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Okay Everbuddy: Here’s what we know and what we don’t about the horse in Caroline:
1. Someone has offered to pay for his gelding. We do not yet know whether this offer is with the understanding that a 30-year old stallion must be gelded in a clinical setting, if it is even possible to do so. This will not be inexpensive and it will pose some risks for this guy. We also would want to know if any vets in the area are willing and able to do this surgery, and an estimate of the costs. If there are any DVM’s in the area with this ability, please contact us and help us understand the requirements.
2. We have an offer by a kind local person to hang onto him while he “cools off” and who will transport him to a new home and contribute some hay and feed (thank you!)
3. We have a very tenuous, “maybe” offer of a home from someone with extensive stallion experience- and no other horses, who might be a suitable home if it is not possible to safely geld him (bless you!).
4. We do not know how well behaved he is, but we expect to have more information shortly.
5. We understand that the county will hold onto him until the weekend, but do not know their intent as to his disposition beyond that, or whether they are able to extend this deadline.
What else do we know? Anyone else with any information about this horse, please let us know and we will update this post for everyone’s information. Thank you to everyone who has called, emailed or tried to help this guy, including the other rescues who have tried, and are trying, to offer assistance.
Update 5/17/13: We now understand that this horse has vision in one eye, so he is partially sighted. His behavior is that of a horse that has not been handled very much. Not respectful, but no signs of aggression. They were able to load him without too much difficulty. Caroline County reports that he is not happy in his stall, but to be fair, has probably never been in one before and he is a bit disoriented. His age has been corrected to “35″ but it’s hard to determine how accurate this is. Basically, he’s a decent enough guy who just needs a little place to live out the remainder of his life with an understanding person. If you are that person, PLEASE contact Caroline County Animal Control, at the contact number given. They are trying hard to save this horse and just need some help.
 Appy Stud RESCUE NEEDED! This Senior Appaloosa Stud has been signed over to the County by the owner. We need to find a rescue ASAP. If a reputable Rescue Group comes forward to take him, we do have a group willing to cover the cost to have him gelded. Please contact the Shelter at 804-633-9041 for information. We only have through the weekend for this guy, so pass the word!
This young man needs to find a home as soon as possible. Situated in the LA area, his rescuers will transport him to a forever home. Please contact Abbey directly at the contact email below. Some details:
This poor guy was in an emaciated condition when rescued. The vet estimates him at 2.5 years old and he is 13.3 hands. He was gelded once his weight came up, and he is up for his shots at the end of May, which will be done. He was initially very scared of humans, but he does halter and you can pet him. That’s about it. He does spook easily and needs more training. He is still pretty skittish. When he gets scared, he moves away quickly, but is not mean. He does meet you at the gate to be petted and really loves the attention. If someone has time to spend with him, he would come around quickly. Since the picture was taken he has shed out a little bit, and is more gray.
Contact: Abbey at quarterphotography@gmail.com
UPDATE:
Thanks to the coverage we get from our web site, plus the sharing ability on facebook, Chip has found his new forever home. Thank you everyone who contacted Cynthia, and those of you who cross-posted and shared Chip’s information. It really does take a village to do rescue, and an electronic one is just as effective.
 Chip We’ll need to move quickly on this one, folks because time is short, so if anyone out there would like to add a little color in their pasture, here he is! This horse is sound and trained, just needs a tune up. Please remember that he is not in the care of the Rescue, so you’ll want to contact his helper at the number and email below. Thank you, Cynthia, for caring about him.
Chip
This 14-hand gelding needs to find a refuge, as the current owner is ready and willing to put him down. He is 20 ish but goes like a youngster, has always been sound, recently shod and has spring vaccinations. He is an easy keeper and personality plus. BUT he has too much pull on the bit to be an enjoyable ride for his older caregiver. (White Bird note: A candidate for a bitless bridle?) Over the years they just have accumulated too many issues to be good for each other any longer. She has given up on him; I am trying to find him a better outcome. Chip is located in Lexington, VA.
Deadline for Finding a Home: 04/30/2013
Please contact: Cynthia Ruark
caruark@earthlink.net
Phone: 540 462 2915
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” Charles Dickens
Rather a lot more snow than expected, but not as bad as some west and north of us. Hopefully this really is the last of the cold weather and we can get stuck into Spring at last. The horses will be pleased to see the grass coming in, even if our Cushing’s and insulin resistant guys can only get it through a small hole in the muzzles they wear!
Winter is always problematical for rescues relying extensively on volunteers for the daily housekeeping. They don’t get the same level of interaction with the horses as we can achieve when the days are warmer and longer. And cold faces and hands are not much fun either! Consequently, a huge thank you to those volunteers who came out over the winter, and braved the bad days and the good days to help care for the White Bird horses. We can never say thank you often enough. To Kate our Intern, Peggy and Melanie, Susan, Betsy and Erin, Hanna and Drew, Lucia and Gustavo, Tiffany and Gillian, Alyssa, Kristen and Liz, Mary, Lauren and Genevieve, Frank and Sarah, Ebony, the Longwood Ambassadors, and the Longwood ∑ Sorority Sisters, MANY THANKS. Once or twice was noble, and if you came most weeks that was diamond, and very much appreciated. If I left any names out, my bad, you are also much appreciated.
 Longwood ∑ Sorority Sisters
Do you find yourself sighing over YouTube videos of people with their loving, equine BFF’s? Or, wistfully gazing at your back paddock (with adequate shelter and safe fencing) and thinking that it looks sort of empty? Yearning for a Valentine’s Day Sweetheart that just happens to have a mane and four hooves? Well, do we have a solution for you!
White Bird has some wonderful, special horses who are seeking their own wonderful, special people. We’ve conducted a rigorous scientific analysis of each horse personality and performed an extensive personal (okay, equine) interview with each of the horses below, in order to help them find that perfect match. Today, we are showcasing the following horses:
Dandelion (Dandi):
 DOB c.1989. Dandi is a 14.2 hand (14 hands 2 inches) chestnut blanket Appaloosa mare, and a former school horse who tired of her job educating students. To avoid an auction fate, she was sent to White Bird, where she was given ample time to de-stress. She can be ridden by an advanced, sensitive rider. Dandi is management material and a good herd boss. Like many Appaloosas, she has occasional bouts of uveitis that must be managed and she has suffered mild vision loss on one side. She gains weight easily and her diet should be controlled to prevent excessive weight gain. Dandi serves on the local school board, is the President of the Neighborhood Watch and enjoys writing letters to her local elected officials. Her double fudge brownies won a blue ribbon at the county fair.
Whiskey:
 DOB ca.1986. Whiskey is a 14.2 hand, bay roan Pony of the Americas (POA) gelding who was originally rescued at an auction. He arrived with EPM, but was treated and shows no remaining symptoms. He is a strong, well-proportioned guy with good vision and no other known health issues. He adores people and attention, though he has a tendency to become herd-bound without regular work. Because of his assertive (though friendly) personality, his new home should be a confident one. Whiskey plays shortstop on the Nottoway baseball team and belongs to the Kiwanis Club. He enjoys micro-brewed beers and loves to be hugged.
Caesar:
 DOB ca.1982. Caesar is a 15.2 hand, bay Arabian gelding. He was rescued from a semi-feral herd when his owner became disabled. Caesar was already 21 years old when he started basic ground training, but he is a very sweet boy and is exceptionally well behaved. He is mildly arthritic and can be sensitive about picking up his feet for this reason, but he has no other health issues. Caesar is not trained to ride, but would make an excellent companion horse. He appreciates fine art, especially Plein Air Impressionism. He is also an avid photographer who enjoys wine tasting and intellectual discourse. He has a complete collection of the recordings of Andres Segovia.
Ulysses:
 DOB ca.1991. Ulysses is a 16.2 hand, black blanket Appaloosa gelding and a former school horse. He is athletic and personable, but suffers from an old knee break and is unsound for riding. He has no other known health issues and would make a good pasture companion. His ideal home would be a quiet one, where he would not overtax his arthritic knee. Ulysses likes to read historical non-fiction and is a Ravens and Richmond Spiders fan. He is a little vain about his appearance, but we don’t hold it against him, as he is an unusually handsome guy with a lot of presence.
If you think you are looking at your new beau, please let us know! The best way to do that is to download and complete our Adoption Questionnaire and email your completed application to us at: whitebirdapps@gmail.com. Once we receive your information, we will review it promptly and contact you to schedule a convenient time for you and your family to meet with your guy or gal(s). We are open by appointment by calling: (434) 767-2839. If we don’t reply immediately, please be patient. Taking care of these horses is our first priority, but we will return your call as soon as possible.
Don’t seen anyone here who makes your heart skip a beat? That’s okay because we have many horses and ponies who are also still seeking their matches. Please contact us to tell us what you are looking for in your new BFF.
As we near the end of 2012, we’d like to take a moment to thank the many people who have made it possible for us to help at-risk and urgent need horses. Whether you have donated towards their care, taken time from your busy schedules to help us clean stalls and serve horse dinners, brought in your gently used items, manned booths, helped with the web site, built fences, painted, helped with training or handling, brushed coats, petted horse noses, or a hundred other things that have made this all happen, your efforts have been appreciated each and every day.
We wish for you and your families the things that you have so graciously offered these horses: a secure and safe home, abundant food and to be surrounded by loved ones. From all of us at the White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue, may you have a Merry Christmas (or a Happy Hanukkah) and a peaceful and prosperous New Year!
Today, we at White Bird will join the nation in a moment of silence to honor the victims of the shootings at the Newtown Elementary School. It is telling, however, that even during our darkest moments, there is good to be found among those who would rather fight back than resign themselves in despair. We are talking about the “26 Acts of Kindness” movement that began as #26Acts on Twitter and is gaining momentum across the country. It suggests simply that everyone carry out acts of kindness for anyone, anywhere, in honor of the victims of this tragedy. We can not think of a more fitting tribute to the loss of innocent lives.
So today, we invite our friends, supporters and followers to commit 26 acts of kindness. One option to consider is contributing to the support of homeless horses, who are also innocents, either at White Bird, or at the equine rescue of your choice. But if you have different ideas, that’s still great and the world will still be a better place because you have acted. None of us can undo the tragedy of this past week, but we can still fight back against evil through random acts of kindness. Thank you for your willingness to do so.
 
Dutch is a 26-year old, 16h Chestnut thoroughbred with tons of trail and show experience. A retired show jumper, hunter and fox hunter he is now seeking a home who will let him enjoy just being a horse.
The owner can no longer keep him and his situation has become precarious. He must find a home before the end of the year. Dutch’s age doesn’t slow him down and he is still full of fun and energy. He is quiet on trails, alone or in a group. He stands, ties, loads, and is up to date on all basic care and vaccinations. He is very well trained, but like many highly trained horses, he is not suitable for a complete beginner as his training requires a skilled rider. He has no health issues other than very mild arthritis. With joint supplements he could still probably show lower level dressage and can easily go for regular hacks. He loves to be groomed and loved on. He has a pocket personality and is seeking his permanent home. He’s an amazing horse that has so much love to give and just looking for some love in return. If you think you might be that home, please contact Allie at: allie.sinclair87@gmail.com Dutch is not under the care of the Rescue, but he will be adopted out under the Rescue’s contract. So his new home should be able to supply veterinary references and have adequate shelter, pasture and fencing, and will need to agree to the other adoption requirements.
Note: Horses featured in White Bird’s Clearinghouse are owned by individuals and the information provided to us has not been verified by the Rescue. For this reason, we suggest that potential adopters ask good questions and meet the horses whenever possible, to assure themselves of a good match.
Other Note: Look at that sweet face!
 Christmas Cheer in the L-Barn Last night, the Rescue celebrated our first Silent Night at White Bird. We opened our doors, rolled out the red carpet and invited everyone in for some hot chocolate, cider, cookies and a Christmas party for the Rescue’s residents.
 L-barn festivities Ace face-painter Allison turned small children into red-nosed Rudolphs with glittery hair. We sold Betsy’s fabulous home-made horse ornaments, Hanna’s amazing crocheted horses and Kate’s wonderful cookies. The rescue’s horses each had a stocking hung by their doors and these were soon filled with donations in the form of tokens supplied by our generous visiting Santas. We had a a great time!
 Nativity scene in the blind pony paddock This is the first event of this type that we have held, and naturally, we were worried about how our equine charges would cope with the lights, visitors and squeals of small children. That worry was unnecessary, as our horses absolutely basked in all the attention. Even Pebbles, our normally timid blind mare, held out her nose for every visitor to pet.
Mr. Bowersox was his normal, personable self and he received the most Christmas gifts of all the White Bird horses. Fortunately, he is also generous and willing to share.
We are grateful beyond words for the many volunteers who helped us to put this event together. First and foremost, we thank Betsy Gregory, the mastermind all-things-festive for her leadership, hard work and generosity of spirit (shown above with Mr. Bowersox). We thank the many volunteers who helped make chocolate and cider, sell cookies and ornaments, and otherwise make this event as much fun as we could ever have imagined. You rock!
 And huge thanks to Susan and Kate for their diligence in supervising barn activities and making sure that our equine charges were as comfortable as they could be during this event (a gratuitous plug here for Suzie’s Zoo in Farmville, for all your pet needs  ).
There were many, many more individuals than are listed or shown here and we thank every one of you for your support. You are our angels. Last, we’d like to thank our friends and community for taking the time to come out on a cold Friday night to visit us, play Santa and welcome in the holidays with a group of very appreciative rescued horses.
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