P. O. Box 6 | Ochlocknee, GA  31773  |  Phone:  229-378-5088

If you don't have a place for a horse but would like to help, sponsor one of our horses in the Green Bananas Herd, in the Golden Oldies Band, or select a horse waiting for a home.

SPONSORS NEEDED!

We have learned what works best for the horses, and we have learned to keep it simple.  If you would like to sponsor a horse or to contribute to a long-term resident’s care, here is an idea of what costs we have:

Hay = $60.00/month, October -April

Feed = $1.50/day – includes 12% pelleted feed, beet pulp, alfalfa, minerals, salt blocks

Dewormer = $8.00

Farrier = $15.00 for a trim

Rio:  A perfect example of what can go wrong in the horse racing industry after a horse’s racing days are over.  We don't know what ill fate awaited this beautiful horse after his racing career ended, but the photos tell a grim story. No animal should ever be in that condition. He was discovered in July, 2009, when a couple in Ocala, Florida, went to look at a horse that was advertised as a "good riding trail horse" and found this pitiful, limping skeleton, Alldiablo (Rio). Rio was given to this couple, who, using their own finances, nursed this survivor through his initial refeeding. All of us in the horse world are grateful to people like this couple who step up to the plate when they see an animal in need and do what they can with what they have. Only two months after they saved Rio’s life, the rescuer was laid off from work and contacted us for help. Many thanks to Sherri and Ed at our satellite rescue farm in Lake City, Florida, who took Rio in, completed his Coggins test, initial veterinary and farrier visits, and continued his immediate medical care until volunteers from DCFHR could go get him. Many, many thanks to all our DCFHR friends who answered the needs of this horse. He has recovered, grown new hooves, and is a success story because of your generosity and care.

Rio has been one of our best-ever, most cooperative patients at DCFHR.  All he needed was the chance to live. We just can’t say “thank you” enough to all of our DCFHR friends who provided feed and finances for us to save this horse.  

 Lil Richard:  On June 6, 2009, after a night of tremendous thunder and lightning storms, a concerned citizen called DCFHR and asked if we could take in a starved horse that had been tied to a tree all night in the owner’s yard; the owner did not want to keep the horse.   Lil Richard, a sad, scared, pitiful collection of skin and bones, arrived at DCFHR suffering from a deep, gruesomely infected cut just about his hoof that exposed tendons and bone.  Most of his body was covered with rain rot.  He flinched and was white-eyed of every movement we made, which told us that this poor boy had been through trauma.  We soon discovered that Lil Richard was only about 14 years old, a registered Canadian trotter who used to race, pulling a sulky.  How this horse got to South Georgia, only he can tell.  Lil Richard will be a long-term resident here at Dancing Cloud Farm and needs someone to sponsor him.  He’s a cooperative old gentleman who responds to all the TLC given him; he’s in good health and is an easy    keeper.  Lil Richard has become the guardian of our 34-year-old retired quarterhorse, Poco.  They are the two old sentinels of Dancing Cloud Farm.  Lil Richard is full of fire and life, and very protective of his pasture friends.  He will live out his days at DCFHR or until the perfect home comes along.  Lil Richard has been through enough in his life and deserves to live the rest of his days in peace and safety.

 When a horse starves, it starves from the outside in and therefore its body rebuilds itself from the inside out, sending nutrition to its vital organs first and then to the skin and injuries that need healing.  For Lil Richard, his body took six months to start looking good, but he eventually became the beautiful horse he should have been all along, and he learned to trust humans completely.  The cut on his foot took a year to heal, and although the scar clearly shows, the old wound gives him no trouble. 

 Coco:  22 year old black walking horse; his owner moved and could not take Coco.  He is healthy, strong, and very rideable.  We are looking for a forever home for him, but until then, Coco will be living at Dancing Cloud Farm.

 Spice Girl:  This graceful, long-legged yearling filly came to DCFHR in November 2011.  “Spice” is poetry in motion and should be a ballerina of the horse world.   She will make someone a fine riding horse and if those long legs are any indication, she will be tall.  Spice has a gentle and cooperative spirit and is a quick learner.   She will be in our “Green Banana Bunch” until the perfect home is found for her.  Next spring, Spice is going to be bee-yoo-ti-ful when all of the dull, wormy hair sheds out and she can enjoy a pasture of green grass for the first time in her life.  Keep your eye on this horse!  She is going to be a gorgeous mare!    

 Rudy:  (pictured above with Spice Girl) Talk about afterburners, this boy has them!  You should see him run!  Rudy, our youngest “Green Banana,” was foaled on February 14, 2011; for the first seven months of his life he lived in a squalid mud pen before he came to DCFHR.  (Rudy probably could be registered since both his dam and sire are registered quarter horses.)   Next summer, look for him to be a sleek (fast) black yearling as, for the first time in his life, he will get to enjoy a pasture full of fresh green grass.  We want to make sure that Rudy becomes the magnificent horse he was meant to be.  Rudy might have to have a different name – he reminds us of a muscle car – big engine, lots of speed. 

Scarlett:  This beautiful red roan 2-year-old came to DCFHR in September 2010, one of two skinny, neglected horses abandoned on property that was for sale.  She and the other horse had only tree bark, weeds, and leaves to eat; both horses had scrapes and cuts on their chests where they had leaned over and through the loose barbed wire fencing to nibble anything within reach.  Even on the first day DCFHR volunteers worked with Scarlett to get her on the trailer, she was cooperative, didn’t panic or fight, and wanted to do what was asked of her.  Since she’s been at Dancing Cloud Farm, our faithful volunteer Owen has worked with Scarlett, teaching her the basics of Good Horse Behavior, including picking up her feet for the farrier.  We have begun Scarlett’s ground training; she has been saddled and is being worked in a round pen and with driving reins.  This girl is going to be a sound, dependable, and safe riding horse.  Until the perfect home is found for Scarlett, she will live here at Dancing Cloud Farm.   

IIf you can help with any of these horses, please contact DCFHR.  You may send your donations to:  DCFHR, P.O. Box 6, Ochlocknee, GA 31773 or click the Donate Button below.  Thank you so much for pitching in and being a part of our work with these beautiful horses.  We are able to do this work because you care.