At the end of June 2011 I was contacted to help Riverside Animal Services with a hoarder case of 12 Arabians in Anza needing homes immediately. Mares were in with stallions and a picture of little Pee Wee, the worst horse of the heard with ribs showing and bites all over him, stood out as the most in need so I agreed to take him. The little Arabian/Hackney stallion arrived and appeared to be severly stunted, had a poor coat, tangled mane and bite wounds all over his body. Our Veterinarian said he had a broken rib from one of the kicks he sustained while in the herd. My heart was broken upon seeing Pee Wee for the first time. Only 12 hands high, he was so pitiful looking, he looked like an alien horse. In a shocking move, he walked up to me as he was eating his first good meal in his life, fresh alfalfa, and he said Hi! He was incredibly darling...and so so starved.
Ambassador
Pee Wee needed to be fed slowly and we follow UC Davis guidelines for refeeding syndrome of emaciated horses. This consists of several small portions of alfalfa per day for the first two weeks. Pee Wee gained weight as the days went by. We also found he was not halter broke when he arrived, so he had to be handeled prior to having the farrier trim his hooves. He has slowly gotten better and has devleoped a following on Facebook, Pee Wee's Fan Club! He was castrated after he gained weight and vaccinated. Pee Wee is really too small for an adult to ride so he has become one of our Sanctuary and Ambassador Horses. He now occupies a paddock with Nash, my first rescue! Pee Wee is a true survivor of a hoarding, neglectful home. He is the first to greet visitors at FalconRidge Equine Rescue.
Chiara Meets Pee Wee
Pee Wee was in the first paddock when I visited FalconRidge Equine Rescue. He had the gentlest eyes and kindest face. As I walked past he followed me. I stopped and spent a wonderful time with him just being and enjoying each others company he told me about his paddock friend (Nash) and how hard life had been for him. He not once thought about talking about himself, he was there for his buddy. He tried to take my cell phone from my pocket and I smiled and told him I loved him. I felt so drawn to him and so connected I didn't want to leave! When you visit make sure you stop and spend time with Pee Wee - a true Champion!
Written by Nicki Branch
President of FalconRidge Equine Rescue
(Chiara Meets Pee Wee Section-
written by Chiara Marrapodi
All photographs and logo are
copyright FalconRidge Equine Rescue)
Peewee's story - from rags
If you are looking to adopt a horse in your family, contact Nicki Branch at FalconRidge Equine Rescue to visit her beautiful Rescue and the wonderful horses on (760) 742-0285 or visit her website www.falconridgerescue.org.
She is also on Facebook.
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Nicki Branch - President