Trouble

We knew the day was coming soon when we went to check on him early this summer. He was sort of "wobbly", but he still had that gleam in his eye and was happy to see us. He followed us around the pasture and loved getting attention. When I left that day, I was almost positive that I would not see him alive again.

Trouble, a.k.a. Domino was rescued in May 2006 from neglect; his owner was not willing to take the necessary steps to maintain a senior horse, so she surrendered him to PER investigators. His age could never be determined; he just didn't have enough teeth to tell, but once in rehab, he blossomed into a very healthy horse, much to the surprise of more than one veterinarian! He was a kind old man and was very sweet natured. He loved people, especially kids and looked forward to getting treats from everyone. Trouble went over the Rainbow Bridge sometime during the night of July 5th, 2010; there was no sign of struggle; he was found at his morning feeding time; lying peacefully in his paddock. PER would like to thank his foster mom, Paula Johnson for giving him a quality life for the past four years. Also, thanks to all the others who took care of him when Paula would take her summer vacations.

When I spoke to Paula this morning, she again told me something that I have heard her say many times, "Trouble was no trouble at all." He will be missed by many and always remembered as a kind old gentleman.

LADY

LADY, PER horse #001, was humanely euthanized by Dr. Hank Lee on 2-7-07 due to complications from her broken pelvis, acquired sometime in her earlier years of neglect. She was no longer able to have a quality life, due to her injury. She was 16 years old. We’re not sure how many years she suffered from neglect, but during the last two years of her life, she was treated with great respect and had the loving care she deserved. We will all miss her. So will Jenny, the donkey, who was always by Lady’s side

TUFFY

Tuffy, an 18 month old filly, never made it into our rescue program, but we feel that she deserves recognition. She mattered as much as all of the horses we were able to save. She was special. She was a fighter, so when Panhandle Equine Rescue brought her into the veterinary clinic on January 30th, 2006, we dubbed her Tuffy. She never came home to us. She died that night, but not without dignity. She fought a hard fight, but just couldn't overcome the horrible infection that had taken over her body. She was too weak, too tired...

The owner was tried and prosecuted for animal neglect.

FARGO

Fargo was rescued along with another horse in September 2005. They were both a body score of 1 and had severe rain rot. They were around 25 years old and the owner was not willing to give them the special care that a senior horse needs to live a quality life, so they were surrendered to PER. Fargo weighed 808 lbs. and after six months of rehabilitation he gained 348 lbs.

In March 2006, he was adopted by Annette Hart of Mobile and spent his days living a peaceful life with five other pasture mates. During his last year, he developed severe arthritis and the pain became unmanageable, so in November 2008, Ms. Hart sadly had him humanely euthanized. Fargo, along with the other horse, Papa, who was rescued with him, will be remembered as one of the worst neglect cases that we have seen. Fargo will be greatly missed.

DOLLY

Dolly was rescued in March 2006. The story was that she was at a Bull Bash and they were using her for kids rides. She was so emaciated and weak, that she almost died the next day. She was surrendered by the owner. When we first received her, she weighed only 756 lbs., close to 300 lbs. underweight. After her rehabilitation, she was adopted by Judy Maines and was boarded with her daughter, Christin Tank. Dolly was a safe trail horse for Ms. Maines and was ridden in horse shows by Christin's daughter. In October 2008, Dolly developed severe colic and had to be humanely euthanized.

She was a very special horse and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

GIDEON

Gideon was a very special donkey that touched all of our hearts. He was rescued in May 2007 from horrible conditions and he had clearly given up on life. Click here to read the story With lots of love and food, he was able to make a miraculous turn around. In July of 2009, he was found in the barn, apparently he had colicked and died sometime during the night. We will always remember Gideon as a tough little guy who will always be a gallant warrior who beat the odds, until it was time for God to take him home.

PAPA

Papa, a Tennessee Walking Horse was in his late twenties when he was rescued from Cantonment, FL. in September 2005, along with his pasture mate, Fargo. They were both in pitiful shape. Papa was very weak, but still could stand, although he was very wobbly. We kept him at Rose Marie Winchester's for a few weeks and worked in shifts throughout the day feeding him very small amounts and treating his rain rot.

When we were sure that he would live, both he and Fargo went to foster care at Joy Campbell's in Jay, FL. Papa weighed only 724 lbs. when he was rescued, but gained 244 pounds in four months, thanks to Joy's TLC and Seminole Feed, who donated Equine Senior and chopped hay.

In March 2006, Papa was transferred to Mill Creek Farm , a retirement home for horses, located in Alachua, FL. where he thrived and lived his last years with his buddies in a pasture being fed a soft mash four times a day, since he didn't have good teeth to chew with. Everyone loved him that came out to visit the farm. A very special couple, Kurt and Kathy Wisner of Lake City, FL. sponsored him. They contributed to his upkeep financially and came out every Saturday to groom, walk and love on him.

Papa died sometime during the night of August 29th, 2010. Thank you Peter and Mary Gregory for giving Papa the love and respect he so richly deserved in his retirement years. He will be greatly missed.

APPRAISE

We first met Appraise in July 2006 while following up on a report from a concerned citizen. He had been neglected and deprived of adequate food, water and shelter. He was being kept at a boarding facility that was no longer in operation. His owner said that he had been abandoned there years ago by a boarder. Now, in his late twenties, he was forgotten about most of the time. When I first saw Appraise, I knew that he needed to be rescued. There was something about him; that look in his eye that seemed to say “Help me”. I promised him that day, that I would “get him out of there”. It wasn’t very long after we gave the owner a chance to do better, that he was surrendered to us. After he was rehabilitated, we had him evaluated under saddle and discovered that he was very well trained. Appraise was a kind horse and had a very gentle spirit. Lindley Barden adopted him in November 2007 and for his remaining years, he was well cared for and very loved. We will always remember Appraise as one of the sweetest horses we ever rescued.

Appraise; In loving memory……

I know my time is running out, for even a horse must die,
But may I share these thoughts with you before we say “good-bye”?
You’ve given me shelter, love and care – and sweet green fields to roam,
Your hands so gentle to the touch and for this old horse a home,
How often in the years gone by so tired and depressed
I longed to wander off alone and find a place to rest,
I dreamed that one day I might be a show horse, grand and great
Blue ribbons on my tack room wall, but this was not my fate;
For laughing children on my back, quite often more than one
Were learning how to sit a horse, to them it was great fun;
Some grown ups often were unkind, they rode me long and hard
Then when my usefulness was gone, I was just an old discard;
I’ll dream no more of applause and fame, I’m content now on the farm
You’ve shown me love and tenderness and kept me safe from harm
I may not see the lilacs bloom nor hear the bluebirds’ song
But for a little while at least I know I did belong
To a special place upon the earth where old horses come to rest
And in my waning years of life I know I had the best.

By Kenneth William Carrick

Papa Pugh

On October 6th, 2011, Trigger; a.k.a. Papa Pugh died peacefully in PER volunteer, Mimi McClelland’s arms. He was rescued in August 2007, when he had been abandoned on a large acreage and was doing well thanks to a good Samaritan who regularly went by to feed him. One day the man noticed that he had a drainage coming from his ear, so being concerned, decided to contact PER. We rescued him and the vet did surgery on his ear. He healed quite nicely and was adopted by Rose Marie Winchester. He became quite fond of another mini, Cindy and they were inseparable from that day forward. No one knew how old Papa Pugh really was; most of his teeth were gone. He was slowly going blind and couldn’t hear very well. Right before he died, his mate, Cindy, gave out a soft whinny as if to say, “It’s okay; you can go over the Rainbow Bridge now.” That is when he closed his eyes for the last time. We are grateful to Rose Marie for giving him such a great life. I know he will be waiting for her over the bridge.