Over the years, Andrea has taken in many horses that need rehabilitation from an injury, or are desperately in need of rescue from a neglect or abuse situation. Betrayed by the people who should have been caring for them. Some arrive in terrible physical shape with their bones protruding, their hooves cracked and curling, and their lives in the balance. Nemo, Patriot, Biscotti...they are just a few of the worst cases. But some of the wounds that need healing are not easily seen on the outside. They are the horses that are damaged mentally. Sveta, Gatsby, Patriot (again), Chanel...through the actions of previous owners, these horses have been taught to fear a raised voice or a hand that's reaching for them. And it's these horses that are perhaps the most difficult to save. Because once a horse's trust and spirit are broken, it is a long and difficult, and sometimes impossible, road back to a place of happiness and security. Here are some of their stories...
Nemo
Nemo came quietly and unexpectedly to Boulder Pointe, but he undoubtedly made the biggest impact of any horse past or present. In January 2015, Andrea went to another farm to buy a pony she thought would be good for the lesson program. While there, the woman asked if Andrea would also consider taking an old horse she didn’t know what to do with. She had put Nemo on another part of the farm and virtually forgot about him…without food, shelter, or water. It had been a terribly cold winter and without help, Andrea knew he would not survive much longer.
Nemo arrived emaciated. His hooves were bad and his teeth were awful from gnawing on the frozen ground, trying to find something to eat. But worst of all, his body was covered with thick scabs (called rain rot) from standing in the weather day after day with no protection. He was immediately given a bath, put on high-quality grain and supplements, and blanketed to keep his frail body warm.
Within weeks, Nemo was thriving. His skin was healing nicely, his hooves were trimmed, and he was gaining weight. But he still looked sad, like something was missing. Just 6 weeks after he arrived, he carried his first rider and his demeanor changed within moments…Nemo had found his purpose again. He became happy and seemed proud to work. He absolutely adored every person small or large, and every person couldn’t help but fall instantly in love with him. His old man whinny made everyone smile and he even found a best friend in a big appendix named Dawson.
Unfortunately, we all knew that the odds were stacked against this brave little guy and he was on borrowed time. That first year he was treated for cancer and had trouble with his eyes. We never did know how old he was, although we suspect at least 30. Sadly, just a year and a half after arriving, we had to say goodbye. Everyone who was lucky enough to meet him grieved his loss deeply. We all take comfort in knowing that instead of dying alone and forgotten in a frozen field, Nemo went over the Rainbow Bridge surrounded by love, with Andrea and Dawson at his side.
You’ll still hear his name when you visit. And it’ll always be said with a smile and an affectionate "Neems"…and possibly a few tears. Because Nemo was the epitome of joy, love, and second chances, and his spirit will always live on at Boulder Pointe.
Nemo arrived emaciated. His hooves were bad and his teeth were awful from gnawing on the frozen ground, trying to find something to eat. But worst of all, his body was covered with thick scabs (called rain rot) from standing in the weather day after day with no protection. He was immediately given a bath, put on high-quality grain and supplements, and blanketed to keep his frail body warm.
Within weeks, Nemo was thriving. His skin was healing nicely, his hooves were trimmed, and he was gaining weight. But he still looked sad, like something was missing. Just 6 weeks after he arrived, he carried his first rider and his demeanor changed within moments…Nemo had found his purpose again. He became happy and seemed proud to work. He absolutely adored every person small or large, and every person couldn’t help but fall instantly in love with him. His old man whinny made everyone smile and he even found a best friend in a big appendix named Dawson.
Unfortunately, we all knew that the odds were stacked against this brave little guy and he was on borrowed time. That first year he was treated for cancer and had trouble with his eyes. We never did know how old he was, although we suspect at least 30. Sadly, just a year and a half after arriving, we had to say goodbye. Everyone who was lucky enough to meet him grieved his loss deeply. We all take comfort in knowing that instead of dying alone and forgotten in a frozen field, Nemo went over the Rainbow Bridge surrounded by love, with Andrea and Dawson at his side.
You’ll still hear his name when you visit. And it’ll always be said with a smile and an affectionate "Neems"…and possibly a few tears. Because Nemo was the epitome of joy, love, and second chances, and his spirit will always live on at Boulder Pointe.
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Patriot
Patriot, a Westphalian, was part of the largest animal rescue ever conducted in the US. The ASPCA took over 700 animals from a "sanctuary" in North Carolina, among them were 49 horses. Patriot may not have been the sickest or most frail, but those at the ASPCA who worked with him said he was the worst. In fact, because of his size and distrust of humans, he was a danger to those who worked with him and was nearly put down because of it. Luckily, someone believed he could be saved.
Still a stallion at 4 years of age, this 17 hand horse was taught early on to never trust a human. The "sanctuary" workers were scared of him and couldn't handle his size so they used a cattle prod (and any weapon at their disposal) on him, including his head. This alone would have been enough to cause mental issues, but pair it with absolute neglect, and you have an extremely large, scared, and defensive horse. That's never a good combination.
When he arrived at Boulder Pointe, Patriot was 300-400 pounds underweight. The weight had to be put on slowly so a nutritionist designed a careful plan. Immediately, Andrea began working on Patriot's mental issues. It took 4 hours just to put a halter on him and no one could touch high on his neck or his face without him reacting in fear. At first, she spent more time outside the stall with him than actually handling him. Because of his size and ability to quickly turn and kick or bite, it was safer that way. But after countless hours of persistence, patience, and consistent reinforcement that he was safe, Patriot slowly began to change. Eventually, he discovered that he loves having his ears and face rubbed. And within 2 months, Andrea rode him for the first time.
He has been at Boulder Pointe 5 years now and his story is still unfolding. Now 10, he's grown even more and towers over the other horses. In fact, he's bigger than most cars in the parking lot, too. He still has weight to gain, but with regular exercise, is developing much needed muscle. He is no longer the malnourished horse that looks as if he could tip over in a strong breeze.
With his new found security, he has become loving, playful, and curious, which tends to get him into trouble. When you're as big as he is, fences aren't much of an obstacle and the blankets on other horses are really fun to shred. But this too is refreshing because it means that he's no longer consumed by fear or the struggle to survive. This beautiful boy who was treated so badly at the beginning of his life, will never know another moment of abuse the rest of it.
Still a stallion at 4 years of age, this 17 hand horse was taught early on to never trust a human. The "sanctuary" workers were scared of him and couldn't handle his size so they used a cattle prod (and any weapon at their disposal) on him, including his head. This alone would have been enough to cause mental issues, but pair it with absolute neglect, and you have an extremely large, scared, and defensive horse. That's never a good combination.
When he arrived at Boulder Pointe, Patriot was 300-400 pounds underweight. The weight had to be put on slowly so a nutritionist designed a careful plan. Immediately, Andrea began working on Patriot's mental issues. It took 4 hours just to put a halter on him and no one could touch high on his neck or his face without him reacting in fear. At first, she spent more time outside the stall with him than actually handling him. Because of his size and ability to quickly turn and kick or bite, it was safer that way. But after countless hours of persistence, patience, and consistent reinforcement that he was safe, Patriot slowly began to change. Eventually, he discovered that he loves having his ears and face rubbed. And within 2 months, Andrea rode him for the first time.
He has been at Boulder Pointe 5 years now and his story is still unfolding. Now 10, he's grown even more and towers over the other horses. In fact, he's bigger than most cars in the parking lot, too. He still has weight to gain, but with regular exercise, is developing much needed muscle. He is no longer the malnourished horse that looks as if he could tip over in a strong breeze.
With his new found security, he has become loving, playful, and curious, which tends to get him into trouble. When you're as big as he is, fences aren't much of an obstacle and the blankets on other horses are really fun to shred. But this too is refreshing because it means that he's no longer consumed by fear or the struggle to survive. This beautiful boy who was treated so badly at the beginning of his life, will never know another moment of abuse the rest of it.
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Sveta
Andrea has always worked closely with Dr. Bowman, veterinarian and equine dentist at Canterbury Park, to rescue racehorses after their time at the track ends. So when he heard about an Off The Track Racehorse (OTTB) that needed saving, he asked Andrea if she would take it. The horse turned out to be an 11-year-old mare that had been through a lot in her young life. She started her racing career as a 2-year-old and over the next 7 years, raced 44 times. Her history gets a little murky for a while before she was found in a disreputable breeding program in need of a lifeline. Left alone in a dark barn, in a stall that was never cleaned, she had nothing to eat, no clean water and a dead foal at her feet.
When Sveta arrived, she was malnourished, filled with worms and traumatized. Her physical problems were easily treated, but it was her mental state that was the most concerning. Little noises or fast movements would frighten her so much, she would stand shaking. She had a deep distrust of nearly everyone, but she had such a sweet nature that everyone loved her. A few months after she came, Sveta became spooked while in the barn and panicked, causing her to associate the barn with terror. She refused to enter it again, panicking whenever she got near the door. In November of 2013, Sveta's life changed with the words "Melissa, would you hold her for a minute."
Melissa and her family had been at the barn for only 7 months when they met Sveta the night she panicked in the barn. They could see the softness in her eyes and her longing to be loved and safe, and it melted their hearts. Melissa spent nearly 2 months trying to get Sveta into the barn. Working with her nearly every day, she would patiently stand for long periods of time while Sveta overcame her fear. Under their care, Sveta began to thrive. It was easy to see with her shining coat, bright eyes and newfound confidence that she had found her home. Melissa brought Sveta into her family permanently in April 2014. Sveta became one of the calmest, most docile horses at the barn. She could be surrounded by children grooming her, and she would stand quietly. She would carry small children on her back somehow knowing she had to be careful to not hurt them.
Unfortunately, her life was not meant to be long. On a beautiful, sunny day in May 2016, Sveta went over the rainbow bridge unexpectedly when she took a wrong step in the pasture and broke her leg. Melissa would have done anything to save her had she been given hope, but the break was not fixable... a devastating loss. Sveta may have gone through hell in her short life, but she came out of it in the end knowing only love, gentleness and peace. She died a whole horse in the arms of her family, not broken in a dark stall alone. She will be forever missed.
When Sveta arrived, she was malnourished, filled with worms and traumatized. Her physical problems were easily treated, but it was her mental state that was the most concerning. Little noises or fast movements would frighten her so much, she would stand shaking. She had a deep distrust of nearly everyone, but she had such a sweet nature that everyone loved her. A few months after she came, Sveta became spooked while in the barn and panicked, causing her to associate the barn with terror. She refused to enter it again, panicking whenever she got near the door. In November of 2013, Sveta's life changed with the words "Melissa, would you hold her for a minute."
Melissa and her family had been at the barn for only 7 months when they met Sveta the night she panicked in the barn. They could see the softness in her eyes and her longing to be loved and safe, and it melted their hearts. Melissa spent nearly 2 months trying to get Sveta into the barn. Working with her nearly every day, she would patiently stand for long periods of time while Sveta overcame her fear. Under their care, Sveta began to thrive. It was easy to see with her shining coat, bright eyes and newfound confidence that she had found her home. Melissa brought Sveta into her family permanently in April 2014. Sveta became one of the calmest, most docile horses at the barn. She could be surrounded by children grooming her, and she would stand quietly. She would carry small children on her back somehow knowing she had to be careful to not hurt them.
Unfortunately, her life was not meant to be long. On a beautiful, sunny day in May 2016, Sveta went over the rainbow bridge unexpectedly when she took a wrong step in the pasture and broke her leg. Melissa would have done anything to save her had she been given hope, but the break was not fixable... a devastating loss. Sveta may have gone through hell in her short life, but she came out of it in the end knowing only love, gentleness and peace. She died a whole horse in the arms of her family, not broken in a dark stall alone. She will be forever missed.
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