Summit Horse Rescue

Hope's hoof has been gradually healing since her keratoma surgery on May 29. The hospital plate is off and we can finally stop the wrapping and sugardine paste. Today she enjoyed a pedicure (trim) and got some snazzy new Scoot Boots to give her a little extra protection and support. It's 15 weeks post surgery, and Hope's been confined to the matted barn... cant wait to get out and test drive her new boots!

Huge thanks to foster mom Samantha who took on the enormous responsibility for Hope's post surgical care.

We're excited to introduce our 2 newest rescue horses! This lovely Andalusian mare is 15.2 hands and about 14 years old. She was said to be broke to ride when she was younger, but since mainly used for breeding. Her handsome c**t foal is 4-5 months old.

They were rescued from Bowie kill pen in Texas. Another group of mares and foals who arrived at the same time were cruelly separated - the mares all immediately shipped to slaughter in Mexico, then the orphaned foals were sold to the public. One of the babies was only 3 weeks old 😢

This pair were fortunate to be given a chance of being saved together, but got within 1 day of the mare's 'ship date'.

Our rescue account was completely depleted by medical expenses for Hope's keratoma surgery at UC Davis, and the vet bills incurred to diagnose, euthanize and bury Maverick. The new horses were saved using personal donations by board members and volunteers. We would really appreciate your help with quarantine and transportation costs, initial medical care (antibiotics, shots, teeth float), farrier, blankets and feed.

Donations can be sent to:

PAYPAL: [email protected]

VENMO:

ZELLE*: see QR code in comments

Check payable to Summit Horse Rescue*

OR use the Givebutter fundraiser below.
https://givebutter.com/V1MiU7

Thank you for your support!!!

NEW RESCUE: Andalusian mare & foal By Summit Horse Rescue Inc

Hope everyone had a good summer!!

Now the kids are back in school, we'll be getting more active on social media and catching up with the latest news from the Rescue. We some fun and exciting updates to talk about, but we first we have sad news to share...

On July 25, our gentle giant resident Maverick passed away peacefully at the rescue. Maverick was rescued in January 2023, with the help of several private sponsors. He arrived underweight and fearful. Restoring his weight and condition was the easy part of his rehabilitation. Unfortunately, he was never able to overcome his fear and past traumas, and would tolerate only the most basic handling from dedicated volunteer Jen, who worked tirelessly with him to build his confidence and trust.

We accepted that Maverick would not ever be a riding horse, and this spring, Maverick was offered up for adoption as a pasture buddy. Through our rescue connections we received a couple of promising home offers...but around the same noticed that Mav seemed more lethargic than usual and was losing weight. He was put on a medical hold while we had the vet check him and draw blood. His fear of strangers made diagnostics challenging, but the vet advised that Maverick had cancer. Over the weeks that followed his health continued to decline, and his weight dropped further in spite of being offered all he could eat. To spare him unnecessary suffering, decision was made to humanely euthanize Maverick. His human friend Jen was by his side, and he passed away peacefully at home, here in our rescue, among his horse friends and the people who cared for him.

We rarely know the history of the horses we rescue, and not all will be suitable for rehabilitation as riding horses or even pets. But our goal for all is ensure full bellies, and a loving, safe environment for the rest of their days.

Rest in peace, Maverick ❤️

Pics show Maverick's condition upon arrival, and in happier times that followed.

SPIRIT & JOSIE

Quick update on Josie for Border Horse Slaughter Rescue followers. Josie isn't Summit Horse Rescue alumni, but her companion Spirit is. When Nita adopted Spirit as a pasture companion to her senior mare, he hit the jackpot landing in this wonderful sanctuary. And a year later when Nita's mare passed away, Josie was the lucky little pony to join Spirit in his fairytale home. We helped facilitate her adoption from BHSR, and delivered her to Nita and Spirit.

This spring, when Josie got an abscess in her hoof and an ulcer in one eye, Nita asked for our help with the additional (temporary) care needed. SHR Super foster Sam didn't hesitate to volunteer for the job, while Coco (SHR profile pic mascot) took Josies place to keep Spirit company.

Josie is all good now and back home with Nita and Spirit. Nita was extra happy to find that shy Josie has been much easier to catch and handle since the stall rest and daily haltering and medical care she got during her stay with Sam. Josie is a special needs pony who foundered prior to her rescue.

Border Horse Slaughter Rescue - The Gift of Life

ADDIE...rehab progress report

Since arriving at Summit Horse Rescue Addie has mostly been decompressing, gaining weight and enjoying lots of love and attention. She's also had multiple chiropractic and bodywork sessions, vet examinations, xrays and surgical consultations, while we have attempted to identify and work through her numerous physical issues.

Addie was an owner surrender, suspected neurological. A purebred Westfalian from a reputable breeder, but weak in the hind end, not moving correctly, rearing, repeatedly kicking stall walls, clearly experiencing pain or discomfort, definitely anxious and emotionally stressed. She was very lean (underweight) in spite of her prior owners care and being boarded at an expensive facility.

We're now certain she is NOT neurological, however it's been quite a journey to figure out what IS going on with her. Our bodywork and chiropractic dream team of Wendy Killingsworth and Amanda Apesos have found and adjusted numerous physical issues, and she is already feeling much happier, stronger and more relaxed. After neurological issues were ruled out, our vet focused on her hocks and stifles. After a recent visit to Steinbeck Equine Tim Eastman, Chief of Surgery confirmed that Addie will not need surgery. But he recommended residential rehab at the Premier Equine Center in Oakdale, which offers a swimming pool and aquatred to build her strength and help her stifles. Later this summer our trainer will be restarting Addie under saddle. She was previously broke to ride as a 3 year old and under training in a hunter jumper program prior to being surrendered to our rescue.

Addie's ongoing chiropractic, bodywork, x rays and medical bills have so far mostly been sponsored by one of our Summit Horse Rescue founders and board members.

Here are a couple of recent photos, and 'befores', to show how far she's come since her arrival last October.

Hope enjoying her last night of freedom before her surgery at UC Davis!

She came back from her foster home for a sleepover so we could get an early start driving to UC Davis the next morning. Had a blast racing around the pasture with her old friends! Kinda hard to put her through this seeing her so happy and (temporarily) sound, but her hoof had recently cracked again due to the tumor...it was the right choice. Only 7 years old with her whole life ahead of her, and so much spirit!

Hope's keratoma surgery all went smoothly at UC Davis last week! She's now settled back home with her fabulous foster mom Samantha, and today we did her first bandage change. The benign tumor was approx 1/2" x 1" and the section removed from her hoof will take up to a year to grow out. So Hope remains a long term medical case. She's on twice daily meds, will need to return to UC Davis in 3-4 weeks for a post surgery follow up, and will require bandage changes every 3-4 days for about 3 months. She has a wonderful set up under a spacious fully matted barn, and she's on Trazadone to keep her from going stir crazy in confinement.

Hopes surgery cost approx $5,000 and was primarily funded by adoption fees. We take months or years to fully rehabilitate and train our rescue horses, then set adoption fees a little below market value (and to date, always less than actual cost to rescue and rehab). Our rescue receives very few donations, and medical situations like this seriously deplete reserves. So thank you sincerely to our followers and donors for your support, and for adopters who understand that the fees we set are critical for our rescue to survive. For every horse we rescue that has value after rehab and training, like Baby, Ginger, Comet, Freddie, Rio.... there are other rescues who turn out to be unadoptable or unrideable like Spirit, Mo, Dapples, Dominick, and Maverick...those horses still cost us many thousands of dollars but ultimately need a 'companion only' home, with adoption fees waived. Medical cases are the hardest of all, we are a small rescue and still mostly self funded. Hope was fully rehabbed and offered up for adoption 2 years ago, but unexpectedly presented lame at her first adoption meeting. We have been dealing with on/off lameness and recurring abscesses ever since. The keratoma surgery was absolutely necessary for her to have a future as a useful, rideable horse. The prognosis is excellent and we look forward to Hope getting back to work in 2025. Confinement doesn't suit her at all (yes, we are doing our best to address the weight gain), she can't wait to get back to the trail!

HOPE ~ Surgery Fundraiser

Hope was rescued from Bowie in 2019. She was about to load to Mexico, green tagged and already chipped for export. She was a malnourished, unhandled 2 year old filly, who blossomed into a gorgeous golden palomino trail horse. Hope was professionally broke, we introduced her to the trails and she was amazing. She was ready for her own person, and we listed her as available for adoption in the summer of 2022, as a 5 year old.

At her first (and only) adoption meet we noticed that she seemed a little 'off'. This was the beginning of an on/off recurring lameness issue that neither our vet or farrier would diagnose for some time. In March 2023 the farrier carved open almost the full length of her hoof (from the coronet band down) to drain a massive abscess that was not blowing by itself. We knew this would take months and months to grow out, and it seemingly kept getting reinfected, we did multiple stints of stall rest and poulticing. Fast forward 12 months and the hoof was grown out but abscess was STILL draining. Then...a crack opened up all down her hoof. Our vet took xrays which were sent to UC Davis... finally we got a real diagnosis. Hope has a keratoma.

A keratoma is a benign tumor in the hoof. Treatment requires surgery to remove the tumor, in a sterile environment. The estimate for her surgery is $5000 at UC Davis.

Hope is still only 7 years old, she's a beautiful and friendly girl with her whole life ahead of her. The prognosis is excellent with the surgery. We commit to giving our rescue horses whatever care they need and not giving her this surgery simply isn't an option.

We rarely ask for help and we are still mostly self funded. Our open house fundraisers, plus adoption fees from the healthy rideable horses, help to pay for our hay and vet bills, and hopefully another rescue. But we dont have reserves for a surgery like this.

Please consider a donation towards Hope's surgery. Scheduled at UC Davis on May 20.

Ways to Donate:
ZELLE
PayPal donations@summithorserescue
Venmo

Of course we also take cash and checks payable to Summit Horse Rescue.

We are a 501(c)(3), your donations are tax deductible.

RIO ~ Available for Adoption

Rio was born at Summit Horse Rescue in June 2022. His mom Reina (adopted) is a beautiful 14.3 hands gray Andalusian, a brood mare thrown away and headed to Mexico for slaughter. Rio has been raised with love at our rescue barn...and perhaps just a little spoiled! He's now turning 2 years old, and he's currently measuring 15.2...should mature to 16.2+ hands. DNA results indicate that he's purebred Andalusian (no papers).

Rio is halter broke, ties, leads, picks up his front feet. Super affectionate, engaged, in your pocket personality. Will need an experienced handled to further his training. Beautiful mover, super athletic sport horse type with the potential to excel in any direction.

Adoption fee and contract will apply.

MAVERICK ~ Available for Adoption

Maverick was rescued from Last Chance Direct Ship in January 2023. He was imminently headed back to auction not to Mexico for slaughter, but as very large unhandled 8 year old stud he would have been a prime target for the kill buyers at auction. His rescue was funded by several generous sponsors.

Maverick is now healthy and up to weight, and he is gelded. We've had a dedicated volunteer working on his handling and training for over a year, but unfortunately Mav has not been able to overcome some past trauma and deep seated fears and anxieties. Our trainer has advised that he is not a candidate to be rehabilitated as a riding horse. He can be haltered, with patience (if you can catch him), he leads like a gentleman, and will load in the trailer. He will tolerate some brushing, up to the hind end and not including under belly. He will happily wear a fly mask can be blanketed but prefers to be left alone. Doesn't pick up his feet, and would need to be sedated for any vet or farrier care.

We are looking for a permanent home for Maverick as a companion and pasture ornament. He's a gentle giant, good with other horses, including mares and babies, not pushy at feed time. Adoption fee will be waived to an excellent home with references and adoption contract.

ADOPTIONS

Thank you to everyone who has contacted us about adopting Freddie. We have multiple applications, and we're confident that Freddie will land in the fabulous forever home he deserves. More to come on this soon, stay tuned...

In the meantime Freddie practiced the obstacles at Graham Hill this week. After being led over them once he didn't hesitate to conquer them all, without hesitation, with a rider. Including the suspension bridge and the teeter-totter. He's loving the trail as well, in spite of the wet muddy conditions!

Up next for adoption will be Rio and Hope. Rio will be placed as a halter broke 2 year old Andalusian (no papers). He should mature to 16-17 hands. Rio was born in our rescue after mom Reina was pulled off a truck that was already headed to Mexico. Hope is a 14.1 hands 7 year old gaited palomino mare. Broke to ride and has lots of trail experience, may need a little more time to get tuned up after long layoff due to an abscess. Her personality is much like Freddie's, friendly and outgoing, good mind, loves to get out on trail adventures.

❤️🧡💛 Happy Valentines Day, with love from Rio & Maverick ❤️🧡💛

First beach ride For Freddie

The big storm is behind us and Freddie and friends are enjoying some pasture time this beautiful sunny evening. We're proud of him for doing so well at his first adoption meeting this week!

Freddie and friends spent 4 weeks on vacation in the Sierra foothills* over the holidays. Freddie got to explore trails under saddle for the first time, and he was an absolute rockstar!

On his adventures, Freddie passed vehicles, trailers, tarps and tents, barking dogs, people and pets in brightly colored clothes, power tools starting up as we passed, running horses - in pastures alongside us, and his friends galloping ahead and leaving him behind! He will happily go first or last... normally last because he's a slow poke. But he confidently took the lead on multiple occasions when his much more experienced pony buddy would spook at something or refuse to pass. Freddie especially likes getting his feet wet, so he loved the creek crossings and the mud. He even experienced his first snow!

We weren't able to get photos of Freddie being ridden because Freddie was the only horse quiet and sensible enough to be ridden with one hand, so all the photos are from his back! He does have the cutest ears though! I included a photo of my daughter on him in the arena, for scale, shes 12 yrs old, 4'6 and 62lbs. Freddie hadn't been ridden for 6+ months so I made her go first to make sure it was safe! If you enjoy a more relaxing, unhurried ride, on the buckle, taking the time to enjoy the scenery...Freddie's your guy. He seems pretty much unflappable so far. Spooked once (a bird flew out from a bush under him), recovered instantly and stopped dead. He has a great stop, and really great brain, he's easy going, no drama. Will make someone an exceptional trail partner.

Until he's adopted we will keep taking him out to expose him to more new experiences and to improve his stamina and fitness. He doesn't like hills much...lol

*Freddie and friends stayed at Avery Meadows Ranch, near Arnold. At just under 4000' elevation there was just enough snow to make it fun! The owners Tim and Jill welcome temporary boarders, and the horses are accommodated in beautiful big private pastures, fed hay twice daily. There are lovely trails around the ranch (100 acres), plus an arena and 2 round pens. The property connects to the Arnold Rim Trail system, so you can ride for miles, out of the ranch. Highly recommend!

FREDDIE ~ AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION

Freddie is a handsome grulla gelding, rising 6 years old. We believe he is mustang x quarter horse. He's only 13.3 but built like a brick tank! Takes up a lot of leg, may be more suited to an adult than a child. Very powerful and athletic, but calm and laid back. Freddie is the happiest horse in the barn, he loves everyone he meets...people, other horses, dogs... assumes everyone is going to be his new BFF. He is engaging and affectionate, gives kisses, loves hands on his body (begs for massages), would climb in your pocket if he could. If you've been following Freddie's journey on this page you know how far he's come, and there have been a few unexpected setbacks...however, he's now looking and feeling awesome! This is a horse who has completely left his kill pen trauma behind, and is excited for the future.

We would love a trail home for Freddie. Please check out our other post with info about his recent adventures in the Sierras. He is extremely intelligent, has a great mind and wants to please, he's brave, not at all spooky and he loves new experiences! He's in no hurry...more whoa than go right now, but this may change as he gains experience and conditioning. He is still green and needs a capable riding partner to continue his training.

Message for adoption fee and application form. We will be looking for the perfect fit, Freddie is happiest when he's getting plenty of mental stimulation, and he would love his own person to bond with. Will require professional saddle fitting. Forever home only, with adoption contract.

Beautiful Addie, ready for the big storm in her new Rambo turnout sheet...Christmas gift from Chris.

Thank you to Sally Francy for your generous donation of horse blankets, saddle pads, boots, medical supplies, buckets, grooming kit and many other horse related items accumulated during 50 years of horse ownership! Sadly Sally's last horse Cherry passed away a couple of years ago, age 31.

18 month old Rio keeps outgrowing his blankets, but here he is in one of Cherry's 74" turnout sheets. Freddie got one too. We are sorry for your loss, and sincerely appreciate you thinking of our rescue ❤️

We had a fabulous time at the Loma Prieta Holiday Craft Faire last weekend! It was a wonderful opportunity to see so many new faces and old friends in our community. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, we appreciate your support. We were definitely feeling the love and the holiday spirit!

If you missed us there we still have SHR swag and gifts available and we will ship! Message us for pricing and to place your order. Special order branded clothing also available. We can sell the mugs, beer and wine glasses without the holiday themed goodies if you prefer, although they make very festive gifts and stocking fillers!

Hoodies (Adult & Youth sizes)
T-shirts (Adult & Youth sizes)
Beanies - these are fleece lined and were selling like hotcakes!
Trucker Hats
Mugs - filled with hot cocoa ingredients or coffee beans
Wine Glasses - filled with chocolates
Beer Glasses - filled with nuts

Huge thanks to the Summit Riders Horsemans Association for sharing their non profit booth with us once again! Their free prize drawing was a great success, with the goal of bringing attention to the various equestrian activities available in the Los Gatos Mountains. We hope a few members of the community will be encouraged to try out riding or horsemanship or simply the opportunity to spend time with horses.

SRHA notebooks also available (3 cover designs) for purchase online - message us for info!

Sneak preview - the merchandise has arrived! Get your SHR gear at the Loma Prieta Holiday Craft Faire on Dec 2&3. If you can't attend in person, message us your order and we will ship to you. We have hoodies, T-shirts, beanies, trucker hats, mugs and beer glasses stuffed with goodies. Prices range from $15 for kids T-shirts to $40 for adults hoodies.

Please consider Summit Horse Rescue for your Giving Tuesday Donations. We could not give these horses a new life without your support ❤️

Giving Tuesday Fundraiser Help us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome horses in need

Please consider Summit Horse Rescue for your Giving Tuesday Donations. We could not give these horses a new life without your support ❤️
https://givebutter.com/SHR

Please follow our new Instagram page, we will be posting updates about the rescue here too!
https://instagram.com/summit_horse_rescue?utm_source=qr

Visit us at the Loma Prieta Holiday Craft Fair on Dec 2 & 3, at the Loma/CT English gym, 23800 Summit Rd, Los Gatos. We will be selling SHR merchandise and other goodies to raise funds for the horses!

We've had a busy few weeks at Summit Horse Rescue. Lots of updates....

Reina is adopted! Rio was gelded (available for adoption now). Freddie has been getting getting bodywork and chiropractic (he's also available). Moku and Hope landed in an amazing foster home. We have a new resident, a local owner surrender - welcome Addie to SHR! More details and photos to come...

Visit us at the Loma Prieta Holiday Craft Faire on Dec 2 & Dec 3, 10-5 & 10-4 and get your SHR merch - mugs, hats, shirts and hoodies. Awesome Chrismas gifts for yourself or the horse lovers in your family!

Happy Halloween!!

This made our day....a magical photo of SHR rescue Snickerdoodle, adopted by the wonderful Jenny Whitman of Alma Equine .

Halloween Greetings!