Written by Colleen Fitzpatrick If you follow us on social media, you’ve probably seen our posts about our current horses available for adoption. These posts include the horses’ age, height, training, and many key details to help potential adopters to find their right horse. However, these posts don’t talk about the horses' state on the day they arrive at Drifter’s Hearts of Hope (DHOH). A majority come in need of good food, vet care, training, and much more. Even if the horses arrive in decent condition, they always need a few good meals and rides at the very least. Every horse that comes through DHOH will have their feet and teeth done, receive quality hay and grain, and participate in our evaluation and/or training program. And like most things, all of these items require funding. Since DHOH is a 501(c)3 organization, that funding mainly comes from fundraisers, grants, sponsorship, and donations from our fantastic supporters. Funding makes it possible for us to re-feed underweight or neglected animals, train young or unstarted horses, and altogether provide top-notch care that helps these horses become potential adopters’ right horse. Our fundraising efforts are varied, but a few of our key fundraisers include: annual tack sale, Art to the Rescue (an art show), and Deck the Stalls (a live auction in December). The newest addition to this list is our Hoedown, coming up on July 13th. Our Hoedown event seeks to celebrate our 5th anniversary of rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing at-risk horses here in Colorado. We will be hosting a party at the ranch complete with a live local band "Blinker Fluid", food truck, a horse trailer photo-booth "Whoa Pony", a bounce house and more to bring the community together. It will be the event of the summer! For events like these, we greatly appreciate sponsorship and donations of any kind, whether it be your time, horse food donations or funds. Your generosity helps us match more good horses with good people!
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Written By Colleen Fitzpatrick In the world of horse rescue, I often hear of people looking for young, sound, well-broke horses for very low budgets. I totally understand – I’d love to get an all-star horse from a rescue. I’d also love to help some of the horses that may not fit the former description, but they fit the latter: they are all-stars. Think if you were a horse, how would your description read? In my case, I’d probably never get adopted. My back bothers me when I wake up in the morning. I have nervous tendencies (bite my nails like it’s my career). I definitely wouldn’t tie well as I can’t sit still. And I have my fair share of bruises and scars. Would you be top on the adoption list? I’d have to guess most people, like most horses, have a scar or two. Yet they still deserve to live wonderful, happy lives. So, I ask you to consider a “wise”, senior rescue horse. Consider a horse that might be a bit older. Might have a bump on his knee. Might need a Previcox pill with his morning feed. Might be the wrong color. Might be a little bit shorter or taller than you’d first thought. Might need a bit of extra grain to maintain weight in the winter. Might need an extra blanket. Might have a heart of gold. Some of the best advice I ever received in the horse world was to look for horses that were good and kind. Good and kind will save you in a bind, beautiful and unblemished will not. Horse rescues are filled to the brim with good, kind, older horses that are just waiting for someone to do right by them. Senior horses can be more life-changing than younger ones. And yet older horses, like many senior pets in shelters, are overlooked. Most people overlook older horses because they’re afraid they can’t keep up, or they’re past their prime, or they have nothing to give. The reality is that these older guys have so much to teach. They’ve been there, done that. So don’t be afraid to take the reins of an older horse and give them the chance to change your life. Drifter's Hearts of Hope is extremely excited to be featured in the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign's (UHVRC) latest video celebrating 10 years of making a difference for horses in need. 28,000 horses vaccinated, $1 million in Merck vaccine donations, 300 equine rescue and retirement facilities in 42 U.S. states helped. Thank you to the more than 900 AAEP-member veterinarians dedicating their time and resources to help.
UHVRC is a nonprofit partnership between Merck Animal Health and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The UHVRC provides qualifying equine rescue and retirement facilities with vaccines for horses in their care, to help protect against West Nile Virus, Eastern/Western encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Rabies, Influenza, and Herpesvirus. DHOH does receive vaccines through the UHVRC and we couldn't be more grateful. The vaccines that we receive from Merck Animal Health help us ensure the horses we adopt out are up-to-date on shots. It also gives credibility to our rescue that our horses are treated just like the top-quality horses you see at a show barn. Here's to 10 more years of helping horses in need! Learn more about UHVRC here: https://www.uhvrc.org/ We are extremely excited to announce that Drifter’s Hearts of Hope was selected as one of the winners of the 2019 Innovation Grant from The Right Horse for THE ANNIE PROJECT! We can’t wait to work on expanding this program - our goal is to partner with all of the 24 dude and guest ranches in the CDGRA over the next year and a half and even potentially grow the program into other States. A huge thank you to The Right Horse for this opportunity as well as to The C Lazy U Ranch for working with us to develop The Annie Project! We are ever so grateful! From The Right Horse - "We strive to inspire and empower groups who are working to help horses in transition. We understand the significance of finding the right horse. Every adoption helps a horse find a new home with a loving family and opens a space for the rescue organization to help another equine. The 2019 Adoption Innovation Grant is being awarded to three organizations that demonstrated the most innovative plans for boosting equine adoption. Help us in congratulating three outstanding organizations for their creativity, innovation and dedication to helping at-risk horses." Learn more about how The Right Horse selected the winners for the 2019 Adoption Innovation Grant here. From neglected and abused horses to young and un-started horses, we rescue, rehabilitate and re-home our horses here at Drifter’s Hearts of Hope (DHOH). DHOH has never looked back since the first 3 horses stepped away from the kill auction, and into our hearts. On July 16th, 2014 DHOH saved Spirit, Clarity and Hope; since then we’ve rescued over 340 slaughter-bound horses, donkeys, mules and even a few calves. Our commitment to such an incredible number of horses, as well as our commitment to ensuring each horse is brought back to health and finds their perfect home has earned the respect of the entire equine community around us. Every pair of boots tells a story and this is ours. In these Idyllwind boots, we will continue to write our story and save as many slaughter-bound horses as we can. Find out how you can be a part of our amazing journey here. This is our "In these boots I..." story, what is yours? Rescue Horse: Pistol Annie
Boots: Tough Cookie by Idyllwind Fueled by Miranda Lambert Written By Dani Ross We consider ourselves to be adoption matchmakers. Horse Cupid, even. In other words, we help good people find their right horse. When you first set foot into the Drifter’s Hearts of Hope (DHOH) facility as a potential adopter, you’ll be greeted with the question, “Tell me more about what you’re looking for in a horse?” While we have already reviewed your adoption application, we always like to get more information in person. That first question is just the beginning. We’ll then walk you through the barn, past each available horse in the barn, discussing your basic preferences as we go. What kind of riding style do you prefer, and what kinds of activities do you want to do with your potential horse? What qualities and characteristics do you look for in a horse? What qualities and characteristics do you dislike? What are your absolute must-haves? What are your non-negotiables? Simply put, we use these questions to help us match you with the best potential “right horse” that will meet your needs. From there, as we pass by the horses, we'll also tell you about them. We will highlight and pause near the stalls of horses that may be a good match. Here we like to delve a little deeper. What could make you nervous while riding or being around a horse? When you're nervous, how do you handle it? Have you had any negative experiences that we should be aware of? Since safety is extremely important to us, we always want to make sure we fully understand where the rider is in their horsemanship journey. We'll then introduce you to the available horses we believe will be the best fit after learning more about you and your horsemanship. We explain what the horse is looking for and needs in an adopter and living situation, what riding styles for which they’d be best suited for (English, western, trail riding, arena work, etc.), what kind of rider they prefer (soft hands, quiet legs, experienced rider, kid-friendly, etc.), and what their deal-breakers and must-haves are. The horse is an important part of this equation because they must match with the potential adopter just as much as the potential adopter needs to match with the horse. Honesty and openness are essential in these discussions. We try to get to know you, your background, and your goals so that we can match them with our knowledge of our horses, their backgrounds, and their goals. Once we've discussed and decided on a horse or two that might be a good fit, we'll ask you to assist us in getting the horse tacked up and ready to go. After we are bridled and saddled up, we head out to the arena. From there we hop on the horse first and take him for a spin, explaining to you what we’re doing with our leg and hand, what we’ve discovered to be successful with the horse, and what we like to do to warm them up. If you like what you see of the horse under saddle, we will hand you the reins and a helmet. You’ll be able to swing a leg over and see how the horse feels. If necessary, we will accompany you until you are at ease and feel comfortable. We will continue to support you throughout the entire trial, providing helpful tips and hints on how to best work with the horse. Through the riding evaluation, we will then determine if the pair is a good fit and if they are we will discuss the next steps in our adoption process. Sometimes these introductions require us to leave our comfort zones, which are conveniently located in a saddle, but here at DHOH, we have found it to be very successful in helping to match the right people with the right horses! 270+ matches to be exact. We were honored to be invited back to the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association (CDGRA) to speak about The Annie Project and give an update to the member ranches. The Annie Project has been selected as finalists for The Right Horse Innovation Grant, wish us luck!!! Horse showing is always an exciting opportunity for riders to test their skills and their horse's too. As a hunter/jumper rider, shows were always one of the highlights of my year. This year, my highlight was watching our riders compete at The Battle on the Rockies in Denver, CO on March 1st and 2nd. Not to brag, but our horses and our riders did a great job. They worked hard, put in hours of time they already didn't have between their jobs, school, families, other animals, and the rest of the world, to prove what we all have known already - rescue horses are show horses too. Colleen Fitzpatrick - Miss Moppet I learned just how important it is to do right by the horse in the show ring. Since I was aboard a youngster in her first show, I wanted to put a few positive show miles on her. Pushing her to the edge to see if we could win wasn’t the right answer in that situation; instead, we kept it calm and comfortable, knowing that we can try more difficult things with her in the future. She’s got plenty of time ahead of her! I also learned about how to best support people in their early days of showing - anyone who talked to me before going into the ring knows that my advice was to relax, trust their horse, and be as kind to them as possible. Kindness, quiet riding and a calm demeanor will always look best in my book! And I learned that Dani Ross and I can get an absolutely remarkable amount of work done in a very short period of time, and should probably go into business together at some point! Dani Ross - Uptown Riding a 5 year old who had (maybe) 50 days of training and who’d I’d only gotten to know two weeks prior, was a pretty incredible endeavor. It’s truly rewarding watching a horse grow from untouched and leery of people, to confidently showing in a coliseum stadium in a short amount of time. Words can’t even describe the feeling of knowing that you’ve played a role in helping this horse become the confident horse he is. It was also inspiring seeing the horse rescue community come together. While we were competing against each other, in the end we were all there sharing our passion for saving horses lives and to show the world what these animals can do when you give them a second chance at life. Each one gave so much heart and trust to all of us during this show even when it was probably sensory overload for all of them. This show was a wonderful cause to bring awareness to the amazing horses at rescue centers here in Colorado. Kyle Griffin - Reba The biggest obstacle was the arena with Reba. She didn't like being in the large arena with no other horses, people moving around and the banners. Reba will do anything Kyle asks of her and she was extremely spooked with the new environment. We feel like we need to take her to more shows, get her exposed to being the only one in an arena and working with her on her anxiety the best way we can. Kyle thoroughly enjoyed participating as it was a great experience for him. Reba and Kyle have a strong bond and he has taught her so much that with time, patience and practice, she could be a great competitor!! Personally, it was a victory to see rescue horses competing at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo. Before I was part of horse rescue, I was part of the horse show world. It always seemed there was an unspoken division between show horses and rescue horses, that the two were oil and water- they never mixed. The Battle On The Rockies was a great step forward in removing barriers to potential adopters. A horse cannot control their past, their future, or their present. Only humans can determine that. We as humans have the responsibility to ensure these, and all horses, have a bright future- whether that is in the show ring, or the backyard.
- Andrea Each year, hundreds of thousands of horses are transitioned from career or ownership. A growing number of these horses end up at risk of inhumane treatment. Led by the WaterShed Animal Fund, The Right Horse Initiative has been developed to unify horse industry professionals, equine welfare advocates, and the broader horse loving public to improve the lives of horses in transition.
The Right Horse Initiative promotes horse adoption as one of the preferred methods of finding your next horse. This unique partnership commits the time, talent, and resources to promote horse adoption through education, training, and public awareness on a national level. Together we will work to achieve our goal to massively increase the number of horse adoptions nationwide. As a partner in The Right Horse Initiative, we’re proud to support a national movement reframing the conversation about equine adoption. Drifter’s Hearts of Hope is working with The Right Horse Initiative to promote equine adoption as well as the bond between horses and humans. We are good people for good horses, and everyone who loves horses has ownership in this movement. To learn more about The Right Horse Initiative, visit therighthorse.org.
We are so grateful to Gina and the Kuttrus family for their dedication and support of the mission at Drifter's Hearts of Hope. #volunteersrule #supportlocalhorserescue #goingaboveandbeyond Let's Be Buddies!
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Meet Morris, a survivor of severe neglect who came to Drifter's Hearts of Hope several months back when he was saved from an LA kill pen. Morris was nearly starved to death before being dumped at the Bastrop Kill Pen in Louisiana during the floods of 2016. At the time of his rescue, Morris had a body score of 1 when the kill buyer saddled him up to "prove he was broke to ride", a cruel and thoughtless act to say the least. But Morris is a fighter, and he survived the unthinkable. Morris was able to not only survive the 1,100 mile trip to Colorado, but in his devastating physical condition and weakened state he somehow also managed to hep protect a young filly (Millie) and her baby (Hopeful) who also survived the kill pen hell they had been disguarded to. Thanks to the help of several wonderful foster families, the “Louisiana Trio” are now thriving. |
Morris is fully rehabilitated, and is feeling great these days. He enjoys a rather relaxed life at the King of Hearts Ranch. But our work with Morris isn't quite finished, as he still needs a home. It is the hope of DHOH that Morris will find placement in time for Christmas as this truly amazing and deserving horse surely has great things in store. Morris is a very sweet gelding, is gentle, and has loads of personality. He will follow you around and just loves attention and cookies. Morris is well broke and best suited for a light riding home where he can be loved on as a cherished life-long companion. | Please like and share this blog to help Morris find his forever loving home this Christmas! After all, re-homing Morris is the greatest Christmas gift we could ever receive. |
Interested in adopting Morris? Please make an appointment by contacting DHOH today! On behalf of Morris and all of the DHOH family, Merry Christmas and Happy 2017!
It's no secret that horse lovers everywhere in Colorado are gravitating toward equine adoption. With the number of unwanted horses skyrocketing, and the slaughter industry finding loop hole after loop hole, there are many people who feel that now is the time to get involved by saving a horse (or two) through the wonderful gift that is adoption.
Many horse rescue groups call Colorado home, and many bring in horses on a regular basis to rehabilitate them and find them forever loving homes. But some people remain skeptical of horse adoption agencies, while others are completely unaware of the horse-crisis that we are all facing.
Today we want to highlight several worthwhile reasons to seriously consider adoption from a credible rescue such as Drifter's Hearts of Hope.
Many horse rescue groups call Colorado home, and many bring in horses on a regular basis to rehabilitate them and find them forever loving homes. But some people remain skeptical of horse adoption agencies, while others are completely unaware of the horse-crisis that we are all facing.
Today we want to highlight several worthwhile reasons to seriously consider adoption from a credible rescue such as Drifter's Hearts of Hope.
#1. You're saving a life, and then some.We start with perhaps the most obvious reason to adopt a horse. By adopting through DHOH, you're essentially giving a horse a second chance at life, and because you're donating an adoption fee, you are also helping us save future horses. Who doesn't like the sound of that? DHOH is the fastest growing horse rescue in the state of Colorado. Drifter's Hearts of Hope has saved 141 horses and counting, since the onset of our mission just two short years ago. |
Many factors come to play in our success and the mass growth we've experienced. Our success can be credited to the many wonderful supporters and sponsors who contribute so much, an excellent well-trained team, and the power of positivity on our side. But perhaps the most important aspect is the group of people in the horse community who support our mission through foster and adoption. After all, those taking home a rescue horse are in turn creating room and financial ability for us to save another.
#2. Your wallet gets a little break too...
Most of us recognize horses as being our beloved and costly hobby. We all know the dent that our loveable furry friends can put in the ol' bill fold. Of course, that's not stopping any avid horse lovers from purchasing new horses here and there. Buying a horse can be fun, and for many it becomes a bit of an addiction! Consider that by purchasing a horse the old fashioned way, your price point is most commonly whatever the current going price is for said horse. For example, it is safe to say that in this day and age, a well broke registered quarter horse with extensive training is costing the average horse buyer between $4000 and $6000, and that's just the purchase price!
When adopting a horse from DHOH, you might be surprised at the kind of horse you can find for a fraction of what you might pay when buying a horse. Really. Just this week we have adopted out two well broke, kid safe horses with extensive training for under a thousand dollars. We've also saved several horses that are registered with papers! Still others come to DHOH with tremendous potential in arena sports like jumping, drill team, and cow sorting. From gaited horses to experienced ranch horses, you are sure to be surprised by the amazing horses at DHOH. We are continuously shocked (like on a daily basis) at how these horses were thrown away like trash. Whether you want a companion horse, or a horse to take out to a play day, we are constantly saving horses of all types, ages, and breeds and our adoption fees won't break the bank.
In addition, your adoption fee is actually a donation, which means that the purchase funds go so much further than those of a horse you buy via private treaty.
When adopting a horse from DHOH, you might be surprised at the kind of horse you can find for a fraction of what you might pay when buying a horse. Really. Just this week we have adopted out two well broke, kid safe horses with extensive training for under a thousand dollars. We've also saved several horses that are registered with papers! Still others come to DHOH with tremendous potential in arena sports like jumping, drill team, and cow sorting. From gaited horses to experienced ranch horses, you are sure to be surprised by the amazing horses at DHOH. We are continuously shocked (like on a daily basis) at how these horses were thrown away like trash. Whether you want a companion horse, or a horse to take out to a play day, we are constantly saving horses of all types, ages, and breeds and our adoption fees won't break the bank.
In addition, your adoption fee is actually a donation, which means that the purchase funds go so much further than those of a horse you buy via private treaty.
#3. DHOH has lots of street cred.
Our program and facilities at DHOH are phenominal and we have several renowned sponsors who back our entire program. Some of these sponsors include companies like Agape Distributors, Cashell Co., and Dover Saddlery. With the help of supporters like the afforementioned, we have been able to build a great deal of credibility in the community, and are known for ideal home placement, honesty, and well cared for horses through our unique program.
All horses that are rescued by DHOH undergo a structured program and evaluation prior to adoption, so that we can ensure each horse ends up with the ideal home. In addition, your potential new horse comes with dental work, chiropractic work, veterinary evaluation, and is up to date on hoof care, vaccines, and de-worming at the time that he becomes available for adoption. This means that you can rest assured your new family member has been well cared for and properly evaluated for you, saving you time and money in the long run. An easy, worry-free process that you can TRUST. How often do you find that when buying a horse?
All horses that are rescued by DHOH undergo a structured program and evaluation prior to adoption, so that we can ensure each horse ends up with the ideal home. In addition, your potential new horse comes with dental work, chiropractic work, veterinary evaluation, and is up to date on hoof care, vaccines, and de-worming at the time that he becomes available for adoption. This means that you can rest assured your new family member has been well cared for and properly evaluated for you, saving you time and money in the long run. An easy, worry-free process that you can TRUST. How often do you find that when buying a horse?
#4. There's a return policy. (Really.)
As much as we'd like to say that our adopted horses always get to stay with their new families, we're realists, and understand that life happens. Sometimes unforseen circumstances arise in which a horse just cannot stay in his new adopted home.
At DHOH we will always take a horse back. In fact, it is part of our contract. We never want to see our saved horses end up in a bad situation, and we are always willing to help an adoption family if life circumstances arise that prevent them from being able to keep the horse any longer. That is a promise we make to our beloved horses and to you, as supporters of DHOH.
At DHOH we will always take a horse back. In fact, it is part of our contract. We never want to see our saved horses end up in a bad situation, and we are always willing to help an adoption family if life circumstances arise that prevent them from being able to keep the horse any longer. That is a promise we make to our beloved horses and to you, as supporters of DHOH.
#5. It's the gift that keeps on giving...more than you know.
Drifter's Hearts of Hope isn't just a horse rescue. We are a horse rescue largely operated by a program for special needs youth who strive to give back by rescuing horses. The members of DHOH are youth with individual special needs, and they work very hard throughout the year baking horse cookies and hosting tack sale fundraisers in efforts to save more horses. These kiddos are amazing, courageous, and have hearts of gold. They love their rescue horses and by adopting a DHOH horse, you're enabling the kids of DHOH to continue their good work in the community. Plus, you'll get THE BEST horse cookies your new horse has ever tried. (We promise). Take Away....Adopting a horse gives the gift of life, allowing you to help save multiple horses with just one adoption. This also creates a chain reaction, helping alleviate the unwanted horse population crisis in Colorado and beyond. By adopting through Drifter's Hearts of Hope, you're helping great kids continue to serve the community through their rescue program. Adoption can get you a great horse at a cost that doesn't break the bank, and allows you the peace of mind that comes with a straight forward, honest adoption process including return policy. You get a new (and awesome) family member who is sure to love you forever. So for those of you who used to ask, "Why adopt a horse?", we simply say, "Why not?". |
Travis Underwood of RanchoLoco Mustangs and Mules shares updates on his 2017 Comeback Challenge draft pick--Warlock...
As you may know, Travis' mentor and trainer friend Justin Dunn chose the legendary "Warlock" during the October ECC draft pick. Warlock is a big, bay horse with little human interaction until recently.
Travis arrived back home recently and welcomed Warlock to Gunnison, CO where he began formal training with this awesome steed mid-November.
Travis shared with his FB fans, "It is an honor to of been accepted to the A Home For Every Horse Equine Comeback Challenge. In November I will bring home a rescue horse that will be with us for 120 days, then will show the bond we have created at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo in March. My passion is helping four leggeds have the opportunity to find their calling and connect with us humans..."
Per Travis' most recent update, Warlock has begun learning how to bond with a human, via natural horsemanship methods as he builds trust with his new trainer.
Travis arrived back home recently and welcomed Warlock to Gunnison, CO where he began formal training with this awesome steed mid-November.
Travis shared with his FB fans, "It is an honor to of been accepted to the A Home For Every Horse Equine Comeback Challenge. In November I will bring home a rescue horse that will be with us for 120 days, then will show the bond we have created at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo in March. My passion is helping four leggeds have the opportunity to find their calling and connect with us humans..."
Per Travis' most recent update, Warlock has begun learning how to bond with a human, via natural horsemanship methods as he builds trust with his new trainer.
We expect great things for this guy, and will continue to publish updates throughout his journey to the Equine Comeback Challenge next spring.
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