It's a Boy! It's a Girl!

Recently we told you that AHDF was expecting. Meet our newest arrivals Phoenix and Comet.

Phoenix is a little boy born on August 5th around 5 am. We had hoped to catch the birth on a foal cam to share with everyone, but mom didn't want to be filmed. Sugar was checked at 4:30 and was anxious, but that was nothing new. At 5 am she was checked again and she was delivering. By the time everyone got to the barn little Phoenix was there. Phoenix is a little black Appaloosa colt.

Phoenix's mom is Sugar a nearly 20 year old mare that was saved from slaughter. Sugar came in with 5 other mares that are pregnant and still expecting.

Comet is a little girl from a wonderful mare that we picked up from an owner surrender/neglect case that is very complicated. Comet was born in the pasture of people taking care of horses for an owner who was facing marital/financial problems. Previously 2 other mares had delivered and lost their foals due to the poor conditions. All 5 mares were signed over to AHDF by the owner to have them saved from the bad conditions she had found her horses in. However, it took several trips and legal issues to actually get custody of the horses. In the meantime, Star delivered Comet. Comet was born on July 29th and is an almost exact replica of her momma. Star is a registered Quarter Horse mare.

From the group that Comet and Star come from we are still expecting a foal from one more mare.

If you are interested in sponsoring Phoenix, Comet or any of the pregnant mares visit AHDF's website. If you cannot sponsor a horse consider donating a halter, hay or other needed items on our website.

Meet AHDF's New Mascots

Hannah Montana and Tinkerbell are the newest staff at AHDF. These two tiny foals have a big job, to represent the AHDF as our mascots and later they will serve as Ambassadors and educators on many of the AHDF's issues.

Hannah Montana and Tinkerbell are nurse mare foals. This means that they were seprated from their mothers at a very young age and are being fed milk replacement and special grain several times a day.

The nurse mare industry is a small and little known issue in the equine industry. A brood mare's job is to deliver foals to supply the equine industry. When the mare is from an excellent bloodline or from a racing or show background gives birth they either must get back into shape for the show season or they are immediatly bred back. This means they have to be shipped and due to insurance restrictions their foals often cannot accompany them. This means they need to be nursed by another mare. These less expensive mares are bred so they will have milk and they are seperated from their own foals so they will accept the new foals. Their own foals used to be killed for their skins. Pony skins are used in the fashion industry. Today more and more of these nurse mare foals are rescued by organizations.

Hannah Montana was less than 2 weeks old when seperated from her mother and Tinkerbell was less than a month old. The AHDF decided these foals deserved a chance and they are at a foster home receiving intense care. Now the girls are thriving and developing personalities. Hannah is now nearly 3 months old and Tink is almost 4 months old. They are getting lessons in leading, lifting their feet and learning manners.

Please watch here for future updates on our little mascots.

22 Mares and Foals Saved

The AHDF was recently involved in the rescue of several horses from a feedlot. These mares gave birth on the feedlot, otherwise they would have been shipped to slaughter in Mexico.

The AHDF has 22 mares and foals at their foster home in Texas. Because the mares and foals were exposed to a number of illnesses they are not yet available for adoption. There are a number of expenses related to the care of these wonderful animals and sponsors are needed to cover these expenses. One foal will need hernia surgery when he is older, a few mares are underweight and all need baasic vet care, shots and worming.

Donations for the care of these horses can be made through AHDF. Please make sure your donation is clearly marked for the feedlot horses.