, Debora decided to take them all. Although they turned out to be much harder to halter train than she thought they’d be, the goal was to get them to the point where they were gentle enough to be handled and can be adopted out. Nate will most likely stay at Wings because he is a character in a book that is used a Wings therapy program for children. He needs to be halter trained enough to be able to catch when he’s in the pasture with the other horses. |
Louise
Louise was rescued a few years ago, along with another donkey named Thelma, by a valley woman who drove a UPS truck up on the reservation and saw them in a field. They were in really bad condition so she called reservation police, who came out and confiscated them. A mare who was with the donkeys was too sick to be moved and was euthanized. The woman got the donkeys to her home in Corvallis and then asked Debora to take them. They could hardly get Louise to walk, but they got them both to the sanctuary. Debora fixed their feet, and within a year Thelma was adopted out. Louise had a much harder time, as she had bedsores and laid down all the time. Her blood work showed that she had Cushing’s Disease, so it was a long, slow rehab process. Her feet had a lot of abscesses, which took a long time to heal, especially because she didn't like having her feet worked on. Louise is in much better shape now but can’t be on pasture and is on prescription medication. She won't be adopted out unless someone is qualified to take care of her, but she is looking for a sponsor.
Louise was rescued a few years ago, along with another donkey named Thelma, by a valley woman who drove a UPS truck up on the reservation and saw them in a field. They were in really bad condition so she called reservation police, who came out and confiscated them. A mare who was with the donkeys was too sick to be moved and was euthanized. The woman got the donkeys to her home in Corvallis and then asked Debora to take them. They could hardly get Louise to walk, but they got them both to the sanctuary. Debora fixed their feet, and within a year Thelma was adopted out. Louise had a much harder time, as she had bedsores and laid down all the time. Her blood work showed that she had Cushing’s Disease, so it was a long, slow rehab process. Her feet had a lot of abscesses, which took a long time to heal, especially because she didn't like having her feet worked on. Louise is in much better shape now but can’t be on pasture and is on prescription medication. She won't be adopted out unless someone is qualified to take care of her, but she is looking for a sponsor.
Zoe & Ariel
Zoe and Ariel, 33 years old and 16 years old, are mini-donkeys who were rescued by the same owner that asked Debora to take Lucy and Dancer. They have been together for all of Ariel’s life, so they won’t be separated. They both have adipose fat pads and can’t be on pasture so they need to be managed properly. When Zoe passes away, Ariel may be adopted to an appropriate caregiver, although senior donkeys and horses can have a hard time transitioning to a new home.
Zoe and Ariel, 33 years old and 16 years old, are mini-donkeys who were rescued by the same owner that asked Debora to take Lucy and Dancer. They have been together for all of Ariel’s life, so they won’t be separated. They both have adipose fat pads and can’t be on pasture so they need to be managed properly. When Zoe passes away, Ariel may be adopted to an appropriate caregiver, although senior donkeys and horses can have a hard time transitioning to a new home.