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| Donnie at Auction |
It has been over two years now since we brought our beloved Donnie home from Sugarcreek Livestock Auction in Ohio. In February 2017, Donnie was saved from horse slaughter and brought back to Happy Tails Farm. He was bought for less than $150. Everyone involved knew that he was going to be a project but every now and then, we bring back one that is in rough shape. Once back on the farm, we truly learned how big of a health project he was going to be.
He was covered head to toe in rain rot and covered in what we assume was blue coat, a medicine to help heal it. His tail was riddled with burrs. Our vet, Dr. Jean, determined that Donnie was a 3 on the body scale and that he was only around 3 years old. Luckily, Donnie came to us during that 70 degree heat wave and he was able to be bathed. Layers of rain rot was scrubbed off of him. As the chunks came out, he would wince but never kick.
As he gained weight and started to feel better, Donnie's personality started to shine. We discovered that he was goofy beyond belief and loved Humans. He could have cared less where he put his feet and would trample over everything. Nothing scared him or bothered him really.
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| Three Months After the Auction |
After months of eating and resting, Donnie was finally ready to ride and he broke beautifully. He never offered a buck or a rear. What was more, was that Donnie was comfortable and slow. He had a Western trot that many horses and trainers strive to achieve and never actually make it happen. When he learned how to canter, we were all shocked how lopey and smooth he was.
Now, two years later, Donnie has been a staple in our lesson program. He is leased by one of our boarders's parents and rides three to four times a week. On the trails and in the ring, nothing phases him. He loves the kids and teaches them patience. He makes us smile whenever he runs over a cone or hits a barrel. He is one horse that you can put any rider on and he will take care of them. Donnie has impacted the lives of many kids and it is unimaginable to think of a life where he does not exist. Yet, he was so close to slaughter, so close to dying. Something drew Traci and Ashley to him that day and we are all glad that they saved him.
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| Donnie at Summer Camp |
Too many horses go to slaughter each year and we are trying everything in our power to help. Horses like Donnie, so young without every experiencing life, are killed without a second thought. When looking at horses like Donnie, we can look past the heartache and struggle that comes with rescuing because at the end of the day, it is definitely worth it.
For more information, please visit the Happy Tails Farm & Rescue Center facebook page as well as our gofundme link GoFundme.com/saved
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