Second Chance Stables & Draft Rescue Inc

16/12/2024

Mike & Dennis 🥰

And no…I have no idea what he’s done to his blanket, I don’t even ask those types of questions anymore 🙃

15/12/2024

Turns out No Paws Left Behind has a few more animals still being evaluated, so back we went with more Christmas gifts 😊.

Everybody now has their very own toy, blanket, and some treats ❤️

Of course today’s bags don’t match yesterday’s exactly so I’m panicked that they’ll notice and be upset 🤣

If you can, support your local small animal rescues they need you 🐶 🐈‍⬛ 🐴 🐐 🐰 ❤️

15/12/2024

Dropped off some Christmas presents for the pups and kitties at No Paws Left Behind Animal Shelter in North Adams ❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️

14/12/2024

Long ear PSA ❤️

13/12/2024

It’s National Horse Day ❤️

Thank god for them and all they give to us 🙏🏼

13/12/2024

This means a lot. We really do try to do our absolute best by our horses and the fact that it is recognized by our veterinary team speaks volumes.❤️

We are very lucky to work with many top-notch equine rescues, sanctuaries, and therapeutic riding programs. These nonprofit organizations are so special to us as they are saving horses and enriching human lives in our community. If you’re feeling generous during this holiday season or simply need an end of the year tax deduction, please consider donating to any of the following rescues or therapeutic riding programs that we work with. Here are just a few:

Little Brook Farm
Second Chance Stables & Draft Rescue Inc
Albany Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
High & Mighty Therapeutic Riding and Driving Center, Inc.

11/12/2024

Them-Will there be signs that your fences (solar electric) aren’t working?

Me- (Goes out to feed dinner)…why yes, yes there will…

Meredith…fitting right in ❤️

11/12/2024

Shameful…

10/12/2024

We have had a lot of inquiries about a December Open Farm Day, but it doesn’t look like Mother Nature cares to cooperate.

We have gotten hammered with snow the last couple weeks which makes it a little tough to get around the property safely and more so, leaves no parking in the road.

I was hoping some of it would melt since it was supposed to get a little warmer, and then what do you know, snow and freezing rain.

Time to call it…no December Open Farm Day, we will try again in January.

Sorry everyone I know you were looking forward to it.

As you can see Charlie and Quin are devastated…Pony…he could care less as usual ❤️

09/12/2024

I could’ve posted this yesterday but both Mae and Rose deserve their own post and their own day.

Rest now sweet Rose 💔

Rose was laid to rest on Friday. She got a big breakfast, I brushed her mane, (a daily thing for us since she showed up with it matted) and gave her lots of shoulder scratches.

Rose has been living on 4 grams of Bute a day (for those of you that don’t know, that is a lot of pain medication to use for daily maintenance and not the best choice). It was the only thing that gave her any comfort. Her Lyme results came back through the roof but even if we tried to treat it still wouldn’t have helped her underlying orthopedic and hoof issues. The kindest thing I could do for her was let her go.

If I thought for one second she had any fight in her, my guilt probably would have held on (not that that’s a good reason but it’s the truth), but to look at her on Friday I swear she was begging me to let her go. When Dr Jaynes sedated her I looked her the eye and felt her thank me.

I am so sorry you had to live one day in pain Rose. Rest now. I love you ❤️

Rose’s case will forever be my biggest lesson in this brutal world of rescue and rehoming. She is the first horse I’ve ever had to take back and she will be the last if it kills me.

Again, let me be clear there was no lack of love, no abuse or clear neglect, but definitely a lack of knowledge and that I truly believe can be worse.

08/12/2024

Rest easy Ol’ Girl ❤️

Sweet Mae was laid to rest on Friday. She started struggling when the temperatures dropped and once snow fell it became increasingly difficult for her to get around. She seemed so tired. Normally she’s sprawled out when she sleeps and I noticed the last couple days she wasn’t laying down anymore so I knew it was time. If I’m being honest I was probably holding on a little tighter than I should after Phillip.

She got extra snuggles, some extra treats, a big dose of pain meds early that morning so she could enjoy her last few hours with her friends comfortably, and then we said our goodbyes.

Run free sweet girl thank you for coming into our lives . I love you. ❤️

07/12/2024

Beth had her joint vet/farrier visit yesterday to address her abscess tract and white line disease.

She was a perfect patient and thankfully the tract was much more superficial than we originally thought. Zach was able to cut away most of the tract. She will need one more round of this type of trimming, but she did not require a shoe which is great. Dr Jayne’s shot a couple of X-rays mid trim to make sure we were on the right path and all looked good.

Hopefully the hoof will grow out healthy and after the second round, no more tract.

Good job mama ❤️

06/12/2024

Not sure why I’m getting dirty looks.
I’m not the one that told you to crawl through the smallest part of the fence when you’re the size of a water buffalo🙄

05/12/2024

❤️ You guys are great at this ❤️

03/12/2024

Today is Giving Tuesday. One of the biggest fundraising days of the year for non profit organizations.

Now, of course we can always use some extra help, but today I am specifically asking that you forgo your coffee or dinner out and instead, make a donation to a cause close to your heart.

Whether that be horses, dogs, cats, people, the planet, whatever. Do something kind, in honor of something or someone in need 🙏🏼

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to our herd you can do so below or by using one of our platforms.

Thank you to everyone who continues to like, share, and donate to our cause…rescuing and rehabilitating slaughter bound draft breeds (and a couple of random creatures that need saving too)❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Venmo- last 4 are 5599

Zeffy-
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/2f557835-6212-4489-8475-fecf40140526

Cash/check-
Second Chance Stables
262 Loop Rd
Savoy MA 01256

PayPal- fee charged they no longer have a donation platform
[email protected]
Last 4 are 5599

03/12/2024

Our trainer Jared Renzi has started a you tube channel where he will share his content, training tips and methods.

Let me clear- if you are looking for a one and done, quick and easy, listen to me just because I said so, training method this is not for you.

Jared focuses on the relationship between horse and human. I put horse first because that is what drives his method, the horse.

Don’t get me wrong I 100% believe in being alpha around here and even I struggle with the amount of time it takes to complete some tasks. As a matter of fact Meredith and I spent 25 min running in circles in the dark the other night while I waited for her to “ join up”. While the anxious side of me screamed “are you kidding me, I’ve doted on you for the last 30 days and you can’t just stand still?!!” Jared’s voice replayed in my head “ you’re in it now, don’t quit, these 25min of work will make both of your lives so much better in the long run”.

Guess which voice was right…

I have learned that earning a horse’s respect is a process. It involves everything from paying attention to small cues to their refusal to do something, each means something, oh and yes they do have a right to refuse.

Jared’s techniques are great for those of you have made a commitment to your horse. To better understand, protect, value, and nurture your relationship with him or her. It’s not for those of you that just want to throw a saddle on and ride (although you probably need it the most).

It’s not easy it requires patience and commitment but I know for our herd it has paid off every time.

We are very thankful for his dedication to us 🙏🏼

When desensitizing your horse, the ultimate goal is not only for them to be comfortable in a world of chaos, but to be so assured that they can still 'hear' ...

02/12/2024

I took this picture of Mike (last one)on Wednesday just before the snow came.

He’s a muddy mess but for the first time since he arrived in August I thought wow he’s finally filled out ❤️

Not bad for almost 30 and like 3 teeth 🥰

Proof that no senior horse should be skinny, it’s just a matter of finding the right feeding program and schedule.

Mike has 24/7 access to second cut hay (he quids most of it but it’s good for his mental and emotional state).

He gets 9 pounds of Triple Crown Senior Complete and 1 pound of Empower Boost three times a day at 7am, 3/4pm, and 10pm. (30lbs total daily)

He also gets 1 cup of rice bran with breakfast and then 1 cup of rice bran, flax seed, loose salt/minerals, pre/probiotics, and legacy pellets with dinner.

I also used h**p to help him settle. Animed makes a h**p meal that is amazing for high strung or nervous horses. I’ve used it a few times now and it’s worked wonders. He’s off of it now but it was just what he needed to calm down enough to finish meals and not be worked up all the time.

It took us a little while to get here and I did worry about him but we stuck it out and figured out what worked with the help of Dr Jaynes.

Good job buddy ❤️❤️❤️

01/12/2024

It’s the season 🎄