For the LOVE of HORSES and PONIES
What began as a sanctuary for riding horses, particularly DRESSAGE horses, some retired race horses, show horses and a few rescue equines evolved into a RESCUE and RETIREMENT home for Horses and Ponies! There was a time that we housed and cared for some of the most talented and magnificent Dressage and Hunter-Jumpers. We had clinics with trainers in the top of their fields, frontline veterinary pioneers in the fields of heart health, hoof trimming, shoeing, lameness, cutting edge diets and behaviorists!
Over the 20 plus years of learning and experiencing first hand results we were more and more drawn to learn as much as we could about equines as a species and not so much a performance animal. As magnificent and breathtakingly beautiful as performance horses can be when their riders and caregivers form close bonds of trust, respect & true understanding the piece that was most enduring & most captivated us was the exquisite language and profound depth of relationship equines inherently and consistently offer.
Doing our best to support the amazing work of 13 HANDS Rescue we have over the years fostered many ponies and horses. Several we have adopted as our own including Pip, Fancy Pants and Snow Baby! We adopted Sunny from Equine Angels Sanctuary and adopted Cameron one of several horses we rescued from a horrifying neglect case
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Sometimes dogs are remarkably able to teach horses and ponies through energy and example just how open and welcoming people can be. They witness a dogs trust when near their people.. their expectation of kindness, respect and the fluency humans have in their body language!
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Rescue dog TJ, afflicted with a seizure disorder befriends and aids troubled horse Emerson to risk friendship and enjoy outdoors
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Just a Few of so many Sweet Moments in Pippin and Kristin's Love Story
Kristin brimming with delight by PIPPY'S unabashed & fearless decision to be in close contact with her! They are in their own sweet love bubble! This encounter carried on to the point where PIP snuggled and explored & gave Kristin a full on hair massage with his sweet little muzzle!!
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Kristin, PIPPIN and Lana sharing a banana
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We are able to and thoroughly enjoy provide opportunities for canines and equines socialize. Lana, the chestnut Sheltie mix was herself a fearful feral at one point early in her life. Now she demonstrates that there are in fact trustworthy human friends how lovely it can be to enjoy their friendship!
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As he has come to trust us and enjoy all his happy routines we have gradually been offering our PIPPY pony more and more freedom.. more options and more choices! He adores handler Kristin, his best buddy! Watch this cute video of Kristin being followed in from pasture by Fancy Pants and Pip!!
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A great idea is worth repeating!
First with our rescue doggie Demitasse who became a superstar on Instagram and now with our rescue pony PIPPY!
So we took an idea from something we've done with our rescue dogs who are fearful of having nails clipped and decided to have a go at it with our boy PIP!! Here are Pip and Kristin playing a game that has intrigued Pippy enough to explore the scratch board staff made so that we could help Pip understand when and how we wanted him to use his feet. This game very might accelerate his self trimming in a fun and positive way!! Our whole approach to our animals is one of respectful engagement , fun and games, trust and relationship building!
This is our first go at introducing the new game to Pip and Kristin is doing a superb job! She and Pip have built a beautiful bond of trust and play! Ordinarily we would position ourselves to the side of the doorway JIC our little pony decided to burst forward.. Kristin and Pippy have a well established communication and amazing trust! We love seeing Kristins smile at end of video!! Next time Pippy scratched his right hoof on his homemade equine emory board! 2nd video is a clip of him doing it a few of the numerous times he did! So much fun!!
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Heres our popular video of Our Demi girl playing file my nails my self thank you very much!! You can watch it on Instagram and on her page!!
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