Five Winds Ranch Rescue & Rehabilitation

11/09/2022

Had to steal this it's so true

“Most horses pass from one human to another - some horsemen and women are patient and forgiving, others are rigorous and demanding, others are cruel, others are ignorant.

Horses have to learn how to, at the minimum, walk, trot, canter, gallop, go on trails and maybe jump, to be treated by the vet, all with sense and good manners.

Talented Thoroughbreds must learn how to win races, and if they can't do that, they must learn how to negotiate courses and jump over strange obstacles without touching them, or do complicated dance
like movements or control cattle or accommodate severely handicapped children and adults in therapy work.

Many horses learn all of these things in the course of a single lifetime. Besides this, they learn to understand and fit into the successive social systems of other horses they meet along the way.

A horse's life is rather like twenty years in foster care, or in and out of prison, while at the same time changing schools over and over and discovering that not only do the other students already have their own social groups, but that what you learned at the old school hasn't much application at the new one.

We do not require as much of any other species, including humans.

That horses frequently excel, that they exceed the expectations of their owners and trainers in such circumstances, is as much a testament to their intelligence and adaptability as to their relationship skills or their natural generosity or their inborn nature.

That they sometimes manifest the same symptoms as abandoned orphans - distress, strange behaviors, anger, fear - is less surprising than that they usually don't.

No one expects a child, or even a dog to develop its intellectual capacities living in a box 23 hours a day and then doing controlled exercises the remaining one.

Mammal minds develop through social interaction and stimulation.

A horse that seems "stupid", "slow", "stubborn", etc. might just have not gotten the chance to learn!

Take care of your horses and treasure them.”

Jane Smiley

28/08/2022

11/03/2022

Everyone keep your eye out please. If found we have a trailer and can return to the owners.

27/02/2022

Update on Cash 🌈

Cash is settling in at and has completed mock lessons and is getting used to the obstacles and loading ramp. He might have even found a new girlfriend in another fijord in the program named Ami 💗.
I’m incredibly proud of our little potato- and hope his journey inspires you to keep going forward.

If you’d like to find out how to support us or Opening Gaits please email [email protected] or head over to openinggaits.ca

07/02/2022

Cash 🍀

We brought Cash to our friends at yesterday for a little trial to learn some new things and help people along the way. We are so excited to have him there to give back and bring joy to everyone.

Cash is a fijord horse- or Norwegian Fjord Horse. They are a relatively small but very strong horse breed from the mountainous regions of western Norway. They are an agile breed of light draught horse build. The Fjord horse is sturdy, strong, intelligent, and has a calm temperament. The Fjord horses are intelligent and gentle horses although carry a stubborn trait. One of the few breeds that are ideal for beginners.

Cash came to us two years ago from a large trail riding operation with a leg injury. As a result he had lost some weight as he couldn’t move around to graze. After the summer off, and a nice stall to come in to rest at night, Cash was doing better. We continued rehab work with light exercise, physio and loads of cuddles.

Fast forward two years and with proper farrier, and conditioning, Cash is ready to take on his new adventure and see if being a therapy horse is what his future holds!

It was like dropping your child off at kindergarten or swim lessons for the first time yesterday- mixed emotions and big hugs. I know Cash will do great things, and I couldn’t be more proud.

If you’d like to contribute to the ongoing treatment of our horses you can e-transfer [email protected] or buy them a kofi at www.ko-fi.com/fivewindsranch2021

17/01/2022

Betty white challenge♥️

Today, if you can, pick your favorite animal rescue and send a donation in memory of Betty Whites love for animals.

[email protected] / www.ko-fi.com/fivewindsranch2021 is ours

but any rescue could use the help!
lenge

06/01/2022

10/12/2021

Miss Maggie loves her truck rides. Yet again I have lost a vehicle to the lady's of the ranch, Maggie tells me that Rosie is her truck now.

She actually sulks if I go anywhere in Rosie without her.

18/11/2021

We did it. The old man and I made a reel

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CWZwl4JjoeE/?utm_medium=share_sheet

FiveWindsRanch🐎🤍 () added a video to their Instagram account: “Sleepy “sweet pea” 25 yo quarter horse 🐴 …”

01/11/2021

Round bale time!!! The herd is very happy Rich put out the first of the bales for them. Sleepy was suuuuuper helpful while Rich loaded the feeder haha!
🌾 With the fantastic management by Rich we made our pastures last from April -November! The herd will now be on round bales until Spring 🐴 and we a praying for a heavy snowfall to support our pastures!

We estimate with 10 horses we will go through 2 rounds a month equaling $360 +
our small squares at $11 a bale and we go through one a day over winter totalling $330 making our total hay bill approximately $690 a month.

If you would like to donate we can accept etransfer to [email protected]
Or www.ko-fi.com/fivewindsranch2021

25/10/2021

Monday mornings got Poppy reaching for the snooze button!!

The wind is howling and I’d rather stay in bed with this little one but there’s work to do so off we go!

Happy Monday to you all! 💕

20/10/2021

Half way through the week!

Sleepy Drifter wants to stay in bed!

Wish I could just stay and snuggle him too.

17/10/2021

Eat.
Sleep.
Save animals.
Repeat.

14/10/2021

Wi******er & Texas are reaching out to our community for some help! They will both need a winter blanket this year, and we are in need of some help! Winter blankets cost around $200 so our goal is to raise $400 to get them good quality high neck blankets to keep them cozy and dry!
Etransfers can be sent to [email protected]
Or you can buy us a kofi at www.ko-if.com/fivewindsranch2021
Like, share send to a friend! I know we can do this together 💙

We are looking for ideas on fundraising events too- message us on what you would like to see!

13/10/2021

All horses get a health check when they arrive! Today Texas had his teeth floated. It’s very important in the older guys especially that going into winter 🥶 we know how his teeth are so we can monitor his feed intake. Texas has the start of periodontal disease and has quite worn down teeth so will need soft hay and soaked cubes/ pellets over winter.

As always if you would like to donate you can etransfer to [email protected] or buy us a kofi at www.ko-if.com/fivewindsranch2021

03/10/2021

So I was listening to a friends story about her wellness plan and fitness journey. I thought I’d share our stories too in the hopes of reaching one more person.
story was about her focus and obsession with a number on a scale. Focused on being less than 150lb and mine was always less than 140lb. We both realized that this isn’t healthy- for our stature or mental heath. I realized this year, in part with Cassidys’ help to understand that I need my legs, arms and back to be a horsewoman. I’m the size I am and my thighs are strong so I can ride and train horses. I have big thighs because of the work I do- it’s muscle baby! It’s my genes. What my husband fell in love with. Why I can work 16 hours and stack 80lb bales 5 high. We both have struggled with choosing a size small only- feeling sad that we needed the large! I was obsessing over fitting into my size 27 jeans. Reality is, at 34 and the fittest & healthiest I’ve ever been- I am 142lbs and a size 29. Ain’t no diet gonna fix that. And I’m not nice when I don’t have carbs lol. That’s who I am and the way I am built right now. I don’t want to feel ashamed for buying whatever size, saying how much I weigh or comparing myself to others. And I’m thrilled Cass is realizing this at 24. Took me 10 years longer to understand that a number in the scale does not define me. That my thighs are powerful. My arms are strong. And it doesn’t matter how many pounds I weigh or if I have to buy a size 6 or 10. I am the size I am to do the work I do and have muscles and be strong. ♥️♥️♥️
Ps. This is August 29,2021. Drifters first ride 💙🐴💙

27/09/2021

Maggie had the best day yesterday! She helped with all the chores, swam in the creek, played with her friends and shared cheese balls!
We are so glad you found us Miss Magnolia 🌸

27/09/2021

🍂168- half our square bales unloaded and stacked in the loft! Other half arriving shortly. We had a beautiful day for it and some wonderful friends to help!!!
🐴This years small square bill is $3800
You can help with this cost by donations to [email protected]
Buy a FiveWindsRanch product- or
Buy us a kofi @ www.ko-fi.com/fivewindsranch2021

23/09/2021

Leopard headband 🐆

Now that fall is here- and in Alberta that means wind! Wore my comfy leopard headband all day doing chores 🍂 and Hanging out with Texas!

Pick one up for yourself- or as a present! Christmas is just around the corner! 🎁

22/09/2021

My name is Maggie and I ate a mouse 😬

20/09/2021

Finished a couple purple satin sets for a lovely lady last week!

Sets are available for custom order!

DM to order a few for yourself, or as a gift! The satin is super soft and non abrasive so it won’t irritate your skin and cause acne. The design keeps the mask away from your nose/ mouth so you can breathe easily.

All purchases go directly to the horses account for hay, vet bills/ medications and ongoing treatments.

donations can be made to: [email protected]

Or buy the herd a kofi at www.ko-fi.com/fivewindsranchrescue2021

20/09/2021

Today was a good day.

Wi******er is the horse we rescued from Saskatchewan in May. Literally racing a meat truck we dropped everything to go pick him up.

When he arrived at our ranch he was so tense, scared and unsure of everything around him. I stood in his stall and cried with him, enraged and so sad with the way he has been treated in his past life. I promised him he would recover.

With 5 months surrounded in loving kindness, patience and understanding, Wi******er trusted me today. And that means everything to me.

Wi******er still has a long road ahead, but he’s so far from where he was just a short time ago.

16/09/2021

“Do you know why you keep going?” Asked the horse
“Because you carry me.” said the girl

07/09/2021

Things have been hectic the last few weeks and last week was like no other. With my day job ramping up to open a new store and second serving job getting busier it’s definitely been a lot to manage; with Rich’s big fall jobs at his work too we have been like two ships passing in the night!

I’m very grateful for the support from my friends and family- and work families too 💕

It’s been stressful times but I see a beautiful future. Thank you to all of you for everything you do for me & us.

When times get tough I just look at these guys and remember why we do what we do. 💙 I find solice in our barn. I’m able to ground myself and refocus & re energize

Mamas boys- always come trotting over to say hi 💙……well…. Jack mostly saunters lol.

15/08/2021

Poppy missed her Mommy 💕

Do your dogs demand your attention? Poppy sure let’s me know when I’ve been gone too long. It’s been hard holding down two jobs and managing to squeeze in time to snuggle with everyone. Hopefully it’s only for a little while- and we can get back to normal soon.

Praying for a snow packed winter & wet spring. Hay prices across the province have increased and while our suppliers are amazing we will still need to feed earlier and donations have dried up too.

We will do what we can to make sure all the horses that come to our ranch are taken care of with whatever they need. Even if we have to run on coffee & prayers.

02/08/2021

Monday Weekly Wishes 💕
May you do what is right for you and others. May you attend to your responsibilities and make time for rest and play. May you listen for what your heart tells you is true and guide you. May your coffee and humour be strong and plentiful and may you find something to hope for even if you have to squint to see it 💕

30/07/2021

I don’t value one soul over another. I do not believe that a person is more important than a horse. I don’t believe that a horse is more important than a dog.
I believe all lives are important. All souls deserve love, kindness and healing.
I do not believe in hate, suffering or neglect. Second chances, compassion and care are where my energy goes.
I believe when humans know better we have a moral obligation to do better. This whole throw away culture must stop. Lives being discarded because they are no longer useful? Disgusting. A soul needs help, healing and love- but it’s too hard so we throw it away? Absolutely not. This has to stop!!!!
We can make a difference. I can’t save them all, but together we can. We can save each other. All it takes is one step.
So for all our sakes, stop fighting each other and do better.

29/07/2021

Last night Tazz got a trim thanks to the best husband and Dad in the world! We are so thankful for Rich being able to trim our horses. 💙

23/07/2021

I think our ducks are like sweet corn