Sanctuary horses are those that will never leave us. Whether they are elders or have medical/behavioral issues. For them, we serve as both haven and forever home. While we will give adoptive consideration to a select few, given special circumstances, these equines will otherwise be with us until they cross the Rainbow Bridge.
When you visit us, these are the equines that you will always see, these are the ones that serve in our equine therapy program. The consistency of these horses and the knowledge that they will never leave is important to our volunteers, even if the horses do require a lot of daily responsibility. Because these horses are a constant in a world that is far too liable to change in new and anxiety-inducing ways, you can count on their love and their presence to help you overcome your battles.
Bo
Bo and Walker were our first intakes, and part of their story resides on our about us page. They started us off on our journey as HHHR when they were abandoned by their owners and left to starve. Luckily, we were able to contact the owners and get them relinquished into our care. Bo is an older fellow with hip problems and his stifles often stick. However, his personality has won him the hearts of the public and the mares, whom he still pines for despite his gelded state. His charm and charisma made him our first influential PR representative and he used to attend many of our events.
Walker found his forever home, but Bo is looking for his very own sponsor!
Dolly
Dolly, the boss mare of our sanctuary herd, was relinquished to us in August of 2013 by a frustrated owner who was threatening to shoot her. She was pregnant at the time and gave birth to the first foal ever born at Howey Horse Haven Rescue. She is named Haven and was happily adopted out after the weaning process. Dolly is in her twenties and certifiably “fluffy”.
General a.k.a. Donkey Donk
Our lovely miniature donkey was donated to us by our awesome vet, Dr. Malone, to serve as protector of our sanctuary herd. He is 8 years old and loves his butt scratched. He will back up to you until you have no choice but to itch and itch and itch until his craving for fingernails is satisfied…which is never.
Scout
Scout was donated to us in December of 2016 as a therapy pony. He is a 15.1 hand Quarter Horse, and he is 33 years old! While we don’t know his story, the scars on his face show someone left a halter on him for far too long. This sweetheart is happy to love one-and-all. His ears are also a barn favorite, if he doesn’t have them perked up, they wag on the sides of his head, jiggling with every step.