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Welcome to...P.
O. Box 6 | Ochlocknee, GA | Ph:
229-378-5088 
"In God
We Trust"
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
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Click here to read about this amazing little horse, Sundance
Click here to become a member of Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Rescue
Apache puts up with a lot of "loving" from Fee Shang. Horses aren't the only creatures rescued by Dancing Cloud Farm. Our hearts are open to many animals who come here. (click on the picture for a larger view) Frequently when we are discussing horse rescue, we hear, "All they need is feed." Not so! (Please read our "Refeeding a Starved Horse" article.)
Visit Hearts4Horses - Where our goal is to help create a world where every horse is in the care of a responsible owner.
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Many DCFHR supporters will remember these shocking photos of "Gigi," a registered quarter horse mare brought to Dancing Cloud Farm in November 2010. We want you to see what happens when you send your financial support to Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Rescue, Inc., because you are as vital to the mission of Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Rescue, Inc., as we are. Thank you for saving Gigi's life. She is a resident now of Star K Stables in Leesburg, Georgia. Norma Karst, owner of Star K Stables, and her staff have done a wonderful job finishing out Gigi's rehabilitation. Look at Gigi now!!
You have made a difference in the lives of these animals. Because of your care and donations, we are able to provide the desperately needed nutrition and veterinary care that these horses need. THANK YOU from all of us -- human and animal alike -- at Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Rescue, Inc. "Sundance" - On March 1, 2009, in a rare South Georgia sleet and snowstorm, DCFHR volunteers picked up a pitifully starved skeleton of a horse, “Sundance.” At the time, he was a stallion, which is probably the main reason he was able to survive the starvation and the conditions he lived in. This little horse was so emaciated and dehydrated that he was within hours of dying when DCFHR picked him up. We could almost lift him up and put him on the trailer. Because of his fragile condition and because of the bitterly cold winter weather we were experiencing at the time, Sundance spent his first three days at DCFHR living in the four-horse trailer. Sundance is a small horse, so when the trailer stall dividers were completely opened up, he had plenty of space to move. Being kept in the trailer protected Sundance from the icy winds; he had absolutely no body fat to protect him, and we weren’t sure that he was going to survive. Volunteers worked with him around the clock for those three days, and poor Sundance showed very little spirit. He was one of the worst cases of starvation and neglect that DCFHR has ever handled, a Body Condition Score of less than “1”. The
pictures below were taken the day Sundance arrived at DCFHR.
We have learned that when horses arrive at DCFHR in this condition, the first three days are critical. During that time, we pour love, attention, medical care, and nutrition into the horse. On the third day, we always find sparkle and life in the eyes and behavior of the horse; the head is held higher, we see anticipation rather than defeat in its eyes. And this is what happened with Sundance. The pictures tell the rest of the story. Many, many, MANY thanks to our supporters who contributed towards the rehabilitation and care of this beautiful horse. Sundance is now a much-loved, much-pampered, much-treasured pet, is taken to horse shows, is ridden by children, and travels to family trail rides. Without DCFHR, this horse’s story would have had a tragic ending.
A little history: Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Rescue, Inc., (DCFHR) , a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in July, 2008 when thirteen starved and neglected horses were rescued and brought to our farm. Before this rescue, we had taken in eight previous rescues, brought to us by owners who could no longer afford to keep their horses or by people who rescued the horses themselves but had no place to keep them. With our world's economy in trouble and with the number of home foreclosures, horses and other animals are being abandoned in great numbers; we saw the need for a horse rescue and sanctuary in South Georgia and committed ourselves to using our farm to help horses. A group of horse lovers joined together to create Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Rescue, Inc. We are funded totally by donations of feed, hay, and finances. Since Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Rescue, Inc., began, FORTY-SEVEN horses have come through DCFHR. Of those, thirty-five have found new homes; we have several who are still waiting for homes; and one (Lil’ Richard, aka General Lee) is now a lifetime member of the Old Geezers Club at DCFHR where he will live out his days as a retiree. In addition, three horses and one donkey went from “old owner to new owner” without having to come to DCFHR because we were able to match them through our database files. Five horses had to be put down because of health conditions.
The "Horse in a Cage": One of the things we do is investigate possible horse abuse cases. Since DCFHR volunteers have no law enforcement authority and cannot enter someone’s property to investigate, we do what we call “drive bys.“ DCFHR had received several reports of a “horse in a cage.” We discovered that the humane society, state and local animal control authorities, and local code enforcement had been notified several times, but nothing was done to help and the horse remained “in a cage.” When we did our drive by, we couldn’t believe what we saw! A horse, literally in a cage. From all accounts, the horse had been there for weeks, no shelter during the winter rains and cold, no room to do anything but stand for hours and days.
Requirements for adoption: Please read the information contained in the "The basics on adopting a rescued horse from Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Rescue, Inc." DCFHR requires that anyone interested in adopting a horse will need these items: two reference letters, preferably from your large animal vet and your farrier, stating that you are a responsible animal owner and can afford to take care of the horse; potential adopter must fill out the Foster/Adoption Form. DCFHR will make a site visit and interview the person/family interested in the horse; each horse has an adoption fee that pays DCFHR back for much of the expenses we have invested in that horse. Another "drive by" investigation: In another drive by on an icy cold winter day, we found these horses in a mud pit behind a junk yard.
DCFHR appreciates the efforts of citizens who concern themselves enough with the condition some animals are kept in to call us so that we can do something. We encourage everyone that if you see animal abuse, file a complaint with either your local sheriff’s department or police department; document the date and time of your complaint and any response you receive and any change to the animal’s condition. All of this is very important. Without trespassing, TAKE PHOTOS and get an accurate address/location of the horse. We are unable to take in any new horses unless it is an emergency, with the horses needing critical care. DCFHR will help owners find potential new homes for their horses. We cannot take in unbroke horses or stallions. It breaks our hearts to have to tell owners that we cannot help them, but DCFHR depends on donations in order to operate. If you are unfamiliar with the term “kill buyer,” please take time to read the latest news about horse slaughter and kill buyers. With the economy, job losses, feed and hay costs, and financial burdens on horse owners, many people are finding they can no longer afford their horses, and many owners turn their horses over to an auction or to the first person who comes along, and that person might be a kill buyer. If you have to give up your horse(s), beware of listing them as “free.” As a horse rescue, we have to look at our financial situation six months from now, so we are already planning for our needs for next winter. We strongly urge all horse owners to begin planning for your horses’ needs for next winter NOW. Frequently when we are discussing horse rescue, we hear, "All they need is feed." Not so! (Please read our "Refeeding a Starved Horse" article.)
Sir
Lancelot After searching for weeks for a walking horse, a friend of ours contacted an Alabama horse trader who arrived with six horses for us to look at crammed in a stock trailer. The first three horses he unloaded were “already sold,” he explained, but he wanted us to look at horses #4 and #6. But when he unloaded horse #5, we were shocked to the innermost. A frightened, emaciated skeleton of a walking horse stepped off the trailer, its beauty, dignity, and majestic step intact. While the other horses stood tied to the trailer, heads down, eyes lifeless, and the horse trader spoke about the qualities of horses #4 and #6, our eyes were locked on that poor horse #5 and he stared at us. Something in his eyes locked into something deep within us, pleading with us for help. We don’t even remember what the horse trader said about the other horses; we just stared in disbelief that anyone could abuse and neglect a horse like they had horse #5. It wasn’t the horse trader’s fault -- he had just picked up the horse that morning and was taking it to auction to sell for dog food. To the total surprise and dismay of the horse trader, we bought that skeleton of a walking horse and never regretted that decision. We named the horse “Sir Lancelot,” giving him a knight’s name befitting his courage and spirit. “Lance” came to us with thick, heavy walking shoes and scars on his legs where chains had rubbed him raw; every rib showed; his chest was maybe 10 inches wide; every vertebrae showed. It took months of feeding and care to get even a little weight on him, and it took two years to restore him to the sleek black majestic animal he should have been all along. Sir Lancelot served us faithfully, patiently teaching adults and children how to ride. Our hearts broke the day seven years later he had to be put down because of colic. Because of his courage, his faithfulness, and the many hours of service he gave to us, Sir Lancelot stands as the standard of what a horse rescue is all about. Rest in peace, our good and faithful friend, and thank you for showing us the way. Visit our newest feature:
The Library
In The Library you will find articles, essays, poetry, etc. that we believe you will enjoy. You will also be able to submit comments about the featured article if you wish. With your help, we can make a positive difference in our world.
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Our Location Click the picture to Just a note: We are frequently asked what the name “Ochlocknee” means as people stumble over its pronunciation. Ochlocknee (oh-clock-knee) is the Creek Indian word for “crooked waters.” The Ochlocknee River begins near Albany, Georgia, and winds its way through South Georgia and North Florida on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. It provided a major trading route for Indians of this area. So now you know! Poison!
Click on the icon below to see how DCFHR has gone green!
Click the picture above to see Gus enjoying his new home.
Our
Hero is coming home!
Click here to see more pictures of this amazing little horse. Please visit Golden Brothers Feed in Thomasville, GA For excellent equine care, click
here to visit
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For questions or
comments about this site, contact the webmaster at:
lmeisen@tds.net |
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This
pony foal and his mother were brought to Dancing Cloud Farm in November
2011. For the first two weeks that the foal was at DCFHR, we feared the
little fellow wouldn’t make it. His mother was starved, wasn't
producing milk, and so her foal was starved. He weaved when he walked,
lay down frequently, always had his head down, and showed none of the
spunk that healthy foals have. His mother wasn't much better; she was
bones, and her skin was so covered with rain rot that as we picked off
the scabs and treated the sores, she had raw skin and lost the hair on
her back. Sixteen days after their rescue, the little foal flew around
the barn in a full out gallop, full of life and spirit. That’s our
paycheck! And that is a better “thank you” to our supporters than our
words could ever say.
