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P. O. Box 6 | Ochlocknee, GA 31773 | Phone: 229-378-5088
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Shamrock
Stormy
Dallas |
Meet "Stormy" (below) Born at DCFHR March 27, 2009, around 6 a.m. We called her "Stormy" because this little filly was born after a night of storms, heavy spring rains, and just before tornado watches were posted. Her mother, Fancy, came to us in July 2008 as an already-bred rescue in poor condition (body score 2-3). We are so thankful that Stormy was born a healthy little filly! Both Fancy and Stormy have gone to new homes.
In September 2010, volunteers responded to a report about a skinny horse that had been abandoned on property that was up for sale. Witnesses told us that the week before we arrived to pick up Dallas, someone had tried to load Dallas in a dirty cattle trailer to take him to the slaughter auction. When the horse refused, he was whipped in an attempt to scare him into loading (or because the humans loading him lost their temper). Before the humans gave up their attempt to force Dallas into the trailer, he had been beaten so harshly that he was lying on the ground at the back of the trailer, covered in sweat and foam, sides heaving, absolutely terrified and in pain. When DCFHR volunteers arrived to bring Dallas to the farm, we had to work through his fear of that previous experience. Two hours of coaxing, praying, pulling, and after using every trick in the book we could think of, Dallas FINALLY loaded onto the trailer. Over the next few months, Dallas had to learn to load onto a trailer if he wanted his supper. Dallas is now at Star K Stables in Leesburg, Georgia, and has turned into a beautiful riding horse. Norma Karst describes Dallas as "the sweetest hardhead she's ever known."
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Boomer (formerly
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"Boomer is now living the life of royalty with Cathy (Colquitt County, Georgia) who adopted him. Another DCFHR success story! Thank you to all who contributed for Boomer's needs while he was at DCFHR
Lainey will enjoy trail riding with her mom on Cricket. DCFHR wishes Cricket and Lainey many happy hours of trail riding together. |
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Cricket Cricket has found her forever home with 6 year old Lainey in Fitzgerald, Ga. |
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| Donkeys |
"Hee-haw!"
In September 2011, DCFHR was contacted by a local animal shelter: nine donkeys had been abandoned; could we help? Animal shelters are not set up for equines. For the first two days of their stay at DCFHR, the herd would not let anyone get near them, and then… We couldn’t go out in the pasture without having donkeys in front of us, beside us, behind us, under us, on top of us… And whereas horses are QUIET, donkeys are not! They watched the back door keenly. Any movement brought a chorus of “Hee haw! Hee haw!” It was great fun having the donkeys here at DCFHR, and we have been able to adopt out all of them as companion animals and pasture protectors. During the time the donkeys were at the farm, DCFHR caretakers learned new lessons: (1) Donkeys wrote the procedures manual on being stubborn. (2) We had to move the water troughs farther away from the electric fence because when the donkeys put their noses into the trough to drink, their long ears touched the hot wire. (3) Dogs and coyotes best not venture into the pasture. Our research into donkeys (and this is important for anyone owning a donkey): Donkeys may look similar to horses, but don’t let that fool anyone. Donkeys require good pasture and hay but should not be given feed; they are tough animals and every one of the donkeys at DCFHR had wonderful personalities. Donkeys founder easily. Two of the donkeys DCFHR took in had been foundered; their hooves were long and deformed. Corrective farrier work takes months, but the two donkeys that needed this type of care were adopted by people who will make sure they get good farrier care.
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We are pleased to announce that Sundance has a forever home in the heart of his sponsor, who adopted him. Another beautiful ending for a Dancing Cloud Farm horse. |
Update on Sundance…
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.
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Rebel Many thanks to Janice in Grady County, Georgia, who fostered Rebel through the summer and is providing him a safe, healthy forever home. Rebel came to DCFHR in February 2010, and guess what we found out about him….
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From the photos you can see how bad the rain rot was on Rebel.
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Daisy Daisy came to DCFHR as a scared, dehydrated, skinny young mare. |
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Paris Paris now lives in Lee County, Georgia, where she has found a forever home with two young girls who have made Paris their very best friend. Paris loves all the attention. .
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Paris came to us from Terrie in Miller County. Terrie had rescued Paris and had taken this mare through the critical initial refeeding stages and saved her life. Paris is now a healthy 6-year-old QH mare and has found a forever home. She is our Cinderella story for 2010, going from absolute starvation and destined for the slaughterhouse sale to being the princess at the ball. Many thanks to Jennifer who adopted Paris and has given her a great new home. |
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Scout Scout and two pasture mates, a mare and a donkey, were seized by sheriff’s deputies during an animal abuse investigation. Sadly, because of a horrific injury and infection, the mare had to be euthanized. Someone provided a new home for the donkey, which was starved and covered with rain rot. |
We all work together for the good of the horses. Many thanks to Donna in Terrell County who took in Scout on a moment’s notice and took care of him until DCFHR volunteers could move him to more permanent quarters. Scout’s next angels of mercy were Laureen and her family who provided paddock space and a stall for Scout through the winter. DCFHR volunteer Cheryl fed and cared for Scout, fell in love with him, and eventually adopted him! Scout is now a beautiful gelding, has been ridden on trail rides, and is a symbol of what our work is all about: to rescue, rehabilitate, and relocate horses in dire need of a second chance. |
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Bella Bella came to us from Sunkissed Acres Horse Rescue in Summerville, GA, and stayed with us at DCFHR while we tried to find a home for her. She returned to Sunkissed Acres and we hope Bella finds a good forever home where she will be loved and cared for. |
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Phantom PHANTOM HAS A FOREVER HOME!! We are so excited for this beautiful boy, who has been a long-term resident at DCFHR. Phantom cannot be ridden safely and needed a job as a pasture ornament, just a pet for someone to love. Along came Janice who last year lost her husband to cancer. Janice, an animal lover, needed Phantom to help fill a hole in her life.
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(Above: Phantom with his new owner, Janice) We thank all of our supporters who have donated to keep Phantom fed and cared for until a forever home could be found. We could not do this work without you. Thank you from the bottom of our heart.
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Fancy FANCY: One of the first horses that came to Dancing Cloud Farm was "Fancy," a smooth gaited walking horse mare. When she arrived at DCFHR, she was underweight, covered in rain rot, and loaded with parasites. Fancy kept to herself and was at the bottom of the pecking order in the pasture. As she put on weight, we began to notice that Fancy was going to be a mother. On March 17, 2009, after a night of thunderstorms, we found Fancy in the pasture with a beautiful filly foal by her side. We named the foal, "Stormy." Fancy was adopted by Lisa of Lake City, Florida, and has her forever home there.
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Beautiful little Stormy was born
March 27, 2009, after a night of violent
(Above: Fancy with her new owner, Lisa, in Florida.) |
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Gus SWEET HOME ALABAMA! Gus has been adopted by Kim of Dothan, AL, who has given him his forever home. In the few short months Gus was with us his sweet nature captured everyone’s hearts; we were all in love with this gentle giant. We are deeply grateful to Elizabeth who sponsored him and also took responsibility for feeding and grooming him. It takes many hours to take care of a needy horse, and she poured herself into the task. We look forward to hearing great things about Gus. |
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Taffy:
Charger: Mallory:
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Watch for photos and updates as we track their progress. |
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Miracle: Veterinarians use a body conditioning scoring standard from 1 - 9 based on areas on a horse's body where fat and muscle develop. A horse with a BCS of 9 would be obese; a horse rated at 4, 5, or 6 would be considered healthy and at the correct weight and muscle tone. Miracle's BCS was only a 1. Click here to see more photos of Miracle
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Miracle's hindquarters |
Miracle's hindquarters 8/14/08 |
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The little mare in these photos was named "Miracle" by our volunteers because it is a miracle she survived. Miracle arrived at Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Recue as an emaciated, three-year old, covered with rain rot. She staggered, stumbled, and kept her head down. She had a terrible respiratory infection and was so weak that she had to lie down much of the time and could hardly eat. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the doctors and assistants with Clanton - Malphus - Hodges Veterinary Hospital for their immediate care and expert advice in saving the lives of Miracle and the other rescued horses. We also thank our volunteers who gave of their time and offered gentle hands, encouragement, and kind words to Miracle and all the horses that came in July, 2008. The volunteer's simple acts of kindness to these animals gave hope and strengthened their will to survive. Miracle has been adopted and has a forever home in Albany, Georgia. |
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Patches
Patches, now at home in Tennessee, with Chanda. Patches arrived at DCFHR a weak, hungry skeleton, with a baby by her side and another on the way. She is allergic to bahia grass; our options were to put her down or get her north -- we chose north. Sunkissed Acres Horse Rescue in Summerville, Georgia, found her a forever home in Tennessee. Here is Patches, four months after her rescue, fat and happy and safe in Tennessee. Thanks to Debora, Angela, Dan, Lori, and Chanda for saving Patches. |
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| Pistol Pistol information: Pistol arrived at DCFHR with his mother, who was in desperate need of food, water, and care; she was also allergic to the bahia grass of this area of the South. Once Pistol was weaned, we were able to take his mother, Patches (see her picture above), north, and from there she was adopted by Chanda in Tennessee. |
Pistol was full of spunk and mischief, and that' how he earned his name: he was a pistol to deal with. Angie (Lee County, Georgia) adopted Pistol, and he is her blue-eyed baby! |
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Diamond, a two-year-old gaited mare, came to Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Rescue with her mother and her mother's new foal. She had never been properly weaned, and was a wild cayuse with a quick left kick. Her "family" had been removed from an area of pine woods with sand and no source of water. When she arrived, she didn't drink water for a whole day; we were all very concerned. The next day as the water tanks were being refilled, the volunteers were talking and not watching the water, and the tank filled up, ran over, and the water filled a hoofprint. Diamond, desperate with thirst, began drinking the dirty water from the hoofprint, which showed that that was where she had gotten her water before. She didn't know about water troughs. |
Pictured below. Diamond in July, 2009
Over the next 2 1/2 months, Diamond filled out, allowed humans to touch her, and was easily halter broken. She has been adopted by Dee and has a forever home in Brooksville, Florida.
Diamond's Story -
In her own words. . .
Today I have learned to let the halter be put on, mostly 'cuz I love to have my ears scratched. So what if this gadget has to go on my nose? Just keep scratchin'. Now this lead rope business is a little trickly! But if I stop pulling back, it's not so bad and I seem to get a treat every time. (I like having my ears scratched!) And I don't mind her pickin' up my front feet so much, but aren't I supposed to kick with my back feet? I don't think the two-legged likes that very much, but she kept on pickin' 'em up anyway so why not let her hold me up if she's all that fired up about it. I like trying new stuff even when I'm scared, something good always comes with it. Thank you for saving me, Diamond
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Meet
"Shamrock", a filly, born in the wee hours of St. Patrick's Day,
March 17, 2009. Her mother, Daisy, came to us already bred and we did
not adopt her out until Shamrock was weaned. Both Shamrock and Daisy
have gone to new homes.
"Hee-haw!"
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”.
We
have learned in the horse rescue effort that sometimes what we’re told
about a horse and what is reality can be very different things. We were
told that Rebel was a registered walking horse, but from the looks of
him we knew that wasn’t so, and just presumed that Rebel was a regular ol’ horse, maybe part quarter horse, maybe gaited, really couldn’t
tell. He does have a funky trot and the telltale scars of pin firing on
his rear legs. Then there’s that strange brand on his neck… Rebel came
to DCFHR after he was abandoned and had starved through the first part
of last winter. When DCFHR took him in, his feet and fur were in
terrible condition, he was wormy, covered in rain rot -- a sad,
malnourished animal. He is one of those horses that told us right away,
“Thank you for giving me a safe place and care and food.” He was
immediately responsive, cooperative, obviously had been given really
good training somewhere along the line. And then one day a horse
professional visited DCFHR, stared at Rebel’s build and his gait, and
asked, “Have you looked on his lip for a tattoo?” Well, no. Duh.
(Guess what will be one of the first things we do from now on when we
take in a horse?”) Rebel is a registered standardbred trotter…from
Canada! How he got to Southwest Georgia, only he can tell us. His
faded tattoo is difficult to decipher, and we’re still doing research on
him to try to piece together some of his life story. Stay tuned for
more information about Rebel… We guarantee you his real name isn’t
“Rebel”! 
As
she put on weight, we discovered that Daisy was carrying a foal. In the
wee hours of March 17, 2009, Daisy brought beautiful little Shamrock
into the world; Daisy proved herself to be a caring and careful mother
for Shamrock. After Shamrock was weaned and went to her adoptive home,
Daisy began training to re-learn all her lost skills. During Daisy’s
initial training, she showed potential for becoming a steady, dependable
trail horse.
springtime storms. Fancy was an excellent mother; her gentle, sweet
spirit captured our hearts. Thank you, DCFHR supporters, who took care
of Fancy’s needs while she was waiting for her forever home.
Pictured
below. Diamond in July, 2008
