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Pasture Pals Equine Rescue

Pasture Pals ER Blog

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Introduction Letter

Posted on December 24, 2014 at 3:13 PM
 
Introduction Letter
 
 A Little more about Pasture Pals Equine Rescue, Inc.
 
We are a recognized 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation, and everyone here is a volunteer. Pasture Pals Equine Rescue, Inc. Our purpose is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome equines; and to educate people on their care and upkeep.
 
I have a full time job, as well as running the rescue, so we need more volunteers that can commit to a schedule and help with the daily chores at the rescue, even if it is only one day a week it helps. We make the rounds to feed, check water, much out stalls, as well as pick out dry lots and holding area around 9am every morning (or before work); and then go back to groom and work on specific projects or animals. We again make the rounds in the late afternoon or early evening (or after work). 
 
We live at 10 Colony Ridge, We have a new location at West Olive Road, and another pasture on Rock Pillar Rd. We are not a professional ranch, training facility, or farm; just people who love animals and couldn't leave them in bad situations.
 
We have quite a verity of horses and donkeys, that all need someone to show them some care and attention. We like to set up a calendar/schedule so that we know who will be here when. The more volunteers we get, who can commit to a schedule, the easier it is to make sure the animals get the care they need, and the volunteers get the training they need to care for them. We need more people who can be consistent in their visits. Right now we do ask that you give us a text or call, preferable at least the day before coming, and let us know when you will be out and for how long. We also put our new volunteers on a text thread, to make it easy for them to coordinate their visits with existing volunteers. If you have a schedule that you can give us, we will put you on the calendar. After some time with us a volunteer can choose a specific animal to work with or dedicate to, the animals do get attached to their people. They will look for their people to come, and get upset/miss them when someone doesn't show up.
 
Right now a few volunteers are working with all the horses on occasion, looking for the “best fit” for them, and Holly has dedicated themselves to a Dottie, but most are still trying to decide on a specific horse to work toward adopting.
 
We are not a training facility, just animal lovers, who could not stand to leave these animals in the situations they were in. If you are just looking to jump on a horse and ride, this is not for you. These animals need time and attention, not just to be used and put away. Care and ground work will be required before anyone ever saddles a horse, and some help around the farm and stables will also be expected of volunteers. Equal time has to be spent on care and working as is spent with the animal of your choice. We really need more people who know ground work, tack, and riding as most of the horses are ride able, some are green broke. While most have learned to like people again, all need time ground work as well as miles under saddle.
 
We welcome trainers who could set up scheduled times to work with the volunteers and our horses.
If a volunteer wants to bring out a trainer to work with them, we are glad to welcome them.
 
I don't really have any "people" just Keith and I. And a few volunteers come out to help now and then, mostly a day or two a week or month with the horses and other animals.
 
Our horses will remain in our care. This is a "volunteer" and/or "onsite lease" situation.
We are also looking for "sponsors" for the animals, to help pay for their medical/farrier/feed bills and lower their overall cost to make it easier to rehome them. While a few animals are with us for life, most are / or will eventually be available for adoption. Adoptions fees are equal to one half (or less) of what we have invested in the animal. We are doing some boarding for horses that we have adopted out, and on a case by case basis.
We are cutting new trails for riding and do have some already at Rock Pillar, round rings for training, stalls, western tack, and holding areas. If you have your own tack you are welcome to bring it, but we will have to see if it will be suitable for the horse as no saddle fits all horses and can cause serious problems if it pinches or slips.
 
We do not have anything fancy. We built everything here ourselves, with what we could find and afford or was donated and are continuing to make things better as we can. We are not money people, so what we have, we built ourselves since May 2012, when we rescued Jessie. We did not set out to be a rescue, but the animals keep coming and they don't care how it looks, just that they are clean, safe, and cared for. We are continuing to make things better as we can. Unfortunately I have had to turn away more horses then we currently care for. I can only do so much, without more help from volunteers, outside funding and donations.
 
Our typical day starts before work, making the rounds to feed everyone, groom everyone, and mucking out stables, holding areas, and dry lots. And ends after work pretty much the same way. It usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to go around feed, water, muck, and check everyone. Between caring for everyone, fixing/building fences, and working full time; we don't have nearly as much time with the animals as we would like. This is why we are giving people the opportunity to volunteer.
 
You would be more then welcome to come out and meet all of us and find out about the animals needs, to care for, and train with them. However; we do not personally have time to train everyone all of the time so experience is a plus. While I am happy to provide access to my Clinton Anderson's Fundamentals and Horsemanship 101; and am providing a computer to watch the DVDs and study the horse working method in an apartment off my house; Keith and I are pretty strapped for time, with working as well as building better places and facilities for the animals. This is one of the main reasons why we thought it would be a good idea to let other people work with the animals and get some experience for themselves, while giving the animals more people time. I can not allow anyone who is under 18 to work with the animals without and adult to supervise, as this is a "at your own risk" situation and I can not be liable for accident or injury.
 
We currently have 18 horses, 8 donkeys, a Bearded Dragon, and 4 dogs that are words of Pasture Pals ER. Most are show quality animals.
 
All of our horses and donkeys need ground work. They all love to be brushed, rubbed, curry combed, and really seam to pretty much like people. Most are rideable.
 
The animals all have their own personalities and personal needs, but then so do we all.
 
Jessie was our first rescue. She is a 10yr old, sorrel, BLM Mustang, Mare. Jessie was very skittish, seriously abused, and starving when she came to us on May 1st 2012. I have had her under saddle/bridal a few times. Recently we have taken her back to her round ring and saddle training, but she very green and needs a dedicated volunteer. She is very smart and loving but has a lot of training to do. Jessie gave birth to Jessie's Little Diamond on 5/3/13. Jessie is a leasable horse.
 
Lady, 16yr old, Tabiano Quarter horse, former show/trick horse then brood mare. She pretty much has done it all and knows it all, but has to be reminded what she already knows, and will be pushy if you let her, but loves to run. Lady is a leasable horse. 
 
Spirit is a 2 yr old, Tri Paint, Quarter horse, Filly. Ladies last Foal. She is learning ground manners and all about round ring and tack. No One will be allowed on her back until she is full grown, this means her withers will be as high as her backside, and she will be at least 2 1/2 to 3yrs old. But she does need to learn ground work and tack so she will be ready when the time comes, and she is a pretty pushing big girl. Spirit is a leasable horse.
 
Dash, 9yr old, Sorrel, Arabian, Gelding. Dash came to us almost completely wild. He had been left in a pasture completely by himself for his entire life, as was only used for stud. It took a lot of patience and time to get Dash over being afraid of every sound and wanting to fight with every horse. He is now a sweet loving, rideable, and amazing horse. He is available for Lease and Adoption.
 
Chester is a 3yr old, White, Small Standard, Donkey, gelding. He was completely feral, when he came to us, but has since learned to like attention and actually comes up to almost everyone wanting to be rubbed and brushed. Chester loves to play tricks on you, such as stealing tack and grooming supplies, and pulling pony tails. Chester is a leasable donkey.
 
Molly, 19yr old, Morgan mare. Loves everyone, loves attention, and is a great with kids. She has some arthritis and has to be kept on supplements. She can not be expected to do much work, but when Molly feels good she is a nice easy ride, steers with the leg, and genuinely likes people. She is definitely “a been there done that” kind of girl. Molly needs someone to love and is an adoptable and leasable horse.
 
Fritz an 11yr old, brown, Miniature Donkey, Jack. He is little attention hog and always butting in to get rubbed. I use Fritz for the people who need to learn, hoof care, and grooming to practice on. He is a great little guard donkey and always greats everyone when they come out to the farm. Fritz has a 4 generation pedigree and was actually breed to be a show animal and a stud. Fritz is a leasable donkey.
 
Buck is a 20 yr or older, Thorough Bred, which we rescued on Dec. 22 2012. He was underweight by 600lbs, skin and bones, his teeth were terrible, and had foot rot that we had to work hard to clear up. He has gained his weight back now and his feet are healed, but he is having some issues with arthritis. He is a very sweet loving big boy. He loves to be brushed and rubbed, and needs a lot of loving care. He is a bit pushy and doesn't realize how big he is sometimes. Buck is starting to act like the Thorough bred that he is, a good trail horse, and is great babysitter for our younger horses. Buck is a leasable horse.
 
Diamond was born on May 3 2013, right here in our back yard stable. His mommy is Jessie and his Sire was Dynamite. Diamond was imprinted when he was born by Alex. At 3am in the dark back yard where he was born all we could see was the Diamond shape on his head and so that became his name. He is a sweet loving attention hog, has to be reminded (like any teenager) that he has manners, and needs someone to love on him and get him used to all the tack and ground work he will need to become a good horse someday.
 
Lucky, 4yr old, sorrel, Appaloosa / Quarter cross, gelding. We brought Lucky home 8/13/13 He loves everyone, is pretty pushy and needs work on ground manners, loads well, is good for the farrier, and is very ride able but green. Lucky is smart and just the right size. He could have potential in many different types of riding. Lucky is a leasable and adoptable.
 
Sweets 16yr old, Sorrel, Mare. We are not sure of her bread at this point but she appears to be gaited. She came to us from the Johnston County Animal Control. She is very sweat and healthy now. She needs time and attention, as she was covered with infected saddle sores, when she came to us, she is afraid of anyone climbing onto the saddle and needs to learn it doesn’t have to hurt.
 
Star, 11 yr old Paint/Appaloosa, Mare. Star came to us from Johnston County Animal Control. She was badly abused and is still frightened of people for the most part. She is learning that we will not hurt her and that people can be good too. She does well on the lead line and moves beautifully. She know ground work and has been ridden, however she is very head shy and we have not yet gotten her calm enough to let us put on a bridal. She will be an amazing horse, when we can get her desensitized to the bridal and people touching her head.  
 
Flossy May, 6yr old, Light Gray, Small Standard Donkey Jenny. Came to us
3-8-13, with elf feet, missing half of an ear, nursing one baby, and pregnant with another. Flossy new nothing of humans, feed, cookies, carrots, apples….or pretty much anything but cows, hay, and being picked on by the other donkeys. She is now a love bug and pretty much comes up to everyone wanting attention. She is at the farm as we found it time to wean her baby Gizmo.
 
Gizmo, 5 month old, Light Gray, Small Standard, baby Donkey, Jack. Came to us 3-8-13 Gizmo jumped right in the trailer, when we went to go get him. He has been curious about people from day one and has become an adorable little man. Right now he has decided G is his grandpa and hangs out with him 24/7 in our back yard. But he loves attention especially little people his size and will come up expecting that his handsome little baby face will win everyone’s heart. Gizmo is a leasable baby donkey.
 
Mr. G, 30yr old, Bay, Tennessee Walker, 16 3 hands tall, several hundred pounds underweight at 1095lbs, came to us 3-11-14 G has no teeth and cannot eat hay, but sweet feed, pellets, and grass work just fine. It is taking a while, but G is getting healthy. Although his skinny face makes him look like a grumpy old man, G has proven to be loving and seeks attention from everyone.
 
Oreo , 9yr old, Tri-color Paint, Quarter Horse, 14 3 hands tall, under weight at 805lbs, came to us on
3-11-14. Oreo came back fast and is ready to ride! He has gained back his weight and turned out to be a in your pocket kind of guy. Oreo really needs his own human to love him and is available for lease and adoption.
 
Dottie, 15yr-20yr old, Leopard Appaloosa, Mare, 15 2 hands tall, under weight by 300lbs at 832lbs, came to us on 4-7-14. Dottie was at deaths door when her owner called us to come get her. A untreated eye infection from 3yrs earlier had left her eyes blind, dead, and rotting in her head. We have helped Dottie gain some weight, and had the eyes removed. Now she is feeling better and just wants to go all the time. Dottie needs a dedicated person, who can love her, and patiently lead her around so that she can learn her surroundings. She is a sweet mare and when healthy will make a good lead pony. Dottie is a Leasable and Adoptable horse.
 
Beauty is a new arrival and at the farm putting on some much needed weight and getting used to everyone. She is rideable, but does best with a hackamore or bitless bridal. She is very much in need of a person of her own and lots of loving care.
 
Comet, 9yr old, Tricolor, Paint/Arabian, Gelding, 14 1 hands, 664lbs. New to Pasture Pals, very sweet and seeks attention, needs to gain weight, learn ground work, and be broken to ride.
 
Sasha, 10yr old, White over Sorrel, Paint/Arabian, Mare, 13 2 hands, 622lbs. New to Pasture Pals, Very sweet, likes attention, needs to gain weight, learn ground work, and be broken to ride.
 
Storm, 13yr old, White, Mustang, Stallion. Storm is almost completely wild and has spent 10 years in a tiny little 10ft stall. He has just arrived and will take a lot of time to overcome the abuse and neglect he has suffered the last 10 years.
 
We also have recently had 4 new miniature donkey’s arrive. Rosco, Sadie, Britany, and Dollie. They were vetted and given all their shots and a clean bill of health, so now it is time to get them adopted too!
 
Pearl a 6yr old, Boyer mix, goat, who was dumped in my horse trailer by someone. She is heavy with kids and should be giving birth any day now.
 
Donkeys learn very much the same way as horses and can be trained with the same methods. I have done some round ring work with the donkeys.
 
We also have Little Girl, a 10yr old, black and tan, Mini Doxy; Dust a 3 yr old, Blond Lab Mix; Pinkie a 2yr old, Blond Sheppard/bull mix; and Buddy a little Beagle that followed Pinky home one day. Pinky and Buddy are in need of rehoming. All the dogs love everyone. They may try to lick you to death, but other then that they are not at all dangerous.
 
Most of the animals have been abused, completely neglected, or both in their former lives. So we are trying to be very informative about them to anyone who is interested in getting involved with them. If there is a particular animal, you are interested in let me know and I will tell you more about them and their background. The most important thing to us is that people be respectful of everyone and not overly aggressive/mean with the animals or each other.
 
We talk to a lot of people who are interested, and really like to set up time to talk and for you to meet all the animals. That is the best way to see if we can make a good fit. It usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours, to make the rounds and find out about everyone. I have turned a few people away that just weren't looking for what we have to offer and would not be a good fit for us. If you are just looking to come out and pick a horse and ride, this is not for you. If you just want to come out and ride and leave all the care/work to us, this is not for you. Also, if you are looking for a fancy "ranch", we don't have one. This is all about caring for and spending time with the animals.
 
If you are still interested, please call or text. I am always available on my days off work, in the morning before work on some days, and the after work on other days, my schedule is always changing. I cannot answer my phone at work, so texting can be more effective.
 
Alex 919-320-7272 Keith 919-422-0137 [email protected]
You can also find more information about us on our Facebook Page Pasture Pals Equine Rescue, Inc. if you click on Photos and then on Albums you can see a pictorial history of each of the equines in our care.

Categories: Introductions

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86 Comments

Reply Alex Daniels
1:49 AM on December 25, 2014 
Introducing Keith and Alex Daniels, Founders of Pasture Pals ER:

Keith's father was a horse and mule trainer. He has 30+ yrs of experience with equines and bovine, from working with his father to train "unmanageable mules/horses" to having his own farm.
Alex grew up with lots of animal and has a strong thirst for knowledge always researching and learning new and better techniques for care and handling. She has years of experience with animal care and training from equine to rodent.
Reply Michelle Duke
6:31 PM on July 17, 2016 
Yesterday was my first official training day. Since I am over an hour away and work full-time, I can only physically volunteer on Saturdays. I had been there a couple of weeks already, but, due to circumstances – such as an emergency rescue of 5 mini-ponies and a fund-raiser – this was my first time learning the feeding and care routine used by PPER.

Here’s how the routine goes. Each animal has their own feed bowl and feed requirements. They need to be fed in specific order and areas to minimize competition for their food from the other animals. Once they are all fed, hay nets must be filled for each separate area – this takes longer than you would imagine – and hung where the horses can get to them but they cannot be touching the ground or the horses might get their hooves caught. Next the mucking begins, all holding areas and stalls must be cleaned of manure. With 50 animals, you can imagine the time it takes to clean up! Water levels are assessed and refreshed. Lastly the food needs to be mixed so it’s ready for the next feeding time. Mixing feed involves lifting 50 pound feed bags and 50 Chaffhaye bags and mixing the two together. Lastly, the food dishes are gathered and stored so that the animals don’t play frisbee with them.

Whew! That is a lot to do! What I described is done twice a day. Every day. At three locations.

Yesterday, being my first day, Alex had to take the time to show me how much to feed each animal, how to fill and hang the hay nets and the mucking out. Let’s just say it rained. It rained A LOT and thundered and flashed lightning. But, as Alex said, horses still have to eat, even if it’s storming. Even if it’s a holiday. Even when your rubber boots are squishing and you just couldn’t get any wetter if you tried.

So that’s just one reason the word dedication comes to mind. There are other reasons too, that I will discuss in my next blog.

And just in case you interpreted all of this as whining – let me reassure you, I loved every single minute of it!

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